📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Manager, Brand Partnerships
🔹 Company: Universal Music Group
🔹 Location: Santa Monica, California
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Brand Partnerships / Brand Management
🔹 Date Posted: July 2, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (2-5 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing strategic marketing partnerships with brands and agencies
- Managing relationships and executing campaigns
- Collaborating with agency partners and label counterparts
- Creating multi-artist partnership platforms
- Driving new business process from concept to execution
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of the music industry and brand/agency space, as well as excellent communication and organizational skills.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Developing strategic marketing partnerships that mutually benefit both artist and brand
✅ Responsible for brand relationship development, strategic pitches, and campaign execution
✅ Collaborating with agency partners to define opportunities tailored to each artist opportunity
✅ Developing multi-artist partnership platforms that extend across a prolonged period of time and multitude of artists
✅ Creating program P&L to maximize profitability and measure ROI
✅ Managing efforts between label counterparts and artist management teams to ensure optimal execution of programs
✅ Proactively communicating with brand, agency, property, and media to explore ongoing opportunities
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of multitasking and requires the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field
Experience: 2-5 years of experience in strategic marketing, brand partnerships, or a related role within the music or entertainment industry
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in strategic/partnership marketing
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines
- Self-starter with initiative to make cold calls
- Professional demeanor in dealing with clients and co-workers
- Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications
- Familiarity with Adobe software
- Ability to travel as needed for partner meetings
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in media, entertainment, brand, and/or agency industries
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in brand partnerships or business development within the music industry are strongly encouraged to apply.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $80,000 - $120,000 per year (based on industry standards for mid-level brand partnership roles in Los Angeles)
Benefits:
- Competitive compensation package
- Flexible paid time off
- Paid holidays and winter break
- Wellness Fridays
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Student loan repayment assistance and tuition reimbursement
- Employee assistance program
- Annual well-being allowance
- 100% coverage for out-patient mental health services
- Lifetime fertility support allowance
- Generous paid parental leave
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Universal Music Group is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries.
Company Size: Universal Music Group has 10,001+ employees globally, with a large presence in Santa Monica, California.
Founded: Universal Music Group was founded in 1934 and has since grown into a global powerhouse in the music industry.
Company Description:
- Universal Music Group (UMG) is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries.
- UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world.
- UMG's labels include A&M Records, Astralwerks, Blue Note Records, Capitol Christian Music Group, Capitol Records, and many more.
Company Specialties:
Company Website: Universal Music Group
ASSUMPTION: Universal Music Group's extensive global presence and vast catalog of recordings and songs provide a unique opportunity for brand partners to reach a wide audience.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-Senior Level (2-5 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Senior Director of Strategic Marketing.
Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with the possibility of occasional remote work for partner meetings.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to work with high-profile artists and brands
- Opportunity to develop and execute large-scale marketing campaigns
- Possibility to advance to a senior-level role within the Strategic Marketing team
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work with a diverse range of artists and brands, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Universal Music Group's headquarters in Santa Monica, California, features a modern, collaborative work environment.
Office Location(s): 2220 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, California 90401
Geographic Context:
- Santa Monica is a coastal city in Los Angeles County, known for its beaches, mountains, and vibrant arts scene.
- The city is home to numerous tech and entertainment companies, providing ample networking opportunities.
- Santa Monica offers a diverse range of housing options, from beachfront properties to urban lofts and suburban family homes.
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with occasional remote work for partner meetings.
ASSUMPTION: Santa Monica's coastal location and vibrant arts scene provide an ideal work-life balance for employees.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application review
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
- Final interview with key stakeholders
- Background check and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and business development skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Industry knowledge and understanding of brand partnerships
- Organizational and time management skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of successful brand partnerships or marketing campaigns you've executed
- Research Universal Music Group and the Strategic Marketing team to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its goals
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company culture
ATS Keywords: Strategic Marketing, Brand Partnerships, Business Development, Marketing Campaigns, Artist Management, Agency Relationships, A&R, Music Industry, Entertainment Industry
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should tailor their resumes and cover letters to highlight relevant experience and skills, and prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and technologies is preferred, but not required, as training will be provided.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Artistry
- Innovation
- Entrepreneurship
- Collaboration
- Diversity
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Creative and innovative
- Team-oriented and collaborative
- Results-driven and proactive
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you approach building and maintaining relationships with brands and agencies?
- Can you provide an example of a successful marketing campaign you've executed, and how you measured its success?
- How do you prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should assess their cultural fit with Universal Music Group's values and work style before applying.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Dealing with demanding clients and tight deadlines
- Navigating a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
- Occasional travel for partner meetings
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to manage multiple projects, meet tight deadlines, and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to Brand Partnership Manager or Business Development Manager positions in the music or entertainment industry.
- However, this role is unique in its focus on strategic marketing partnerships within the music industry.
- Career path comparison: This role can lead to senior-level positions within the Strategic Marketing team or other departments within Universal Music Group.
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should research similar roles and career paths within the music and entertainment industry to understand the unique aspects of this role.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a strategic marketing partnership between a major artist and a global brand
- Executing a multi-artist partnership platform for a major music festival
- Creating a targeted marketing campaign for an upcoming album release
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to discuss their experience with similar projects and provide specific examples of their work.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does this role collaborate with other departments within Universal Music Group?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare for them?
- How does Universal Music Group support the growth and development of its employees?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how are they measured?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer, demonstrating their interest in the role and the company.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of successful brand partnerships or marketing campaigns you've executed
- Research Universal Music Group and the Strategic Marketing team to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its goals
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company culture
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
