- Job Title: Manager, Brand Sponsorships
- Company: Sony Music Entertainment
- Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
- Job Type: On-site
- Category: Music Industry
- Date Posted: July 17, 2025
- Experience Level: Mid-level (2-5 years)
- Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Partnership Development: Create, develop, and execute partnership opportunities to offset video and content production costs.
- Brand Integration: Work closely with artists and management to integrate external partners within existing Columbia campaigns.
- Client Research & Negotiation: Research client needs, evaluate market trends, and negotiate deal terms with the Licensing team and Business Affairs department.
- Event Planning: Plan and execute artist showcases/listening parties/events for retail/fashion/automotive/sports media partners.
- Pitch Development: Develop pitch decks to promote Sony Music's repertoire to potential partners.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of the music industry, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
📋 Key Responsibilities
- Partnership Development:
- Create, develop, and execute partnership opportunities to offset video and content production costs.
- Find new and inventive ways to partner with external brands across Columbia’s roster.
- Research and evaluate client needs, industry landscape, and market trends.
- Identify and analyze new and innovative exposure and revenue-generating opportunities for artists.
- Brand Integration:
- Work closely with product managers, artists, and artist managers to effectively craft opportunities for external partners to integrate within existing Columbia campaigns.
- Client Research & Negotiation:
- Work closely with the central Licensing team and Business Affairs department on the negotiation of deal terms and contractual clearance issues related to Columbia’s catalog.
- Collaborate with the Branding Agency team in New York and Los Angeles to research and secure potential opportunities.
- Event Planning:
- Plan and execute artist showcases/listening parties/events for retail/fashion/automotive/sports media partners to help promote relationships in support of Columbia’s roster.
- Pitch Development:
- Develop pitch decks to promote Sony Music's repertoire to potential partners.
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will possess strong project management and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks and priorities.
🎯 Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred.
- Experience: At least 3 years of licensing, strategic marketing, or product/brand marketing experience in the entertainment industry.
- Required Skills:
- Exceptional communication and negotiation skills.
- Strong project management and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks and priorities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
- Passionate music fan with broad knowledge of music.
- Previous licensing or branding experience required.
- Preferred Skills:
- Familiarity with the music industry and its trends.
- Experience with event planning and artist management.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a proven track record in licensing, strategic marketing, or brand marketing within the entertainment industry, with a strong passion for music and excellent communication skills.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
- Salary Range: $80,000 - $85,000 USD per year (based on industry standards for role, experience level, and location)
- Benefits:
- Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage.
- 401K with employer matching.
- Company-paid identity theft protection and resources for pets, mental health, and meditation.
- Industry-leading fertility coverage.
- Fully paid leave for childbirth or bonding and caregivers.
- Programs for loved ones with developmental disabilities and neurodiversity.
- Subsidized back-up child and elder care.
- Reimbursement for adoption, surrogacy, tuition, and student loans.
- Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexible arrangements.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location. Benefits are comprehensive and competitive, with a strong focus on work-life balance and employee well-being.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
- Industry: Music Industry
- Company Size: Medium (5,001-10,000 employees)
- Founded: 1929 (as a music label; Sony Music Entertainment was established in 1988)
- Company Description: Sony Music Entertainment fuels the creative journey, supporting a diverse roster of international superstars, developing and independent artists, and visionary creators. They bring imagination and expertise to the newest products and platforms, embracing new business models, and providing powerful insights to help artists push creative boundaries and reach new audiences.
- Company Specialties: Music, entertainment, recording, music publishing, marketing, and A&R.
📊 Role Analysis
- Career Level: Mid-level (2-5 years of experience)
- Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Senior Director of Video Sponsorships within the Columbia Records Video Sponsorships team.
- Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time (40 hours per week) with flexible arrangements.
- Growth Opportunities: Potential career growth includes advancing to a Senior Manager or Director role within the Video Sponsorships team or exploring other opportunities within Sony Music Entertainment's global organization.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential within the Video Sponsorships team and Sony Music Entertainment's global organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
- Office Type: Modern office environment designed to foster productivity, creativity, and teamwork.
- Office Location: Sony Music Entertainment's global headquarters is in New York, NY, with regional offices worldwide, including Los Angeles, CA.
- Geographic Context: Los Angeles, California, United States - Known for its vibrant music scene, entertainment industry, and diverse cultural influences.
- Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexible arrangements, including remote work options for some positions.
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is collaborative and global, with opportunities for remote work and flexible scheduling.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
- Typical Process: Application review, phone or video screen, in-person interviews, and final decision.
- Key Assessment Areas: Communication skills, negotiation skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit.
- Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills.
- Prepare examples of successful partnerships, negotiations, and event planning.
- Research Sony Music Entertainment's artist roster and recent projects to demonstrate your industry knowledge.
- Practice your pitch for potential partnership opportunities.
ASSUMPTION: The interview process focuses on assessing communication skills, negotiation abilities, problem-solving, and cultural fit, with a strong emphasis on relevant industry experience.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
- Project Management Tools: Asana, Trello, or similar tools may be used to manage projects and tasks.
- Communication & Collaboration: Email, Slack, or similar platforms for internal and external communication.
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be proficient in Microsoft Office and comfortable using project management and communication tools.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
- Company Values: Artistic integrity, transparency, and entrepreneurship.
- Work Style: Collaborative, creative, and fast-paced.
- Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Sony Music Entertainment's commitment to artistic integrity?
- How comfortable are you working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment?
- How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external contacts?
ASSUMPTION: Sony Music Entertainment values artistic integrity, transparency, and entrepreneurship, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and creativity in a fast-paced work environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Workload: The role may require managing multiple projects and partnerships simultaneously, with tight deadlines and high expectations.
- Industry Trends: The music industry is constantly evolving, requiring adaptability and continuous learning.
- Artist Management: Balancing the needs and expectations of artists, management, and external partners can be challenging.
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be able to manage multiple projects and adapt to industry trends, with strong communication and negotiation skills to navigate potential challenges.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Responsibilities: This role focuses on partnership development and brand integration, while similar roles may focus more on artist management, creative direction, or marketing strategy.
- Industry Context: The music industry is highly competitive, with a strong emphasis on creativity, innovation, and adaptability.
- Career Path: This role offers growth opportunities within the Video Sponsorships team or other departments within Sony Music Entertainment.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities for partnership development and brand integration within the music industry, with potential for career growth and advancement.
📝 Sample Projects
- Partnership Development: Securing a sponsorship deal with a major retailer to offset production costs for an artist's music video.
- Brand Integration: Collaborating with an automotive brand to create a co-branded event featuring an artist's exclusive performance.
- Event Planning: Organizing a private listening party for industry executives to showcase an upcoming album release.
ASSUMPTION: Sample projects demonstrate the diverse range of responsibilities and opportunities within this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Role Responsibilities: How would you prioritize and manage multiple partnership opportunities and projects simultaneously?
- Team Structure: How do the Video Sponsorships and Branding Agency teams collaborate, and how would you ensure effective communication between them?
- Company Culture: How does Sony Music Entertainment support and foster creativity and innovation within its teams?
- Growth Opportunities: What opportunities exist for professional development and career growth within the Video Sponsorships team and Sony Music Entertainment as a whole?
- Work Environment: How does the company accommodate work-life balance and employee well-being, particularly for employees working in a fast-paced environment?
ASSUMPTION: Interview questions focus on understanding the role's responsibilities, team dynamics, company culture, growth opportunities, and work-life balance.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
- To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the provided link.
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills.
- Prepare examples of successful partnerships, negotiations, and event planning.
- Research Sony Music Entertainment's artist roster and recent projects to demonstrate your industry knowledge.
- Practice your pitch for potential partnership opportunities.
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application, inquiring about the status of your application and expressing your continued interest in the role.
- If invited to interview, be prepared to discuss your relevant experience, skills, and enthusiasm for the role, as well as your understanding of Sony Music Entertainment's artist roster and recent projects.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
