Director, A&R

Job Description:

At Warner Music Group, we’re a global collective of music makers and music lovers, tech innovators and inspired entrepreneurs, game-changing creatives and passionate team members. Here, we turn dreams into stardom and audiences into fans. We are guided by three core values that underpin everything we do across all our diverse businesses:

• Curiosity: We do our best work when we’re immersing ourselves in culture and breaking through barriers. Curiosity is the driving force behind creativity and ingenuity. It fuels innovation, and innovation is the key to our future.
• Collaboration: Making music and bringing it to the world is all about the power of originality amplified by teamwork. A great idea, like a great song, travels globally. We ignite passions and build connections across our diverse community of artists, songwriters, partners, and fans.
• Commitment: We pursue excellence for our team and our talent. Everything in music starts with a leap into the unknown, and we’re committed to keeping the faith, acting with integrity, and delivering on our promises.

WMG is home to a wide range of artists, musicians, and songwriters that fuel our success. That is why we are committed to creating a work environment that actively values, appreciates, and respects everyone.  We encourage applications from people with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.

Consider a career at WMG and get the best of both worlds – an innovative global music company that retains the creative spirit of a nimble independent.

Job Title: Director, A&R

A little bit about our team:

The A&R department at Warner Records is the creative department responsible for both finding and developing musical artists to sign as well as producing artists and driving creative content for all forms of media.

Your role:

Warner Records is seeking a creative and strategic Director, A&R responsible for identifying, signing, and developing exceptional recording artists. This role requires a deep understanding of the current music landscape, a passion for discovering new talent, and the ability to guide artists in realizing their creative vision.  The ideal candidate is a highly motivated and experienced music industry professional with a proven track record of success in artist development and a strong network of industry contacts.

Here you’ll get to:

• Search and find outstanding unsigned artists, artists signed to independent labels, major labels, or international artists who are or may soon become available for signing to Warner Records and present them to our Department and aid in efforts to sign artists to Warner Records
• Actively scout and discover promising new talent through various channels, including showcases, online platforms, industry events, and networking. Evaluate artists' musical abilities, potential for growth, and overall fit with the label's brand.
• Stay abreast of current music trends, competitor activities, and emerging genres. Analyze market data to identify opportunities for new artist signings and strategic album releases
• With respect to any artist for whom you’re responsible, whether they have found the artist or been assigned as responsible A&R person, guide and mentor artists throughout the creative process, providing constructive feedback and connecting them with appropriate producers, songwriters, and other collaborators.  Assist in the making of the artist’s recordings in all necessary ways, including finding songs, co-writers, producers, mixers, engineers and musicians.  Help artists define their artistic vision and develop their unique sound
• With respect to all such recordings, working with A&R Administration to establish budgets, obtain the necessary approvals of such budgets and ensure the recordings are delivered on budget, book studio time, negotiate studio rates, hire musicians, obtain necessary source materials, coordinate all necessary sessions and arrange for receipt of all materials necessary for accepted delivery of recordings to ensure timely releases / ensuring release dates are met (sticking to the release schedule)
• Ensure that all such recordings are acceptable for delivery, including following all procedures established by the A&R Department as necessary for such acceptance
• Work closely with other departments within the label, including marketing (traditional, digital, and viral), promotion, commerce, to ensure cohesive and effective album campaigns
• Develop and manage budgets for artist projects and A&R activities. Monitor expenditures and ensure cost-effectiveness as they pertain to the recording process.