Senior Director, Merchandising – UMG Stores

We are UMG, the Universal Music Group. We are the world’s leading music company. In everything we do, we are committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship. We own and operate a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries. We identify and develop recording artists and songwriters, and we produce, distribute and promote the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music to delight and entertain fans around the world.
 

How we LEAD:

Universal Music Group is seeking a strategic and commercially driven Senior Director of Merchandising to lead product strategy and assortment planning for UMG Stores. This role will define and execute a cohesive merchandising vision that aligns with Universal’s global priorities, label initiatives, and artist activity, including album releases and tour cycles.

The Senior Director will be responsible for curating compelling, profitable assortments that reflect both artist brand integrity and the preferences of the New York consumer. This role requires a strong balance of strategic planning, creative merchandising, and financial discipline, with a focus on driving retail performance while delivering a best-in-class fan experience.

This role serves as the central merchandising lead for UMG Stores, bridging global product strategy with localized retail execution. The Senior Director partners closely with Famehouse to leverage existing artist merchandise while ensuring assortments are curated specifically for the physical retail environment and NYC consumer.

How you’ll CREATE:

• Establish a clear merchandising strategy for UMG Stores that aligns with global priorities while resonating with local consumers.

• Translate artist moments, label priorities, and cultural trends into commercially successful in-store assortments.

• Drive profitable growth through disciplined assortment planning, pricing strategy, and inventory management.

• Build strong partnerships across labels, Famehouse, and internal teams to ensure seamless product integration and execution.

Merchandising Strategy & Assortment Leadership

• Define and execute the overall merchandising strategy for UMG Stores, aligning to Universal, label, and artist priorities.

• Develop seasonal and event-driven assortment plans tied to key artist moments, including album releases, tours, and cultural events.

• Curate a balanced assortment across categories (apparel, accessories, physical music, collectibles) that drives both revenue and brand storytelling.

• Ensure assortments are tailored to the NYC consumer, incorporating local trends, tourism dynamics, and cultural relevance.

Artist & Label Integration

• Partner closely with labels and artist teams to align merchandising plans with release calendars and marketing priorities.

• Work with Famehouse to identify and integrate relevant products from existing artist merchandise lines into store assortments.

• Identify opportunities for exclusive or localized product offerings that enhance the in-store experience.

Financial Performance & Planning

• Own revenue, margin, and inventory performance for UMG Stores.

• Establish pricing strategies and assortment frameworks that balance accessibility, premium offerings, and profitability.

• Partner with planning and finance teams to forecast demand, manage inventory levels, and optimize sell-through.

• Monitor performance and adjust assortments based on sales trends and consumer insights.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Execution

• Partner with Retail Operations, Marketing, Creative, and Visual Merchandising teams to deliver cohesive in-store experiences.

• Ensure product storytelling and visual presentation align with merchandising strategy and artist narratives.

• Drive execution of product launches, in-store activations, and key retail moments.

Market & Consumer Insight

• Leverage sales data, consumer insights, and market trends to inform merchandising decisions.

• Maintain a strong understanding of the NYC retail landscape, including competitive positioning and consumer behavior.

• Continuously evolve assortment strategies to reflect emerging trends and fan preferences.

Bring your VIBE:

• 10–15+ years of experience in merchandising, buying, or retail strategy within music, fashion, lifestyle, or consumer products.

• Proven ability to develop and execute retail merchandisin