Manager, Creative Music Strategy

Job Description

OVERVIEW & RESPONSIBILITIES:

We are seeking a Manager to join the Creative Music Strategy team! This team is a full-service music-focused group that leads music strategy across Paramount brands. The team partners with content creators to develop the sound of Paramount shows, providing a wide range of music services. Our expertise includes music supervision and clearance, original music creation, soundtracks, music operations/contracting and Music Business Affairs.

The Manager is an integral part of the team focused on Music Supervisor Relations, Music Contracting, Music Clearance and Music Deliverables. The ideal candidate will have experience in music supervision and clearance, ideally in the television series space, and will also have some experience /knowledge of how studios engage with orchestras, musicians and unions when crafting original music. The person in this position will have excellent relationships within the sync community and will possess exemplary interpersonal and communication skills as this role requires effective internal and external partnerships. Reporting directly to the VP of Creative Music Strategy, with a reporting line into the Senior Director of Creative Music Strategy, our Manager will be responsible for the following:

Music Supervision/Clearance Project Management:
• Project manage the external music supervision and clearance process across multiple shows; includes music budget management, overall music strategy, clearance negotiation strategy etc.
• Onboard external music supervisors to the Paramount systems
• Provide guidance during pre production, production and post, working closely with show music supervisor, show music clearance staff, music editor, post supervisor and other show staff
• Step in and handle music related issues on productions as they arise, whether that may be a clearance related issue or sourcing other creative options
• Bring in other departments as needed for legal, soundtracks, socials, press, awards etc.
• Review music deliverables (trackers, licenses, cue sheets, original music files/metadata) for Paramount Productions while managing deliverable requirements for other studios
• Perform music clearance as necessary; working with content producers, quickly and accurately research music copyright ownership (i.e., artists, record label information, songwriter information, publishing information and film and TV distributors), requesting and negotiating permissions, suggesting alternatives, etc.
• Vet content prior to posting/air to ensure that music use is as licensed
• Regularly report music costs to Production and Production Management via tracking grids and proactively suggest cost-saving options and alternatives
• Support and maintain external partnerships including, record labels, publishers, managers, sync shops, composers and agents, to stay current on the latest music releases and emerging talent

Music Contracting:
• Supervising and monitoring a high volume of accounts payable from various music suppliers to various production and studio accounting teams
• Assisting in processing various talent payroll under the following guilds/unions including musicians (American Federation of Musicians), vocalists (SAG-AFTRA), and engineers (IATSE)
• Tracking, reconciling, and reporting actuals/hard costs against music budgets to report Estimated Final Costs and Estimated to Complete costs to various internal partners
• Support and maintain external relationships including artist management, union representatives, composers, music supervisors, talent, and other music suppliers

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
• 7+ years of experience in television/music/entertainment field, preferably in a full-service music supervision or music clearance capacity
• Working knowledge of legal concepts related to licensing and music rights
• Strong negotiation skills

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
• Understanding of the creative and practical needs of creative executives, TV producers, composers, artists, record labels, music publishers, and music administrators
• Effective project management and organizational skills
• Strong written and oral communications skills with co-workers and executives at various levels
• Ability to work independently and to make prudent judgment calls when Director does not need to be involved
• Experience working with music creators and composers on original music creation
• Knowledge of music, its history, genres, and styles, and up to date with current music and key issues in the industry

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Hiring Salary Range: $82,500.00 - 96,000.00.

The hiring salary range for this position applies to New York, California, Colorado, Washington state, and most other geographies. Starting pay for the successful applicant depends on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.

Paramount is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) including disability/vet.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-r13jye-18-227-102-73-42 in your application.