Title: Vice President, A&R, Asia
Locations: HKG – Kowloon
Time type: Full time
This role will be based in Asia, however we can support relocation and welcome applications from individuals currently based elsewhere but with some knowledge of the local markets.
Key purpose of role
- Partner with the Regional Management Team, Managing Directors and A&R teams of affiliates in Asia to develop A&R strategies, in alignment with WMG strategies
- Maximize communication and partnership among the A&R network in Asia
- Create unique and specialized networking and collaboration platforms which connect Warner Music artists and allow them to inspire each other with their creativity and ideas
- Leverage our powerful global A&R network to build a creative community around our artists, and help them to create the best music
- Support local teams in repertoire curation and artist development of domestic artists, with a focus on global export for top priority domestic signings
Responsibilities
- Manage quarterly domestic roster reviews market-by-market to drive roster development, domestic P&L optimization, and music genre strategy
- Manage Asia A&R network and encourage stronger collaboration and intra-team communication by having regular team meetings to discuss ideas and opportunities
- Direct artist negotiation strategy in partnership with local MDs and A&R heads to secure high-profile signings and label-friendly terms on behalf of company
- Support local A&R staff in discovering and identifying exciting artist talent vis-à-vis both traditional on-ground outreach, as well as online digital artist discovery methods (e.g. Sodatone, Chartmetric)
- Facilitate cross-border business opportunities for high priority affiliate signings via music collaborations, content collaborations, live showcases, and other performance-related activations
- Consult for global label partners within Warner Music ecosystem about how to unlock opportunities in Asian markets for key international signings
- Together with local A&R teams, work closely with artists to shape the music, develop their sound and image, and support the artists during the recording process. (e.g. Chaperone superstar artists on recording trips to LA / Stockholm)
- Liaise with Global Marketing and Regional New Business, Brand Partnerships, and Sync Licensing teams to develop domestic business capabilities and ensure maximum exposure for WM Asia wholly-owned and distributed artists on both new and existing platforms
- Oversee A&R recruitment, training, and team structuring across Asia affiliate offices in close partnership with local MD and HR managers
- Organize Annual Asia A&R Conference to bring together people from all different geographical areas to learn beyond their local workplace, exchange ideas and initiatives, and explore collaboration opportunities
- Organize international songwriting sessions with world-class producers for top priority domestic artists in Asia
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Deep knowledge of musical trends, movements and styles – with particular focus on Asian music
- Excellent internal & external networking skills involving building relationships, maintaining frequent communication, eliciting high-quality song demos and business opportunities for our artists
- Strong analytical skills involving chart analysis, spreadsheets, pivot tables, and market research
- Familiarity with artist contracts, publishing clearance, songwriter splits, production agreements, and negotiating deal terms
- Professional experience with key global digital music platforms (Spotify, Apple, YouTube, Amazon, Joox, etc)
- Ability to work independently as well as interface with a variety of departments and individuals
- Fast paced work environment requiring strong multitasking skills, excellent time management, with ability to prioritize workload, and meet deadlines
- Familiarity with A&R budgets, financial reports and accounting specs
- Highly organized with a strong attention to detail and follow up, & able to work in a team environment
- Excellent interpersonal skills, strategic thinker & results-oriented
- Excellent communication skills (both written and oral)
- Fluent in English. Additional Asian languages such as Mandarin, Korea, Japanese or Thai would be advantageous
This position requires a strong understanding of the regional landscape and an existing network, as well as the ability to spot and cultivate new talent, and a proven track record in A&R and/or business development within the music industry
WMG is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to its employees and applicants for employment to ensure that individuals with disabilities enjoy equal access to all employment opportunities.
If you are an applicant who needs an accommodation due to a disability in order to complete an employment application, to use or access www.wmg.com/careers or during any phase of the hiring process, please contact us at Talent.Asia@warnermusic.com with the subject line: “Disability Accommodation Request”. Emails unrelated to accommodation requests will not be addressed.
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