Head of UK - London, United Kingdom - Warner Music Group

Description

Head of UK & International Royalties

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 know that each talent makes our collective bolder and brighter. We are guided by four core principles that underpin everything we do across all our diverse businesses:

• Music is Everything : Music is our passion, and we can never get enough. Tastes, trends, and tech will change, but great artists and songwriters will always be our driving force.
• Global Growth, Local Expertise : Music is a global language. Through communication and collaboration, our success can come from anywhere and translate everywhere.
• Innovation and Insight : Pushing the boundaries requires the best information and the boldest imagination. We use both to create the future.
• Empowered by People : Like the artists we serve and the music they make, our differences make us stronger. This is a place where every talent can belong and build a career.

We remain committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We know it fosters a culture where you can truly belong, contribute, and grow. We encourage applications from people of any age, gender identity, sex or sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, disability, and any other protected characteristic or identity.

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:Head of UK & International Royalties

Your role:

This is a key leadership role in the UK Shared Service Centre managing artist royalties and licensing, synchronization and broadcasting income within the renowned Warner Music Group UK operations, and a key support for International affiliates. Responsible for orchestrating accurate and timely accounting practices while ensuring compliance with contractual agreements. Adept at fostering collaborative relationships with artists, licensors, and internal stakeholders to uphold the highest standards of service delivery. Seasoned in driving operational efficiency, overseeing complex audits, and spearheading transformative IT and process improvement initiatives.

This position will require being in the office 4 days a week. We believe that an in-office presence is critical for talent development, collaboration and building strong relationships.

Here you'll get to:

• Delivery of accurate and timely accounting for all UK contracted artists and licensors in accordance with contractual terms
• Review royalty accountings prepared by the team for accuracy and completeness, liaising with Legal and Finance to address approval queries
• Manage external artist audits, from liaison with auditors to negotiating settlements, while maintaining proactive communication with Warner Music business units and ensuring provisions are updated and accurate
• Manage the direct contact of the team with Artists and their representatives. Ensure swift and transparent resolution of complex queries for high profile artists.
• Play a pivotal role in the development of the in-house Royalty System (WARS), actively contributing to its enhancement and optimization
• Provide hands-on support during the transition of sales flow processes, safeguarding SOX controls and ensuring seamless royalty accounting.
• Offer expert guidance and training to WMG affiliates utilizing the WARS royalty system, ensuring proficiency and alignment with best practices.
• Strategically plan and execute resource allocation for third-party licensing and synchronization statement collection and processing, optimizing revenue streams and ensuring timely processing
• Drive data collection processes for the PPL Global Repertoire Database project, maximizing broadcasting income revenues
• Identify and oversee opportunities for auditing third-party licensees, collaborating with contracted audit partners to ensure compliance
• Lead IT development initiatives to streamline manual processes, leveraging technology for enhanced operational efficiency.
• Motivate and manage the immediate team within budgetary constraints, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement
• Facilitate ongoing training and development initiatives to empower the team
• Support the Royalties Finance Manager in the royalty liquidation process
• Manage reporting of all royalty income/cost postings as per interfaces with the financials
• Support the global project team in the transition from GFS to SAP ensuring seamless integration and accuracy of core financial data
• Uphold a controls-led environment consistent with internal SOX guidelines, prioritizing compliance and risk mitigation
• Approve royalty payments with key focus on high value and priority artists
• Provide periodic and ad-hoc reporting to the business as required, using initiative to ensure the correct data is shared in the most efficient manner
• Collaborate with the Royalty Support Team to develop departmental guidelines and conduct ongoing reviews of systems, procedures, and processes to drive operational excellence.

About you:

Demonstrated Team Leadership: Proven track record of leading and motivating teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Exhibits maturity in handling personnel matters and inspires team members to achieve their full potential. Minimum of 7+ years in a management role showcasing impactful leadership

• Effective Communication Skills: Proficient in written and oral communication, with the ability to articulate complex concepts clearly and concisely. Capable of engaging with senior management, auditors, and artists/artist representatives with professionalism and tact.

• Exceptional Multi-Tasking Abilities : Demonstrates the ability to manage multiple priorities, issues, and reporting requirements simultaneously, maintaining a high level of organization and attention to detail.

• Media/Music Industry Expertise: Prior experience in royalties within the media/music industry for a minimum of 5 years, with a comprehensive understanding of royalty processes and regulations, industry bodies (e.g. MCPS/PRS Alliance, BPI, PPL, VPL, etc.)

• Adaptability and Deadline Management: Thrives in a fast-paced environment, adept at working under pressure and meeting tight deadlines. Exhibits a flexible attitude towards work

• High level knowledge of Google office suite (pr Microsoft Office suite), specifically Excel/sheets and Word/Docs, enabling efficient data analysis, reporting, and communication.

• Royalty Systems Experience : Prior experience with royalty systems, demonstrating proficiency in leveraging technology to streamline processes and enhance operational efficiency

• Financial Reporting Software Knowledge : Familiarity with nominal ledger systems and reporting software, facilitating accurate financial reporting and analysis

About us:

As the home to Asylum, Atlantic, East West, Elektra, FFRR, Fueled by Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Warner Records, Warner Classics, and several other of the world's premier recording labels, Warner Music Group champions emerging artists and global superstars alike. And our renowned publishing company, Warner Chappell Music, represents genre-spanning songwriters and producers through a catalogue of more than one million copyrights worldwide. Redefining what it means to be a music company in the 21st century, our consumer brands include trend-setters like UPROXX, Songkick, HipHopDX, and EMP. We're the home to WMX – the next generation services division that connects artists with fans and amplifies brands in creative, immersive, and engaging ways – and Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA) – the ground-breaking global distribution company for independent artists and labels.

Together, we are Warner Music Group: Music With Vision & Voice.

Love this job and want to apply?

Click the "Apply" link at the top of the page, or apply directly with your LinkedIn. Applying with LinkedIn will import all of the information you put in your profile, but will still allow you to upload a resume and cover letter.

Don't be discouraged if you don't hear from us right away. We're taking our time to review all resumes, and to find the best people for WMG.

Thanks for your interest in working for WMG. We love it here, and think you will, too.

WMG is committed to inclusion and diversity in all aspects of our business. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and will evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, religion or belief, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, disability, pregnancy, childbirth or any other characteristic protected by law.