Commercial Director | Music Rights & Licensing
London
Hybrid
135-155k
We're partnering exclusively with one of the UK's most influential music rights organisations to appoint a Commercial Director.
This is a unique opportunity to join a business operating at the heart of the UK music industry, representing tens of thousands of music publishers, songwriters and composers through the licensing, administration and collection of music rights revenues across the UK and internationally.
Our client is entering a pivotal phase of growth and transformation. With significant investment in commercial capability, technology, data and licensing innovation, they are seeking an experienced commercial leader to help shape the future direction of the organisation and drive long-term value for rights holders and stakeholders alike.
Reporting directly to the CEO and forming part of the senior leadership team, the Commercial Director will lead the organisation's commercial strategy, licensing framework, revenue growth agenda and industry partnerships during an exciting period of evolution.
The Opportunity
As Commercial Director, you will take ownership of the commercial and licensing strategy, ensuring the organisation continues to deliver fair, transparent and commercially effective rights management solutions while identifying new opportunities for growth across an increasingly complex and evolving music ecosystem.
You will work closely with senior stakeholders across the music industry, including publishers, rights holders, digital platforms, broadcasters, collective management organisations and international partners.
Key responsibilities will include:
Commercial Strategy & Revenue Growth
* Define and deliver the commercial strategy across music rights licensing and administration.
* Identify and develop new revenue opportunities across emerging media, digital services, gaming, user-generated content and international markets.
* Lead pricing strategy, commercial modelling and licensing framework development.
* Drive long-term commercial planning to support sustainable growth.
* Champion data-led decision making through analytics, reporting and market insight.
* Develop new licensing products, commercial propositions and strategic partnerships.
Licensing Leadership & Industry Partnerships
* Build and maintain senior-level relationships across the music rights and licensing landscape.
* Lead the negotiation of complex commercial agreements, licensing arrangements and strategic partnerships.
* Represent the organisation within industry forums, consultations and stakeholder groups.
* Collaborate with publishers, rights holders and international partners to strengthen commercial outcomes and industry impact.
Governance, Compliance & Performance
* Oversee commercial governance, compliance and performance management.
* Provide clear strategic and commercial reporting to the CEO and Board.
* Ensure commercial decisions align with governance requirements, stakeholder interests and organisational objectives.
Leadership & Team Development
* Build, lead and develop a high-performing commercial and licensing function.
* Foster a collaborative, commercially focused and performance-driven culture.
* Drive capability development and create a best-in-class commercial operation.
About You
We're keen to speak with senior commercial leaders who bring experience from music rights, music publishing, copyright licensing, collective management, intellectual property or similarly rights-driven sectors.
You are likely to demonstrate:
* Significant commercial leadership experience within a rights-based or licensing-focused environment.
* Strong understanding of copyright, licensing structures and royalty flows.
* Experience negotiating complex, high-value commercial agreements.
* Excellent commercial, financial and analytical skills.
* A track record of building trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
* Experience operating within regulated, membership-led or governance-driven organisations.
* Confidence influencing at executive and Board level.
* Experience building teams, functions and commercial capability from the ground up.
Why This Role?
Opportunities to step into a role of this significance within the music industry are exceptionally rare.
This position offers the chance to influence the future of a nationally significant organisation, helping shape how music rights are licensed, managed and commercialised in an increasingly digital and global marketplace.
The successful candidate will join an organisation with a clear purpose, a strong industry reputation and an ambitious vision for the future.
In return, our client offers:
* Competitive salary package
* Hybrid and flexible working
* Generous annual leave entitlement
* Pension contribution
* Income protection and critical illness cover
* Life assurance benefits
* Ongoing professional development opportunities
Diversity & Inclusion
Our client is committed to building a workplace that reflects the diversity of the creators, rights holders and communities it serves. Applications are welcomed from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, and the organisation is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.