Overview
At Warner Music Group, we are a global collective of music makers and music lovers, tech innovators and inspired entrepreneurs, game-changing creatives and passionate team members. We turn dreams into stardom and audiences into fans. We value curiosity, collaboration, and commitment as our core principles guiding our diverse businesses. We encourage applications from people with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. Consider a career at WMG and join an innovative global music company that retains the creative spirit of a nimble independent.
Job Title: Senior Commercial Manager (Physical)
The Senior Commercial Manager will work alongside the Head of Commercial Revenue to lead the development and execution of commercial strategies to maximize revenue and market share for our artists’ releases. This role involves managing key retail relationships, including HMV, and overseeing the financial performance of new release projects, catalogue & campaigns. The Senior Commercial Manager will deputise for Head Of Commercial Revenue where required.
Key Responsibilities
* Commercial Strategy and Planning: Develop and implement commercial strategies to achieve revenue targets and growth objectives across HMV, Catalogue & Campaign
* Have a deep understanding of the broader retail market and support across all channels, including Amazon and D2C
* Analyse market trends, consumer behaviour, and the competitive landscape to inform strategic decisions
* Deliver album release analysis, alongside the Data team, to be sent to our label partners
* Proactively explore innovative ways to engage fan bases through physical products and sales initiatives to drive revenue and growth for our labels and artists
* Constantly seek out opportunities to drive incremental sales growth from retail partners
* Ensure chart compliance in all physical sales campaigns
* Relationship Management: Maintain strong relationships with our label partners, finance department and retail partners
* Develop a strong relationship with our production department, working together on format suite strategy and ensuring that our delivery KPIs are met
* Work with the SVP Revenue & Growth and the broader Commercial Sales Managers to ensure that overall new release & catalogue campaigns are implemented and delivering maximum commercial value
* Communicate sales strategies & associated artists commitments and asks with artist management
* Regular reporting of pre-orders & sales back to marketing, labels and wider teams including artist management
* Contract Negotiation: Manage contract renewals and renegotiations to optimise terms and conditions with HMV & Amazon
* Ensure all agreements are compliant with industry standards and company policies
* Ensure all marketing plans are implemented and signed off as per agreed timelines
* Financial Management & Reporting: Alongside the Head of Commercial Revenue oversee budgeting, forecasting, canvassing and financial performance of frontline releases, catalogue & campaigns
* Monitor turnover reporting to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting
* Collaborate with finance teams to manage the marketing budgets & returns pipeline
* Raise POs and manage invoicing on paid retail marketing
* Work closely with marketing and label to optimise ROI on sales initiatives
* Work with central and third party D2C teams to ensure smooth execution of D2C strategy and rollout for frontline releases where relevant
* Chart analysis & forecasting - analyse pre-orders, chart markets and market activity to help forecast sales & chart success for frontline releases
* Work with production and retail partners to manage obsolescence and reduce overstocks
* Project Management: Coordinate with commercial, marketing & distribution to ensure successful execution of music projects
* Ensure all projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget
* Report performance to all stakeholders at the end of each project in a clear and consistent way
* Work with broader sales team, marketing and artist managers to devise and execute outstore tours on appropriate projects
* Marketing And Promotion: Work closely with marketing teams to develop and execute promotional campaigns for artists and releases
* Identify and leverage marketing opportunities to increase visibility and sales
* Monitor the effectiveness of marketing strategies and adjust plans as needed
Essential Experience
* Experience of the music industry: Minimum of 6–8 years in commercial sales & retail marketing within a record label, music distributor, or major entertainment retailer
* Physical product sales expertise: Proven track record in managing physical sales strategy and taking high volume/charting releases to market, including campaigns across catalogue and retail promotions
* Account management: Direct experience managing relationships with major accounts like HMV, Amazon, and independent retail coalitions (e.g., ERA)
* Chart strategy: Deep familiarity with Official Charts Company (OCC) rules to ensure all bundles, formats, and outstore events are chart-compliant
Financial oversight: Experience managing P&Ls, marketing budgets, and sales forecasting for multi-million pound projects
Commercial Acumen: Understanding of wholesale/retail margins, managing P&Ls, sale or return policies, and obsolescence management
Data Literacy: Ability to interpret complex sales data to create actionable reports for labels and managers
Negotiation: High-level capability to negotiate prime retail placement and favourable contract terms with major global platforms
Strategic Planning: Ability to look 6–12 months ahead at manufacturing lead times and retail blackout periods
Project Leadership: Adept at deputizing for senior leadership and managing cross-functional teams
Educational & Professional Background
* Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Music Business, or related field or significant industry experience
* D2C Knowledge: Experience with Direct-to-Consumer platforms (like Shopify or Ochre) is a huge plus
* Supply chain awareness: Understanding of the global vinyl pressing crisis and supply chain logistics to better collaborate with the Production department
This position requires a minimum of 4 days per week in the office. We value in-office collaboration, which is essential for talent development and strong working relationships.
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.
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