VP, A&R Operations - Columbia

About Sony Music Entertainment

At Sony Music Entertainment, we fuel the creative journey. We’ve played a pioneering role in music history, from the first-ever music label to the invention of the flat disc record. We’ve nurtured some of music’s most iconic artists and produced some of the most influential recordings of all time.

Today, we work in more than 70 countries, supporting a diverse roster of international superstars, developing and independent artists, and visionary creators. From our position at the intersection of music, entertainment, and technology, we bring imagination and expertise to the newest products and platforms, embrace new business models, employ breakthrough tools, and provide powerful insights that help our artists push creative boundaries and reach new audiences. In everything we do, we’re committed to artistic integrity, transparency, and entrepreneurship.

Sony Music Entertainment is a member of the Sony family of global companies.

The VP, A&R Operations will oversee the day-to-day operations of the A&R department and lead the A&R Operations team. This person will have overall accountability across the function, ensuring there is clear ownership across the team while serving as the primary escalation point for operational issues across the roster.

What you'll do:

• Lead and manage the A&R Operations team, establishing clear ownership across the group and developing the team over time.
• Oversee production schedules and the timely delivery of all A&R-related assets, including masters, credits/label copy, lyrics and related agreements.
• Oversee sample and side artist clearance processes in partnership with BA Admin and Business Affairs.
• Work closely with A&R and A&R Admin on recording budgets and reforecasts, with a focus on identifying potential overages and issues earlier.
• Work with A&R Admin and BA on option tracking, terminations, and other roster-related matters.
• Oversee master verification, asset management, and archival processes.
• Interface with Content Protection on music security, leaks, watermarking, fingerprinting, and takedowns.
• Maintain oversight across roster onboarding, new signings/drops and projects requiring additional operational support.
• Oversee key operational relationships with distribution and JV/label partners.
• Partner closely with A&R, A&R Admin, BA, Release Planning, Finance, Sales and other internal teams to troubleshoot issues and ensure priorities remain on track.
• Maintain visibility across priority releases and outstanding operational risks, escalating material issues to A&R leadership as needed.
• Identify opportunities to streamline and improve A&R Operations workflows, including better use of technology and automation, clearer documentation, and cross-training across the team.

Who you are:

• 7–10+ years of experience in A&R Operations, A&R Administration, or a related recorded-music function.
• Strong knowledge of the recorded-music process, including audio delivery, clearances, recording budgets, and release operations.
• Experience managing and developing a team.
• Strong judgment and ability to prioritize and make decisions in a fast-moving environment.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional relationship-management skills.
• Comfortable working with senior executives, A&R teams, artist representatives, and internal business partners.
• Able to understand detailed operational workflows while maintaining oversight of the broader function.
• Proactive, solutions-oriented and interested in improving processes rather than simply maintaining them.

What we give you:

• You join an inclusive, collaborative and global community where you have the opportunity to channel your passion every day  
• A modern office environment designed to foster productivity, creativity, and teamwork empowering you to bring your best 
• An attractive and comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life & disability coverage, and 401K + employer matching 
• Voluntary benefits like company-paid identity theft protection and resources for pets, mental health and meditation resources, industry-leading fertility coverage, fully paid leave for childbirth or bonding, fully paid leave for caregivers, programs for loved ones with developmental disabilities and neurodiversity, subsidized back-up child and elder care, and reimbursement for adoption, surrogacy, tuition, and student loans 
• Investment in your professional growth and development enabling you to thrive in our vibrant community.  
• The space to accelerate progress, positively disrupt, and create what happens next  
• Time off for a winter recess

Sony Music is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of age, disability, national origin, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, veteran or military status, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic information or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.