Director, Global Digital-Business Development & Emerging Platforms

Sony Music Publishing (US) LLC seeks a Director, Global Digital-Business Development & Emerging Platforms to lead SMP's AI Music licensing strategy on a global scale. This onsite role is based in New York, NY and offers a salary range of USD 97,000 to 138,500 per year.

Responsibilities

• Map and monitor key players and startups in AI Music, maintaining an up-to-date internal knowledge base for the team
• Conduct in-depth research into individual AI players’ products, business models, funding rounds, and other publicly available information
• Track SMP’s current discussions and existing licenses with AI companies
• Serve as the team’s AI subject-matter expert, tracking trends and developments in AI Music and the broader Generative AI/LLM landscape
• Collaborate with senior members of the Global Digital Team and SMP’s General Counsel to shape and refine SMP’s high-level AI Music licensing strategy
• Prepare and deliver concise presentations for senior management, including the CEO, summarizing the State of AI Music, SMP’s strategy, and licensing/enforcement progress
• Identify and generate new AI Music business opportunities, qualifying leads for licensing or enforcement as needed
• Organize and lead high-level meetings with AI Music startups and emerging players to explore partnerships and licensing opportunities
• Provide well-reasoned internal recommendations on which leads to advance and develop actionable partnership or licensing strategies for specific companies
• Network within the wider music and AI Music ecosystem, representing SMP at industry events and conferences in a professional manner
• Participate in negotiations of AI Music licensing deals, contributing strategic thinking and in-depth analysis of deal drivers
• Infuse negotiations with subject-matter context and help implement a fit-for-purpose negotiating strategy to secure licensing outcomes
• Leverage relationships with counterparties to keep negotiations constructive and on track
• Assist the team in analyzing and adjusting negotiation strategies in real time to conclude licenses successfully
• Identify and prioritize potential AI Music targets for enforcement
• Support SMP’s legal team with expert context, analysis, and insights related to AI Music enforcement actions
• Participate in estimating and negotiating fair value settlements related to infringement

Requirements

• Degree-level education (legal, business, or technical fields preferred)
• Six or more years of relevant experience in business development, partnerships, law, or strategy within digital media, music, technology, or related industries
• Experience evaluating emerging technology companies, business models, and strategic partnership opportunities
• Strong analytical and research capabilities with the ability to translate complex information into actionable insights
• Experience developing strategic recommendations supported by market intelligence and data analysis
• Proven relationship-building and external networking skills across technology and entertainment sectors
• Ability to independently conduct and lead introductory and exploratory meetings with senior representatives from client or partner organizations
• Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate with senior stakeholders across business, legal, and commercial teams
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, including experience presenting to executive leadership
• Self-starter who operates effectively in a fast-paced, evolving, and highly ambiguous environment

Benefits

• Join an inclusive, collaborative, global community that supports the creative journey
• Modern office environment designed to foster productivity, creativity, and teamwork
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and disability coverage, and 401K with employer matching
• Voluntary benefits such as company-paid identity theft protection, pet resources, mental health and meditation support, fertility coverage, fully paid leave for childbirth and bonding, fully paid caregiver leave, programs for loved ones with developmental disabilities and neurodiversity, subsidized back-up child and elder care, and reimbursements for adoption, surrogacy, tuition, and student loans
• Investment in professional growth and development opportunities
• Winter recess time off