What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manager, A&R, 5020 Records position at Sony Music Entertainment?
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 A&R Manager is responsible for discovering, signing, and developing recording artists and songwriters, while overseeing the creative direction of projects across music and visual content, from early development through release. This role bridges talent scouting, creative strategy, music production and video production supervision, working closely with artists, producers, directors, and internal label teams.
What you'll do:
Artist Discovery & Signing
• Identify, scout, and evaluate emerging and established artists, producers, and songwriters
• Track music trends, streaming data, live performance activity, and cultural movements
• Lead or support artist signing processes, including deal recommendations and internal pitches
Artist Development
• Guide artists’ creative and strategic development across singles, EPs, albums, and visual content
• Help shape artistic vision, sound, image, and long-term career strategy
• Build and manage creative teams (producers, writers, engineers, visual collaborators)
Creative Direction & Project Management
• Oversee recording projects from concept through final delivery
• Coordinate studio sessions, writing camps, collaborations, and creative timelines
• Provide feedback on music, visuals, branding, and marketing concepts
• Ensure projects meet creative standards, timelines, and budget expectations
Video Production Supervision
• Supervise music video and visual content production from concept to final delivery
• Collaborate with directors, production companies, and creative teams on treatment development
• Review and approve treatments, budgets, schedules, and creative executions
• Ensure alignment between visual content, artist identity, and overall release strategy
• Oversee on-set production when required and manage post-production approvals Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with Marketing, Digital, Publicity, Sync, and Legal teams
• Align music and visual content with release strategies and commercial objectives
• Serve as a primary creative liaison between artists, management, and the label
Business & Budget Oversight
• Manage recording and video production budgets, tracking costs and approvals
• Support negotiations with producers, directors, and visual partners
• Coordinate with Business Affairs on contracts, clearances, and approvals Market & Performance Analysis
• Monitor streaming performance, audience growth, and fan engagement
• Analyze data and audience response to music and visual content
• Adjust creative and release strategies based on performance insights
Who you are:
• 3–7 years of experience in A&R, artist management, or a related field within the music business
• Music producers with relevant experience are also eligible
• Strong ear for music and deep understanding of current and emerging music trends
• Proven creative judgment across music, visuals, and artist branding
• Not interested in a traditional 9-to-5 work structure; flexible availability required
• Bilingual or multilingual, with English and Spanish as primary languages preferred
• Strong relationships with artists, managers, producers, directors, and creative partners
• Experience supervising music video and visual content production from concept through final delivery
• Experience managing recording and video production budgets
• Familiarity with recording agreements, producer agreements, and visual production contracts
• Ability to build, lead, and manage creative teams across audio and visual projects
• Experience collaborating cross-functionally with Marketing, Digital, Publicity, Legal, and Finance teams
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to interpret streaming, social, and audience data to inform creative decisions
• Familiarity with analytics tools such as Spotify for Artists, Chartmetric, Apollo, or similar platforms
• Strong negotiation, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments
• Experience working across international markets and time zones (preferred)
• Willingness and availability to prioritize attendance at artist performances, studio sessions, video shoots, rehearsals, and other artist-related activities
• Willing and able to travel both domestically and internationally, sometimes at a moment’s notice.
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.