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Director Music Publishing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Coordinator, Publishing Services - The Orchard

New York, NY ยท On-site

$21.50 - $27.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

About The Orchard The Orchard is a leading global music distributor and Artist & Label services ... This New York based position will report to the Associate Director and will play an integral role ...

Global Client Services Director

Nashville, TN ยท On-site

$100K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As the preferred partner for some of the world's most beloved songwriters, storied music catalogs, and emerging artists at the forefront of pop culture, we offer bespoke distribution, publishing ...

Copyright Administration Coordinator

Burbank, CA ยท On-site

$30/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

This role will administer Company-owned and controlled music publishing catalogs and support the ... We pride ourselves on offering medical, dental, 401(k), direct deposit and commuter benefits to our ...

Showing results 21-40

Director Music Publishing information

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$12.5K

$48.1K

$77.5K

How much do director music publishing jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for director music publishing in the United States is $48,107.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,500.00 and $58,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of music publishing do?

A Director of Music Publishing oversees the management and exploitation of music copyrights for a publishing company or label. They are responsible for acquiring new songs and songwriters, negotiating contracts, licensing music for various uses (such as film, TV, and commercials), and ensuring royalties are collected and distributed properly. This role also involves building relationships within the music industry and developing strategies to maximize the value of the company's music catalog. Directors of Music Publishing play a key role in both the creative and business aspects of the music industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of music publishing?

To thrive as a Director of Music Publishing, you need deep knowledge of copyright law, music licensing, and publishing operations, typically supported by a degree in music business or a related field and significant industry experience. Familiarity with rights management software, royalty accounting systems, and industry databases like ASCAP, BMI, and SoundExchange is essential. Exceptional negotiation skills, relationship building, and strategic thinking set top candidates apart. These capabilities are crucial for maximizing revenue, ensuring legal compliance, and building successful partnerships in the competitive music industry.

What are the primary challenges a director of music publishing faces in managing rights and royalties across multiple territories?

One of the main challenges for a Director of Music Publishing is navigating the complex landscape of music rights and royalty management across various regions, each with its own legal frameworks and collection societies. Ensuring accurate and timely royalty payments to songwriters and composers requires close attention to detail and robust systems for tracking usage. Directors often collaborate with legal teams, licensing specialists, and international partners to stay compliant and maximize revenue. Adapting to evolving digital platforms and negotiating global agreements are also part of the role's dynamic nature.

What is the difference between Director Music Publishing vs Music Licensing Manager?

AspectDirector Music PublishingMusic Licensing Manager
Required CredentialsMusic industry experience, knowledge of publishing rights, possibly a degree in music or businessKnowledge of licensing laws, contracts, and rights management, often with a background in law or music
Work EnvironmentOffice setting, music publishing companies, record labelsMusic licensing agencies, media companies, production studios
Employer & Industry UsageMusic publishers, record labels, entertainment companiesMedia companies, film/TV production, advertising agencies

The main difference is that a Director Music Publishing oversees the overall strategy and management of music publishing rights, while a Music Licensing Manager focuses on securing licenses for specific uses of music. Both roles require knowledge of rights and contracts but differ in scope and daily responsibilities.

More about Director Music Publishing jobs

What cities are hiring for Director Music Publishing jobs?

Cities with the most Director Music Publishing job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Music Publishing jobs?

The most popular types of Music Publishing jobs are:

What states have the most Director Music Publishing jobs?

States with the most job openings for Director Music Publishing jobs include:

Infographic showing various Director Music Publishing job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 11% Contract, and 6% Summer. Highlights an 83% In-person, 6% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,107 per year, or $23.1 per hour.

Administration Manager- Runner Music (Nashville)

Runner Music

Nashville, TN โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Runner is seeking an Administration Manager to oversee publishing administration and acquisition integration across Runner Acquisitions and Runner Music Group, splitting time between the two, reporting to the Director, Corporate Development. The role is also responsible for managing a high volume of moving pieces across catalog operations, royalty administration, rights management, and acquisition workstreams, ensuring clients, partners, and internal teams receive responsive, precise support.

Candidates will preferably be based in Nashville, but candidates near Runner employee hubs are also encouraged to apply.

What You Will Be Doing:

  • Oversee day-to-day administration of Runner's music publishing catalog, serving as a trusted point of contact for clients, administrators, collection societies, publishing partners, and senior management.
  • Manage songwriter splits, prepare copyright registrations, and liaise directly with administration partners to maintain publisher redirects and ownership updates.
  • Proactively identify and resolve registration conflicts, ownership discrepancies, and metadata inconsistencies with external partners.
  • Review royalty statements from administrators, sub-publishers, and collection societies ensuring statements are received on schedule, accurate, and processed in a timely manner.
  • Facilitate royalty reconciliations, investigate discrepancies, support audits, and maintain the integrity of publishing data across the catalog.
  • Support neighboring rights, mechanical licensing, synchronization administration, ownership research, chain-of-title verification, and ongoing catalog maintenance.
  • Manage operational execution of catalog acquisitions, coordinating administrative workstreams from due diligence through post-closing integration with the Director of Corporate Development, legal counsel, finance, and sellers.
  • Organize acquisition documentation, validate metadata and ownership information, coordinate rights transfers and registrations, and integrate newly acquired catalogs into Runner's operational infrastructure.
  • Build and maintain relationships with writers, publishers, administrators, collection societies, attorneys, and financial partners, adapting communication style to each audience.
  • Identify operational challenges, recommend practical solutions, and help develop scalable processes as the company grows.
  • Other duties and special projects as assigned.


What Makes You Qualified:

  • 3+ years of experience in music publishing administration.
  • Strong understanding of global publishing infrastructure, copyright registrations, collection societies, royalty administration, publishing metadata, ownership structures, and CWR workflows.
  • Comfortable solving complex problems, following up, and respectfully challenging assumptions to ensure the right outcome.
  • Strong communicator across all levels, from independent songwriters to major publishers, outside counsel, and senior executives.
  • Highly organized, naturally curious, and exceptionally dependable, with strong attention to detail.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft 365.
  • Interest in learning, improving processes, and contributing.
  • Experience with catalog acquisitions, neighboring rights, royalty processing systems, or international publishing administration is considered an asset.

Runner is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a workplace where diversity of thought, experience, and background is valued. We encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply and are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process.


To learn more about Runner Music please visit www.runnermusic.com