Job Description

At Warner Music Group, we’re a global collective of music makers and music lovers, tech innovators and inspired entrepreneurs, game-changing creatives and passionate team members. Here, we turn dreams into stardom and audiences into fans. We are guided by three core values that underpin everything we do across all our diverse businesses:

• Curiosity We do our best work when we’re immersing ourselves in culture and breaking through barriers. Curiosity is the driving force behind creativity and ingenuity. It fuels innovation, and innovation is the key to our future.

• Collaboration Making music and bringing it to the world is all about the power of originality amplified by teamwork. A great idea, like a great song, travels globally. We ignite passions and build connections across our diverse community of artists, songwriters, partners, and fans.

• Commitment We pursue excellence for our team and our talent. Everything in music starts with a leap into the unknown, and we’re committed to keeping the faith, acting with integrity, and delivering on our promises.

WMG is home to a wide range of artists, musicians, and songwriters that fuel our success. That is why we are committed to creating a work environment that actively values, appreciates, and respects everyone. We encourage applications from people with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.

Consider a career at WMG and get the best of both worlds – an innovative global music company that retains the creative spirit of a nimble independent.

Job Title: Director, Global A&R

Reports To: President, Warner Music Canada

Department: A&R

Location: Toronto, Ontario. Canada

Job Type Regular, Full Time

Working Hours: 37.5 hours/week

Pay range: $110,000 - $140,000/annual
Vacancy: New Position

A little bit about our team:

We are Warner Music Group, home to a broad roster of new stars and legendary artists through a collection of the best-known record labels in the music industry including Asylum, Atlantic, Big Beat, Canvasback, East West, Elektra, Erato, FFRR, Fueled by Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Spinnin’, Warner Bros., Warner Classics, and Warner Music Nashville, as well as Warner/Chappell Music, one of the world's leading music publishers, with a catalogue of more than one million copyrights worldwide.

Your role:

This role works closely with WMG's Global A&R team, local A&R teams in different regions, artists, producers, and internal teams to tailor the release of new music via Artist Features and Remixes. The role will work to craft and execute a roadmap for new artist signings at WM Canada / ADA Canada and work across different countries and regions to identify emerging talent for the frontline labels. This role requires a combination of creative vision, deep industry knowledge, and the ability to drive innovation in both talent acquisition and overall artist development.

Here you’ll get to:

Talent Identification & Acquisition:

• Work across different countries and regions to identify emerging talent to bring to frontline labels.
• Lead the identification and signing of exceptional artists across various genres, with a focus on long-term career development and market impact.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key industry influencers, managers, agents, and other music professionals in the creative community.

Creative Development & Artist Strategy:

• Collaborate with producers, songwriters and artists to shape and execute their musical vision.
• Provide creative guidance, mentorship, and support throughout the recording process, ensuring that each artist’s sound is unique and resonates with global audiences.
• Set up periodic Songwriter Camps.
• Work with the music publishing community to solicit and review songs for artists on our labels.

Project Management & Oversight:

• Oversee the development and execution of projects by managing the selection of producers, songwriters, and other collaborators, monitoring recording budgets, and ensuring timelines and milestones are achieved efficiently.
• Preserve the artist’s ideas and integrity throughout the project, act as liaison between labels and the musicians, producers, songwriters, management, and attorney network.
• Partner with the Marketing team to develop and execute innovative strategies and release schedules that showcase our artists and roster. This includes crafting compelling narratives, highlighting talent through creative storytelling, and leveraging diverse channels to drive awareness and engagement.
• Work with frontline A&Rs to support creative, evaluate overall quality of artist work and determine how to maximize it.
• Oversee the rollout from pre-planning to completion of our artist video shoots, recording sessions, production, and other artist centric projects.
• Spending time in studios with our current artists and artists in consideration for partnerships.

Market Analysis & Industry Trends:

• Stay ahead of emerging trends in music and entertainment, identifying potential opportunities for the company and artists to engage with new audiences.
• Regularly review market performance and recommend adjustments to the artist development strategy.
• Monitor and engage with social media and other platforms to identify trends, discover talent, and stay connected to innovative developments across music and non-music spaces.

Global Impact & Branding:

• Build and execute strategies for artist exposure and growth on a global scale.
• Collaborate with marketing, public relations, and other departments to ensure the success and global reach of artists and their releases.
• Pursue talent to bring to our frontline labels, maintaining relationships and credibility with artists, managers and the broader industry.

About you:

• A minimum of 8 to 10 years in A&R or related roles, with a strong track record of discovering, developing, and successfully managing artists in various music genres.
• A passion for music with an excellent ear for emerging talent, trends, and sound innovations. Ability to translate an artist’s creative vision into actionable strategies that drive commercial success.
• Strong leadership skills with a proven ability to inspire and manage a diverse team.
• Comfortable working with cross-functional teams and external partners to execute complex projects.
• Well-established relationships with music professionals, including artists, producers, managers, agents, and label executives. An ability to leverage this network to secure opportunities for the company and its roster.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present ideas, negotiate deals, and build relationships effectively at all levels of the industry.
• Ability to balance creative instincts with business acumen, making decisions that align with the company’s goals while supporting the long-term growth of the artist.
• Flexibility to be able to travel on short notice.
• Post-secondary education in Creative Arts, Music, or Business Management is an asset.
• Deep understanding of the digital commerce space including the DSP artist portals and the key artist development and feeder playlists

About us:

As the home to 10K Projects, Asylum, Atlantic Music Group, East West, FFRR, Fueled by Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Warner Records, Warner Classics, and several other of the world’s premier recording labels, Warner Music Group champions emerging artists and global superstars alike. And our renowned publishing company, Warner Chappell Music, represents genre-spanning songwriters and producers through a catalog of more than one million copyrights worldwide. Warner Music Group is also home to ADA, which supports the independent community, as well as artist services division WMX. In addition, WMG counts film and television storytelling powerhouse Warner Music Entertainment among its many brands.

Together, we are Warner Music Group: Independent Minds. Major Sound.

Love this job and want to apply?

Click the “Apply” link or apply directly with your LinkedIn. Applying with LinkedIn will import all of the information you put in your profile but will still allow you to upload a resume and cover letter.

Please note that due to the volume of applicants we receive for a given position, you may not be contacted if you do not meet minimum eligibility requirements for this position.

Thanks for your interest in working for Warner Music Group. We love it here and think you will too.

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, religious beliefs, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, record of offences, marital status, family status, or any other protected grounds under applicable legislation.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the application or employment process, please send an e-mail to PeopleTeam.Canada@warnermusic.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

This position will require being in the office 4 days a week. We believe that an in-office presence is critical for talent development, collaboration and building strong relationships.

Warner Music Canada does not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) or automated filtering software to screen, rank, or select applicants. Every application submitted is reviewed personally by our recruiting team to ensure every candidate receives fair and thoughtful consideration.

As the home to 10K Projects, Asylum, Atlantic Music Group, East West, FFRR, Fueled by Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Warner Records, Warner Classics, and several other of the world’s premier recording labels, Warner Music Group champions emerging artists and global superstars alike. And our renowned publishing company, Warner Chappell Music, represents genre-spanning songwriters and producers through a catalog of more than one million copyrights worldwide. Warner Music Group is also home to ADA, which supports the independent community, as well as artist services division WMX. In addition, WMG counts film and television storytelling powerhouse Warner Music Entertainment among its many brands.

Together, we are Warner Music Group: Independent Minds. Major Sound

Love this job and want to apply?

Click the “Apply” link at the top of the page, or apply directly with your LinkedIn. Applying with LinkedIn will import all of the information you put in your profile, but will still allow you to upload a resume and cover letter.

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear from us right away. We’re taking our time to review all resumes, and to find the best people for WMG.

Thanks for your interest in working for WMG. We love it here, and think you will, too.

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. #LI-Onsite

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.