Senior Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Investing

About the role

We are UMG, the Universal Music Group. We are the world's leading music company. In everything we do, we are committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship. We own and operate a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries.

We identify and develop recording artists and songwriters, and we produce, distribute and promote the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music to delight and entertain fans around the world. The Strategic Initiatives & Investing team is a highly visible corporate development and investing team within UMG.

The group partners with Virgin Music Group's executive leadership, business units, labels, and internal stakeholders to evaluate and execute opportunities across M&A, artist and business deals, catalog acquisitions, joint ventures, new business ventures, and select strategic initiatives. The team is lean and committed to a culture that is rigorous, collaborative, supportive, and fun.

How we LEAD: The Strategic Initiatives & Investing team is looking for a full-time Senior Manager based in Los Angeles, CA. This is a hands-on corporate development role whose primary focus is financial analysis, valuation, diligence, and transaction execution across M&A, catalog acquisitions in coordination with Chord Music Partners, artist and business deals, joint ventures, and growth investments.

The Senior Manager will own discrete transaction and analytical workstreams, develop clear recommendations for senior leaders, and partner with stakeholders across recorded music, publishing, merchandise, D2C, artist services, digital, technology, and marketing. The role will report to the VP, M&A and Strategic Investments, and work closely with other team members.

The successful candidate is analytical, proactive, intellectually curious, and able to turn complex information into practical recommendations. How you'll CREATE: Build and own financial models, valuation analyses, and scenario assessments for potential M&A targets, artist and business deals, catalog acquisitions, joint venture partners, and other growth investments.

Manage discrete transaction workstreams, including data requests, financial and commercial diligence, sensitivity analyses, and synthesis of key findings. Analyze deal economics and key terms, pressure-test operating assumptions, and identify value drivers, risks, and potential mitigants.

Coordinate with business units and cross-functional partners, including Finance, Legal, Business Affairs, Tax, Accounting, and commercial teams, to gather inputs and advance evaluations. Conduct industry, market, and competitive research to inform valuation assumptions, strategic fit, and investment theses.

Prepare concise, executive-ready presentations and recommendations for senior management and other VMG leaders; communicate complex analyses clearly and accurately. Support select strategic initiatives by structuring analyses around growth opportunities, revenue drivers, investment requirements, and business model implications.

Maintain transaction materials and improve models, templates, trackers, and processes to support consistent and efficient decision-making. Support post-transaction reviews and performance tracking against the original investment case, where relevant.

Bring your VIBE: 2+ years of relevant work experience in investment banking, corporate development, music IP or catalog investing, private equity, transaction advisory, consulting or strategy with a strong financial focus, or a similar field. Direct experience with music IP, catalog investing, recorded music, publishing, or artist deal economics strongly preferred.

Strong financial modeling and valuation experience, including operating models, DCF, IRR, scenario and sensitivity analyses, and new venture economics. Demonstrated ability to own analytical and diligence workstreams independently, with strong attention to detail and sound judgment. Proven ability to synthesize complex findings into concise executive recommendations and presentations.

Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; proficiency in Word required. Experience with HFM, SAP, or similar financial systems is a plus. High level of intellectual curiosity, particularly around music, technology, and entertainment, with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities and risks. Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Highly collaborative and personable, with strong interpersonal and team-working skills.

Perks

Playlist: Join an entrepreneurial, global organization where authenticity, boldness, creativity, connection, drive, and insight aren't just values-they're how we work every day.

Here are some of the ways we support you along the way (and just a few of the benefits we offer): Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage Including 100% coverage for out-patient in-network mental health services Fertility coverage for eligible medical plan participants Wellbeing reimbursements for fitness classes, spa treatments, meal services, travel, and so much more (up to $720/year) Student Loan Repayment Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement 401(k) with 100% immediate vesting on the first 5% of your contributions, plus an additional UMG contribution A variety of ways to prioritize much-needed time away from work including: Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) for exempt employees 3-weeks PTO for non-exempt employees 2-weeks paid Winter Break 10 Company Holidays (including Juneteenth and Wellbeing Day) Summer Fridays (between Memorial Day and Labor Day) Generous paid parental leave for every type of parent Check out our full overview of benefits on the Perks Playlist page of the career site.

• Disclaimer: This job description only provides an overview of job responsibilities that are subject to change.
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