Director/CEO in City of London

The MPA works on behalf of its wide-ranging membership to protect and enhance the rights of the music publishers and creators at the heart of British music’s extraordinary cultural and economic success story. We protect and enhance the rights of music publishers and creators, and we are committed to making the industry more equitable, representative and inclusive.

The MPA also owns and operates two subsidiary businesses MCPS and PMLL (together known as The MPA Group).

This is a senior leadership role with broad operational responsibility, working closely with the CEO to deliver the MPA's strategic plan. As MPA Managing Director, you will lead a talented and diverse team, drive membership growth and engagement, and take accountability for delivery across the MPA's strategic pillars.

What You'll Do

• Strategy and Leadership
  • Work in close partnership with the CEO and MPA Board to maintain, enhance and deliver the MPA's strategic plan.
  • Take accountability for driving improvement across Membership, DEI, Sponsorship and Events, Marketing and Communications, and Office Management.
  • Anticipate developments that may impact members' businesses, referring to the CEO and appropriate committees as required.
  • Collaborate with the Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer to maintain an up-to-date overview of government policy and legislative changes relevant to music publishing.
  • Negotiate and manage relevant MPA agreements in conjunction with the General Counsel.
  • Work with the MD, PMLL to develop and implement anti-piracy initiatives in support of publishers.
• Membership
  • Devise and implement a Board-agreed strategy to grow and retain the MPA's membership base.
  • Act as a conduit between members and MPA leadership, ensuring member interests inform the work of the CEO and Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer.
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with current and prospective members.
  • Lead the MPA's member surveying activity, ensuring findings inform strategy and service delivery.
  • Maximise value for money from MPA membership, negotiating and managing member benefits and responding to member needs through new initiatives.
  • Plan for, manage and deliver the annual MPA Publisher Census.
• Sponsorship, Events and Education and Training
  • Oversee the planning and delivery of the MPA's annual programme of events, working closely with the Partnerships and Events Manager on all sponsorship, training and professional development activity.
  • Ensure sponsorship targets are met each year.
  • Seek out and develop opportunities for revenue generation beyond core membership subscriptions.
  • Take strategic ownership of the Education and Training pillar, ensuring programmes are relevant, impactful and aligned with the MPA's broader objectives.
• DEI
  • Provide strategic oversight of the MPA's DEI pillar, working closely with the Head of DEI to ensure DEI commitments are embedded across operations, member engagement and external profile.
• Marketing and Communications
  • Oversee the MPA's marketing and communications strategy, press plans, website management and event communications, ensuring a consistent and compelling external profile.
• Financial
  • Partner with the COO on the annual budget process, contributing substantively to budget setting and taking responsibility for managing budgets across areas of accountability.
  • Review monthly management accounts in partnership with the COO, monitoring expenditure and receipts.
  • Monitor member subscription levels throughout the year, working to agreed revenue growth targets.
  • Co-ordinate the annual review of membership subscription fees, securing Board approval in line with the MPA's Articles of Association.
• Board, Committees and Member Meetings
  • Represent the CEO across relevant Board sub-groups and committees.
  • Take responsibility for managing and progressing the agendas of Board committees and sub-groups.
  • Attend the MPA Board to present written and verbal updates across all areas of responsibility.

About You

You are a senior leader with significant experience in music publishing and the commercial acumen to drive growth across a complex and varied portfolio. You will be a confident, trusted presence across member, industry and Board settings - someone who leads with clarity and delivers.

You’ll bring:

• Significant and recent experience in music publishing, with a strong understanding of the industry landscape, its key players and the issues facing publishers today.
• Proven track record in a senior leadership role, delivering against short, medium and long-term strategic objectives.
• Experience leading and developing diverse teams through clear direction, coaching and accountability.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience managing budgets and identifying opportunities for revenue growth.
• A skilled relationship builder, able to engage effectively at every level - from individual members to Board and industry bodies.
• Demonstrable experience of membership, stakeholder or client relationship management.
• Excellent diplomatic skills and the ability to bring together diverse views and achieve consensus.
• Senior-level negotiating experience.
• Proven ability to manage complex, concurrent workstreams to a high standard.
• A critical thinker and confident problem solver, with the judgement to anticipate and resolve issues before they escalate.

Desirable

• Knowledge of and interest in intellectual property law and policy.
• Experience working within or alongside a trade association, membership body or not-for-profit organisation.

Package

• Competitive salary (dependent on experience).
• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• Pension contribution.
• Critical Illness and Income Protection Insurance.
• Death in Service benefit (after 2 years).
• Hybrid working mode.

Our Commitment

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the creators and communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout our recruitment process - please let us know what you need and we will work with you.

Closing Date 6 May 2026