At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead international marketing campaigns for independent artists and labels across the globe.
- Company: Join Universal Music, the world's leading music company with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, private medical insurance, and a pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the music industry while collaborating with creative minds worldwide.
- Qualifications: Experience in international marketing or label management, with a passion for music.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Music is Universal
It’s the passionate and dedicated team at Universal Music who help make us the world’s leading music company. From A&R to finance, legal to digital, sales to marketing, Universal Music is the place to grow and develop your career within a truly commercial and innovative business that leads in everything it does.
Everyone is welcome to apply for our roles, and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment because of gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief, age, marital status, background, pregnancy, or caring responsibilities. We also recognise the importance of diversity of thought within our teams and are fully committed to embracing the talents of people with autism, dyslexia, ADHD, and other forms of neurocognitive variation.
We will always seek to make appropriate adjustments to recruitment, workplaces, and work processes to be fully inclusive to people with different needs and working styles. If you need us to make any reasonable adjustments for you from application onwards, including alternatives to the online form or to disclose a neurocognitive condition, please email UniversalMusicCareers@umusic.com.
About Our Department and Team
Virgin Music Group (VMG) represents the vibrant, global community of independent artists and labels. Our team bridges the gap between local creativity and global opportunity. With bases around the world, we help elevate artist campaigns through expert strategy, cross-border collaboration, and finely tuned market insights.
Our London-based International Marketing team sits at the centre of this mission. We partner with independent labels to shape and execute standout campaigns across multiple territories — always staying true to the artist’s voice while unlocking international impact.
A Day in the Life of a Senior International Marketing Manager
Every day brings a fresh set of collaborations and creative challenges. You may be building a launch strategy with a partner label in Latin America one moment and advising a European indie artist on optimising their release in Asia the next. Your work will touch every corner of the globe, drawing on cultural intelligence, commercial strategy, and a deep love of music.
You’ll act as a strategic consultant, trusted advisor, and operational partner. From kick-off to post-release analysis, you’ll manage complex, multifaceted campaigns with clarity, empathy, and innovation — always keeping our artists’ success at the heart of everything you do.
Your Impact in Role
You will play a critical role in ensuring our label partners’ music reaches the widest possible international audience. By collaborating across departments, connecting dots between global resources, and applying your knowledge of markets, media and platforms, you will help independent artists grow their global footprint.
Your work will drive campaign performance, strengthen client relationships, and continuously improve how we deliver international marketing excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the planning, execution and oversight of international marketing campaigns for artists across our label network.
Act as the initial point of contact for all international campaign-related queries from our label partners.
Liaise with Virgin Music Group teams globally to ensure consistent, effective campaign execution across markets.
Offer guidance and strategic input on self-managed campaigns run by distribution clients.
Support business development teams and label managers with service pitches and presentations for key accounts.
Track and manage international campaign budgets, ensuring effective spend and return.
Provide central commercial teams (digital and physical) with timely campaign information and relevant marketing budget updates.
Continuously monitor market trends, platform developments and media strategies to inform campaign best practices.
Facilitate cross-territory collaboration and knowledge-sharing between internal and external stakeholders.
Represent the voice of the label and artist within UMG, advocating for their creative and strategic goals internationally.
Skills and Experience Required
A strong understanding of the global music market — including media ecosystems, platform dynamics, commercial structures and release strategies.
Proven experience in one or more of the following areas: international marketing, domestic marketing, label management, distribution, publishing, or senior-level freelance campaign roles.
Practical knowledge of how independent labels operate and the unique challenges they face.
Familiarity with global distribution infrastructure and the opportunities it offers to artists and labels.
The ability to manage and adapt campaign strategies across a variety of genres and cultural markets.
Excellent interpersonal skills — able to communicate confidently, clearly and sensitively with a wide range of stakeholders.
A strategic mindset with the flexibility to support the evolving nature of the VMG business.
Data fluency and the ability to quickly adopt new internal systems or tech platforms.
A self-starter attitude with the ability to work independently and prioritise a fast-paced workload.
Our Ideal Candidate
We’re looking for someone who is globally curious, solutions-focused and genuinely passionate about the independent music space. You understand the power of storytelling in building artist brands and have a deep respect for creative integrity.
You’ll also bring the following qualities and strengths:
A natural relationship builder who can influence and collaborate at all levels.
Enthusiastic and knowledgeable about client needs and the wider music ecosystem.
Open to learning, evolving and sharing your knowledge with others.
Comfortable navigating ambiguity and change in a dynamic environment.
A team player with a collaborative, flexible approach and willingness to pitch in.
Self-motivated, highly organised, and able to manage competing priorities with ease.
Excellent written and verbal communicator — confident presenting ideas and strategies.
Bonus Tracks: Your Benefits
Group Personal Pension Scheme (contributions between 3% and 9%)
Private Medical Insurance
25 days of annual leave (plus public holidays)
Holiday Purchase Scheme
Interest-Free Season Ticket Loan
Dental and Travel Insurance options
Cycle to Work Scheme
Salary Sacrifice Cars
Subsidised Gym Membership
Employee Discounts via Reward Gateway
Just So You Know…
The company presents this job description as a guide to the major areas and duties for which the jobholder is accountable. However, the business operates in an environment that demands change and the jobholder's specific responsibilities and activities will vary and develop. Therefore, the job description should be seen as indicative and not as a permanent, definitive, and exhaustive statement.
Job Category:
Marketing, Streaming & Digital MediaSenior International Marketing Manager in London employer: Universal Music Holdings
Universal Music is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that champions diversity and creativity. Based in London, the Senior International Marketing Manager role provides unique opportunities for professional growth within a global music powerhouse, where employees are encouraged to collaborate across borders and innovate in their campaigns. With comprehensive benefits such as a personal pension scheme, private medical insurance, and generous annual leave, Universal Music prioritises employee well-being while fostering a dynamic environment that celebrates passion for music.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior International Marketing Manager in London
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Universal Music Holdings and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Universal Music Holdings are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Universal Music Holdings on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Universal Music Holdings. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior International Marketing Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Universal Music Holdings. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Universal Music Holdings:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Universal Music Holdings’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Universal Music Holdings
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Universal Music Holdings will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Universal Music Holdings, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
