Director, Strategic Partnerships

Director, Strategic Partnerships

Full-Time 125000 - 145000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
Warner Music Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead strategic partnerships and oversee operational transitions in a dynamic music environment.
  • Company: Join Warner Music Group, a global leader in the music industry.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Work in a vibrant atmosphere that values creativity and innovation.
  • Why this job: Make an impact in the music world while collaborating with creative minds.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in project management and experience in global transitions.

The predicted salary is between 125000 - 145000 € per year.

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.

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.

A little bit about our team: Warner Music’s Global Business Services (GBS) is the home to the finance operations, legal and administrative functions that provide critical support and best-in-class services to our global finance labels and affiliates. Each regional center embodies the collaborative and creative spirit that stems from the company’s deep history in nurturing entrepreneurial thinking and artist-focused innovation, enabling our employees to develop a wide range of skills through cross‑function collaboration and development opportunities.

Your role: As the Strategic Partnerships Director, you will serve as the main architect and lead for the strategic integration of workstreams within the GBS framework. Reporting to the VP of Global Operations, this role will oversee the "front door" for operational expansion, and will be responsible for facilitating the transition of critical functions from regional labels, affiliates, and M&A activities into our centralized global shared service center (SSC) model or to specialized third‑party partners. You will serve as a high‑level strategic advisor and advocate. You will navigate a complex global finance environment to ensure every transition is seamless. All transitions will be governed by rigorous internal controls and aligned with our long‑term scalability goals. We are looking for a resilient, data‑driven leader who can coordinate critical relationships with international collaborators and external service providers. This role ensures that GBS continues to deliver world‑class performance and service excellence.

  • Managing internal and external project managers, fostering a culture of strategic collaboration, high performance, and operational excellence.
  • Develop and lead all aspects of the global intake framework. This is the strategic entry for transitioning workflows, business functions, and corporate mergers into the GBS ecosystem.
  • Act as the lead for Mergers & Acquisitions within the shared operations function.
  • Evaluate the back‑office landscape of acquired entities and develop a roadmap crafting the integration of their operations into this centralized services model.
  • Lead the end‑to‑end lifecycle of organizational transitions.
  • Ensure functional migrations from regional divisions and associated companies are completed timely and within budget.
  • Minimize impact on business continuity.
  • Act in a senior strategic advisory role to regional leadership and functional heads.
  • Navigate complex organizational structures to secure alignment, advocacy, and formal approvals for global transition initiatives.
  • Manage high‑stakes relationships with third‑party service providers and outsourcing partners, ensuring external delivery models meet WMG’s rigorous standards for quality, scalability, and cost‑efficiency.
  • Establish and monitor important metrics and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to ensure partners meet the same standards WMG has internally.
  • Present transition roadmaps and arguments to global governance committees, managing priorities and goals in alignment with WMG’s overarching strategic vision.
  • Ensure all partnership models and work migrations adhere to corporate governance standards, including strict oversight of internal controls, resource allocation, and budgetary parameters.
  • Manage the project lifecycle, including scoping, knowledge transfer, "shadowing," and stabilized go‑live phases.
  • Provide post‑transition analysis and performance management, establishing KPIs to measure the success of integrations and the ongoing health of global partnerships.
  • Collaborate with HR, CI, Reporting, Automation and Tech leads to ensure that new workstreams are supported by the necessary talent, optimized processes, and technological infrastructure from day one.

About you:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, Operations Management, or a related field.
  • 10+ years of experience in project management, specifically focused on functional migrations, shared services, or GBS transitions, including large‑scale Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) management.
  • Proven track record of leading end‑to‑end functional migrations and M&A integrations within a complex, global matrix environment.
  • Experience with influencing stakeholders across different time zones and cultures without direct authority.
  • Proven track record of resilience in "high‑velocity" environments where you find a way to move the ball forward despite shifting priorities or internal roadblocks.
  • Experience managing multi‑dimensional workflows and multiple projects, and ability to effectively communicate priorities to executive audiences.
  • Experience onboarding newly acquired entities or business units into a global service model.

We’d love it if you also had:

  • MBA or an advanced degree in a strategic or analytical discipline.
  • PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent Project Management certification.
  • Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt.
  • Hands‑on experience with Pega, S/4HANA, or ServiceNow.
  • Experience in a shared services environment.
  • Music industry experience a plus.

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.

Salary Range: $155,000 - $175,000 Annually. Salary ranges are included for job postings where required by law. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as work experience and business needs. The pay range is subject to change at any time dependent on a variety of internal and external factors.

Warner Music Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Director, Strategic Partnerships employer: Warner Music Group

At Warner Music Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where creativity and collaboration thrive. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our diverse development opportunities and the chance to work alongside industry leaders in a dynamic global environment. With a focus on innovation and excellence, we empower our team members to make meaningful contributions while enjoying the unique advantage of being part of a renowned music company that champions both emerging and established talent.

Warner Music Group

Contact Detail:

Warner Music Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Director, Strategic Partnerships

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the music industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Show your passion for music and innovation during interviews. Be ready to share your ideas on how to break through barriers and drive collaboration. Remember, they want to see your curiosity and commitment to excellence, so let that shine through!

Tip Number 3

Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the role of Strategic Partnerships Director. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your achievements.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the WMG family. So, get your application in and let’s make some music magic together!

We think you need these skills to ace Director, Strategic Partnerships

Project Management
Strategic Planning
Mergers & Acquisitions
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)
Stakeholder Management
Data Analysis
Operational Excellence

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Music:When you're writing your application, let your love for music shine through! We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission at Warner Music Group. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your connection to the music industry.

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Director, Strategic Partnerships role. Highlight your experience in project management and M&A integrations, and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their skills to our needs!

Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures that your application gets to the right people quickly. Plus, it shows us that you’re serious about joining our team at Warner Music Group.

How to prepare for a job interview at Warner Music Group

Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into Warner Music Group's mission and values. Understand their commitment to creativity, collaboration, and curiosity. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with these principles and how you can contribute to their innovative culture.

Showcase Your Strategic Mindset

As a Director of Strategic Partnerships, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to navigate complex environments. Prepare examples of past projects where you've successfully managed transitions or integrations, highlighting your data-driven approach and resilience in high-pressure situations.

Build Connections

Networking is key in the music industry. During your interview, express your enthusiasm for collaboration and building relationships. Share instances where you've fostered partnerships or worked across teams to achieve common goals, showcasing your ability to connect with diverse stakeholders.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the company. Inquire about their current challenges in global operations or how they envision the future of strategic partnerships. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if WMG is the right fit for you.