Director, Artist Relations, Experiential and Events

Universal Music Group•Rockford, IL

About The Position

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. How we LEAD Interscope Capitol is seeking a passionate, culture-forward experiential leader to serve as Director, Experiential and Events Artist Relations. This role is responsible for delivering best-in-class artist experiences and world building—spanning tours, promotional appearances, live performances, and curated activations—while providing white-glove support to artists, managers, and internal stakeholders. How you’ll CREATE: Plan + execute experiential moments for artists in partnership with artist teams and internal label departments— following the artists vision and the world they are building surrounding their campaign. This includes any label branded events no matter if internal or external. Partner cross-functionally with internal teams (Marketing, Creative, PR, Digital etc.) and external vendors (fabricators, prop houses, security, catering, bar tending, and BAs etc.) to create and deliver artist-facing opportunities and experiences that support campaign goals. Own artist itineraries and day-to-day schedules for experiential activity—ensuring accuracy, clarity, and proactive problem-solving. This includes everything from vendor load in, fabrication and build timing plus artist arrivals and logistics. Anticipate + resolve conflicts between artists and last-minute changes with their vision and world building with managing vendors and their expectations with the last-minute changes knowing this can happen at any given moment even onsite during build or well before. Build, manage, and optimize budgets for promotional events, showcases, and experiential activations for both artists and label events. Partner with Finance/Marketing to create and secure budgets. Identify efficiencies and recommend solutions that reduce costs and/or improve outcomes. Use preferred and cost-effective vendors that will keep the budget low in spend Negotiate fair budgets with vendors and approve spend under an established threshold when applicable. Oversee travel logistics for experiential activity (flights, trains, cars, hotels), ensuring seamless execution and strong cost controls. (For any events outside of Los Angeles) Manage ticketing and VIP needs including fan solicitations, internal distribution with staff and executives, artist guest lists, credentials, VIP tables, and day-of-show parking/entry workflows. Advance and attend shows/performances/experiences as needed to ensure label and partner needs are met and the artist experience is executed at a high standard. Lead artist showcases and experiential builds from concept through execution—ensuring the experience reflects the artist’s identity and creates a meaningful audience reaction. Own settlement and accounting workflows including reviewing all experiential/events accountings, calculating backend where applicable, and supporting negotiations/settlements when needed. Ensure timely invoice processing for activity-related expenses (tickets, transportation, backline/PA, security, staging, fabrication etc.). Plan and execute internal company events/meetings by building budgets, sourcing venues, and managing third-party vendors. Mentor and support Touring & Events/Artist Relations staff as needed; may also supervise interns. Bring a creative, experiential lens to opportunities—helping drive forward-thinking, culturally relevant experiences that represent the artist authentically, on time and on budget (including intersections with brand activations and merchandising).

Requirements

7+ years of experience working on music experiential events, with budget responsibility.
An intimate knowledge of working with music labels and their teams.
Vendor Contacts: Fabricators, equipment rental partners, credentialing companies, brand ambassadors, check-in platforms, guestlist applications, transportation vendors, venue and prop house rentals in key markets such as NYC, LA, Miami, Chicago, ATL.
Artist Contacts: Managers, tour managers, ticket agencies, booking agents, promoters, venues, independent publicists, etc.
Computer skills: Strong computer skills including MS Office (Word, Excel & Outlook) and an intimate knowledge of the internet. Experience with VME or PRS strongly preferred.
Additional skills: A proactive, organized, self-starter who has strong problem solving, social, and interpersonal skills. Exceptional communication and time management skills. The ability to prioritize and multi-task. Must be able to work independently but be a team player and flexible. Must be able to adapt to all situations and handle stress. Must be able to create and maintain good relationships with artists, managers, attorneys, etc. Multitasking and organizational skills a must.
Some travel required (including late night local travel).
Must be available to attend local shows, events and concerts and work weekends where needed.

Responsibilities

Plan + execute experiential moments for artists in partnership with artist teams and internal label departments— following the artists vision and the world they are building surrounding their campaign. This includes any label branded events no matter if internal or external.
Partner cross-functionally with internal teams (Marketing, Creative, PR, Digital etc.) and external vendors (fabricators, prop houses, security, catering, bar tending, and BAs etc.) to create and deliver artist-facing opportunities and experiences that support campaign goals.
Own artist itineraries and day-to-day schedules for experiential activity—ensuring accuracy, clarity, and proactive problem-solving. This includes everything from vendor load in, fabrication and build timing plus artist arrivals and logistics.
Anticipate + resolve conflicts between artists and last-minute changes with their vision and world building with managing vendors and their expectations with the last-minute changes knowing this can happen at any given moment even onsite during build or well before.
Build, manage, and optimize budgets for promotional events, showcases, and experiential activations for both artists and label events. Partner with Finance/Marketing to create and secure budgets. Identify efficiencies and recommend solutions that reduce costs and/or improve outcomes. Use preferred and cost-effective vendors that will keep the budget low in spend Negotiate fair budgets with vendors and approve spend under an established threshold when applicable.
Oversee travel logistics for experiential activity (flights, trains, cars, hotels), ensuring seamless execution and strong cost controls. (For any events outside of Los Angeles)
Manage ticketing and VIP needs including fan solicitations, internal distribution with staff and executives, artist guest lists, credentials, VIP tables, and day-of-show parking/entry workflows.
Advance and attend shows/performances/experiences as needed to ensure label and partner needs are met and the artist experience is executed at a high standard.
Lead artist showcases and experiential builds from concept through execution—ensuring the experience reflects the artist’s identity and creates a meaningful audience reaction.
Own settlement and accounting workflows including reviewing all experiential/events accountings, calculating backend where applicable, and supporting negotiations/settlements when needed. Ensure timely invoice processing for activity-related expenses (tickets, transportation, backline/PA, security, staging, fabrication etc.).
Plan and execute internal company events/meetings by building budgets, sourcing venues, and managing third-party vendors.
Mentor and support Touring & Events/Artist Relations staff as needed; may also supervise interns.
Bring a creative, experiential lens to opportunities—helping drive forward-thinking, culturally relevant experiences that represent the artist authentically, on time and on budget (including intersections with brand activations and merchandising).

Benefits

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