Music Managers Forum seek an Industry Relations Manager

Position type: Full time
Reporting to: CEO
Start date: August 2024

Interested applicants are encouraged to speak to Annabella Coldrick, CEO, for an informal chat about the role. 

To apply: Please send a CV and cover letter telling us why you are the best person for the role to annabella@themmf.net by 4pm on Friday 21 June. We will be reviewing CVs as they come in, so early applications are encouraged.

About The Music Managers Forum
The Music Managers Forum (MMF) is the world’s largest community of professional music managers with a membership of over 1,500- ranging from UK-based global businesses that represent some of the world’s most successful creative talent through to emerging managers taking their first steps in the industry.

Since its inception in 1992, the MMF has worked hard to educate, innovate and advocate on behalf of our members, and through international affiliations, we plug into a wider network of over 2,700 managers worldwide. Our Associates Programme links members with companies that enable and support their businesses such as DSPs, labels, publishers, lawyers, accountants and tech companies.

We are the founders of campaigns such as the #LetTheMusicMove, the FanFair Campaign against Secondary Ticketing, and Dissecting the Digital Dollar. We have developed initiatives such as our music manager development programme, Accelerator, and have a growing suite of educational resources including the Essentials of Music Management book. We also co-host the annual Artist and Manager Awards with the Featured Artists Coalition.

The Role
It’s an exciting time for the MMF as our membership continues to grow, our campaigns are making national headlines and we are now an Arts Council England national portfolio organisation, all of which has led to an expansion of our programmes, partnerships and events.

We’re looking for a dynamic and ambitious Industry Relations Manager to drive the Artist & Manager Awards, grow our corporate Associate partnerships and events programme, seek out opportunities for MMF members, and increase revenue to support the organisation’s development and sustainability. Current MMF Associate members include YouTube Music, TikTok, Amazon Music, accountancy firms, tech companies, and legal firms. Our education team runs a parallel programme for universities and educational establishments that have an interest in engaging with music managers.

This position will require a highly organised creative-thinker and relationship builder with experience in creating and maintaining relationships, outstanding account management skills and a willingness to deliver partner events . We are looking for a proactive, confident, diplomatic and clear communicator who thinks ahead with a strategic approach.

Music industry experience is desirable, though not essential. The role would suit someone with an entrepreneurial spirit and interest in new music tech. The MMF recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Partnerships – Acquisition, Account & Relationship Management

• Proactively identify, prospect, negotiate with, define deliverables for and onboard new corporate Associate members. These would be suitable companies across the music industry, tech and other services, which will provide opportunities for music managers.

• Manage inbound partnership inquiries and determine the compatibility of companies for potential partnerships, working with the Membership Secretary to match these with the needs of members.

• Maximise income from partnerships in order to further grow and develop the MMF and the service offered to members.

• Work in collaboration with existing Associate members to deliver value through partnership activity outlined in proposals, for example, events, roundtables, marketing opportunities.

• Develop new initiatives in collaboration with Associate members, for example, legal and accountancy helplines.

• Deliver excellent customer service to Associate members, through responding to requests in a timely manner and proactively identifying beneficial opportunities for them.

• Coordinate updates from Associate members to be shared via channels such as members newsletter and MMF social media.

• Handle administrative processes involved in onboarding new Associate members – coordinating invoicing and account activation.

• Maintain relationships with potential partners and constantly seek to develop new relationships which will benefit the organisation’s partnership leads pipeline.

Member Events

• Lead the overall MMF events programming and overall scheduling, with input from the wider MMF team.

• Deliver in-person and online events to fulfil Associate partnership deliverables and offer unique and develop interesting learning and networking opportunities for MMF members.

• Coordinate MMF activity at conferences such as The Great Escape, SXSW, Reeperbahn etc.

• Implement new events to drive member engagement.

Artist & Manager Awards

• Project management of our flagship awards event, the Artist & Manager Awards, working with support from the MMF and FAC (sister-organisation) teams and external production to deliver the event from start to finish.

• Responsible for overall P&L of the event, working with associates/sponsors to ensure revenue is maximised and keep costs in check.

• Establish planning timeline and delegate within the team, while working across all aspects of the event – from sponsorship and ticket sales, to nominations process, liaising with sponsors, award winners/nominees and driving show production in collaboration with contracted Events Producer.

General

• Represent the MMF at industry events, which will require working beyond 6pm.

• Develop an understanding of the music sector, in particular the challenges and opportunities for managers.

• You may, from time to time, be required to fulfil other duties outside of these core responsibilities.

Skills and Competencies

Essential

• 5+ years experience in a similar or relevant role.

• Excellent time management skills, the ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously and work well under pressure.

• Sales capability and a track record in securing new business.

• Experience in delivering events (online and in-person).

• High attention to detail and excellent project management skills and communication skills.

• A keen interest in music management, new technologies and innovation in the music industry. For example, AI, Dolby Atmos, virtual and augmented reality.

• Creative flair with the ability to produce impactful membership/sponsorship proposal decks, event marketing and relevant visual assets.

Desirable

• Music industry experience.

• Existing relationships with potential partners at budget holder and decision-maker level.

What we can offer 

• Salary c. £40k, dependent on experience.

• Contributory pension scheme.

• Working as part of a small, motivated, friendly staff team.

• Hybrid working with office days based at Ministry of Sound, London, SE1

• UK and international travel to key industry events such as SXSW, The Great Escape and Reeperbahn.

• Opportunity to engage with every part of the music sector.