Senior Publishing & Composer Relations Manager

Description

With a roster of internationally recognised composers and a growing catalogue of orchestral works, chamber music and opera, Birdsong Music Publishing is creating the music of the 21st century. Established in 2021, we offer full publishing and management services to our composers, supporting them and helping to develop their careers by connecting them to artists and ensembles of the highest standing and bringing their music to the widest possible audience.

Birdsong Music Publishing is an associated company of the HarrisonParrott Group, a leading arts and management company.

Job Purpose

To provide strategic, commercial and operational leadership for Birdsong Music Publishing, driving the growth of the publishing catalogue, composer roster and revenue streams. The role combines senior publishing management, business development, rights administration and commercial exploitation, whilst acting as the senior representative of Birdsong Publishing with composers, publishing partners and industry stakeholders.

As Birdsong continues to grow, the successful candidate will be expected to take a hands-on approach, balancing strategic leadership with day-to-day publishing administration and operational delivery.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Development & Business Growth

• Operational management of Birdsong Music Publishing.
• Identify, explore, and develop opportunities for growth across publishing, commissioning, licensing, and catalogue exploitation.
• Research and present potential new composer signings and publishing opportunities (A&R).
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key industry stakeholders, including publishers, promoters, orchestras, commissioning partners, sub-publishers, and licensing partners.
• Work closely with and further develop Birdsong’s relationship with Faber Music and other publishing partners.
• Prepare reports for the Board on Birdsong’s performance, progress, and achievements, including the annual Deep Dive presentation.
• Lead business development initiatives to expand Birdsong's publishing catalogue and client base.
• Identify and pursue new revenue-generating opportunities, including publishing signings, sync opportunities, catalogue acquisitions and commercial collaborations.
• Develop strategic partnerships across the publishing, media, sync and wider music sectors.
• Contribute to the long-term growth strategy of Birdsong Publishing and support the expansion of the business.
• Act as a senior external ambassador for Birdsong Publishing.

Composer Relationship management

• Act as a key point of contact where needed between the Publishing back end and the composer management teams and, in some cases, directly to Composers
• Support composer managers in the strategic development of their Composer careers, including short- and medium-term planning.
• Maintain clear communication regarding commissions, publishing matters, projects, performances, and delivery schedules.
• Advocate for composers' interests while ensuring alignment with Birdsong’s commercial and artistic objectives.

Publishing Operations, Administration & Rights Management

• Oversee the administration of Birdsong’s publishing catalogue and rights portfolio.
• Supervise the accurate registration of works, royalty tracking, income monitoring, and compliance with publishing agreements.
• Manage and resolve complex publishing matters, rights issues, and contractual queries, working with the Synch /Rights manager.
• Ensure publishing data, records, and reporting systems remain accurate and up to date.
• Support the promotion and commercial exploitation of Birdsong’s catalogue and signed writers.
• Manage the day-to-day operational administration of the publishing catalogue.
• Oversee score handling, delivery and distribution requirements for commissioned and catalogue works.
• Coordinate publishing materials and delivery requirements with composers, production teams, publishers and commissioning organisations.
• Ensure publishing records, contracts, schedules and supporting documentation are maintained to a high standard.
• Support the implementation of publishing systems, automation and process improvements.
• Be prepared to undertake both strategic and administrative activities within a growing business environment.
• Ensure the timely administration of score hire, score distribution and associated publishing materials.

Contract Management support

• Support Composer management teams on contractual arrangements relating to commissions, performances, publishing, and licensing activities.
• Manage contracts from initial negotiation through execution, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Liaise with legal advisers, finance teams, publishers, and other stakeholders on contractual matters.

Licensing & Revenue Development

• Identify, develop, and negotiate licensing opportunities across film, television, advertising, sync, digital media, and emerging platforms.
• Maximise publishing revenue through strategic exploitation of rights and catalogue assets.
• Work closely with marketing, sync, and external partners to create new commercial opportunities for composers and repertoire.

Project & Delivery Oversight

• Coordinate and oversee the delivery of commissions, projects, and publishing commitments, ensuring contractual obligations and deadlines are met.
• Monitor project progress and proactively manage risks to successful delivery.
• Maintain accurate schedules, artist calendars, commissioning timelines, and delivery deadlines.
• Provide oversight and guidance to support staff and coordinators where required.

Financial Management & Reporting

• Oversee financial processes relating to assigned composers and publishing activities, including invoicing, commission tracking, royalty management, and reporting.
• Work closely with Finance and the Composer Managers to provide publishing revenue forecasts and financial projections.
• Monitor revenue performance across assigned composers, projects, and catalogue assets.
• Support timely processing of invoices and resolution of financial queries.

Marketing, Communications & Stakeholder Engagement

• Support marketing, PR, and promotional activities for composers, projects, and catalogue works.
• Provide content, updates, and materials for campaigns, digital platforms, and external communications.
• Act as a key point of coordination between internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure effective communication and delivery.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervise the Assistant Publishing Manager and provide guidance on publishing administration and rights management.
• Work closely with Composer Managers, Artist Coordinators, Legal, Finance, Marketing, and Sync teams to ensure coordinated delivery of services.
• Foster a collaborative working environment and support the development of team capabilities and best practice.
• Support the development of Birdsong's publishing structure, future resourcing requirements and scalable operational processes to support business growth.

Process Improvement & Governance

• Contribute to the development and implementation of efficient processes, workflows, and accountability structures.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational effectiveness and reduce duplication across teams.
• Ensure activities are carried out in accordance with company policies, industry standards, and regulatory requirements.

General Responsibilities

• Perform all duties with reasonable skill, care, diligence, and professionalism.
• Ensure all activities align with Birdsong’s strategic objectives, policies, and business priorities.
• Undertake any additional responsibilities reasonably required to support the effective operation and development of the business.
• The scope and priorities of the role may be adjusted from time to time to reflect organisational needs.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

We are seeking an experienced music publishing professional with strong commercial acumen, expertise in publishing administration and rights management, and a passion for contemporary classical music. The successful candidate will be a proactive relationship-builder, capable of balancing strategic leadership with hands-on operational delivery in a growing publishing business.

Essential:

• Significant experience (5+ years) in music publishing, rights management, composer management or a closely related area of the music industry.
• Strong knowledge of music copyright, publishing administration, rights management and royalty processes
• Experience managing publishing agreements, commissioning contracts, licensing arrangements and related negotiations.
• Demonstrable experience of work registrations, copyright registrations and liaising with collection societies (e.g. PRS).
• Proven ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with composers, publishers, commissioning partners and industry stakeholders.
• Commercially minded with experience identifying and delivering revenue-generating opportunities.
• Excellent project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines.
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail and administrative rigour.
• Ability to operate effectively at both strategic and operational levels, including undertaking hands-on publishing administration where required.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook.

Desirable:

• Experience leading, managing or developing a publishing function, department or team.
• Knowledge of sync licensing, media partnerships and wider music rights exploitation opportunities.
• Experience of score management, music materials administration or catalogue operations.
• Strong knowledge of contemporary classical music and an established network within the publishing and performing arts sectors.

Benefits

• 25 days of paid holiday per year (pro-rated) in addition to statutory bank and public holidays. 5 of these days are to be taken during the office closure period in December. Increasing to 28 days after 5 years’ service.
• 1 paid moving day per year.
• Company Pension Scheme.
• Annual ticket allowance for Polyarts and HarrisonParrott artist events.
• Flexi time and hybrid working.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and value diversity. Applications are welcomed from candidates of all backgrounds.

Closing date for applications: 17th August 2026