ARTIST MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION

An Artist Manager guides a music roster through the full arc of a recording and touring career. Each client on the roster relies on one person to synchronize release schedules, PRO and neighbouring rights registrations, press strategy, and live campaign logistics into a single coherent plan. The music industry's fragmented deal structure, spanning labels, publishers, booking agents, and broadcast partners, means no campaign moves without someone who holds those threads together. Competing priorities are constant, and the margin for a missed announcement window or an unsigned sync deal is slim.

As the Artist Manager, you own the day-to-day career trajectory of each artist on your roster, translating creative ambition into executed release campaigns, touring plans, and industry relationships that generate measurable commercial outcomes. You report to the director and work across label, live, publishing, and social media touchpoints to keep every artist moving forward on schedule and on strategy.

Career Impact: Deep exposure to contract negotiations, global release strategy, and label deal points builds the kind of market fluency that distinguishes a senior manager from a coordinator within three to five years.

Business Impact: Every campaign plan you execute directly determines an artist's chart performance, streaming numbers, and live revenue for that cycle, outcomes the director and roster depend on you to protect.

Growth Opportunity: Managing a diverse roster that spans digital-first releases and live touring gives you cross-functional experience in A&R, marketing, and business affairs that opens the path toward a director or partner seat.

• Plan and implement music release campaigns spanning global schedules, press strategy, and promotional timelines for each artist on the roster.
• Coordinate touring logistics including travel, venue timelines, show announcements, and guest list management across all active dates.
• Register new recordings and compositions with the relevant PRO and neighbouring rights organisations to protect artist revenue streams.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with label contacts, booking agents, publishers, lawyers, and broadcast partners on behalf of each client.
• Manage artist social media presence and online advertising campaigns across major platforms to support each release cycle.
• Negotiate and administer client contracts and bookings, including an understanding of standard deal points and advance structures.
• Prepare press strategies, briefing materials, and presentation decks for campaign launches and advance career planning with the director.
• Monitor and report on campaign KPIs, flagging variances to the director and proposing adjustments within active release windows.

• Bachelor's degree in music business, communications, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 2 or more years of artist management or music industry experience, with direct involvement in release campaigns or touring coordination.
• Demonstrated understanding of PRO registration processes, neighbouring rights, and standard recording or publishing deal structures.
• Proven ability to manage multiple artist schedules simultaneously, including time-sensitive announcements and live event logistics.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing press materials, campaign briefs, or client-facing documents.
• Established or developing network of contacts across labels, booking, broadcast, or live sectors of the music industry.
• Ability to work outside standard hours and remain responsive during active tour or release periods.

• Fluency in a second language, particularly for artists with international release markets or touring commitments in non-English-speaking territories.
• Experience with digital advertising campaign management across social platforms in support of a music release or event.
• Background in A&R scouting, sync licensing, or music publishing administration as a complement to core management work.
• Graphic design or content production capability to support artist visual identity across social and digital channels.

• Release campaign delivery rate: percentage of planned announcement milestones hit on schedule.
• PRO and rights registration turnaround: average days from delivery to completed registration per release.
• Artist roster retention rate: proportion of active clients renewing management agreements annually.
• Social audience growth rate: follower and engagement trajectory across managed artist profiles within each campaign cycle.
• Contract execution cycle time: average days from negotiation close to signed agreement per booking or deal.
• Typical tools: artist and project management platforms (commonly Asana or Monday); social analytics dashboards (commonly Sprout Social or native platform tools).

• Base Salary Range: $50,000–$75,000 annually, varying by roster size and market
• Bonus: performance-based commission on artist earnings or campaign revenue milestones
• Equity: uncommon at this level; occasionally offered at boutique management firms
• Health Benefits: medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution varies by firm size
• PTO: 10–15 days annually, plus industry event and touring flexibility
• Common Perks: concert and event access, industry conference attendance, travel reimbursement for touring support

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Employment is contingent on the successful completion of a background check. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process are encouraged to request one. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Artist Manager builds and sustains relationships with artists and suppliers through studio visits, contract negotiations, and curated exhibition proposals, directly supporting the gallery's commercial and creative pipeline. Working alongside the Collections Manager, Sales Director, and Collaborations Director, this role ensures artwork data, pricing, logistics, and exhibition calendars align with executive strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with artists and suppliers through regular meetings, emails, phone calls, and studio visits.
• Regulate communication among gallery executives, artists, and suppliers.
• Source and identify new artists for the gallery.
• Participate in onboarding meetings and contract negotiations between artists and gallery executives.
• Manage administration of artist contracts.
• Liaise with the accounts department on contract administration.
• Obtain documentation, including contracts, artwork information sheets, and artwork images.
• Curate artist collections and create artist proposals for executive approval.
• Coordinate with the Collections Manager on entering data into Art Logic.
• Liaise with the Sales Director on current market conditions and pricing of incoming artworks.
• Support logistics for the distribution and framing of artworks between galleries.
• Work with the Collaborations Director to curate spaces and create lists of 20–25 artworks for collaborating venues.
• Curate exhibitions and create exhibition proposals, considering locations, and maintain exhibition calendars in collaboration with the marketing and commercial teams.

Required Qualifications

• Proven experience managing provider expectations in a retail setting.
• Proven experience creating contracts.
• Background in ERP systems is highly regarded.
• Experience in account management is highly regarded.
• Experience in project management is highly regarded.
• Advanced Excel skills.

Embedded within the Design team at Duolingo, the Artist Manager leads a diverse group of artists across mobile apps, brand, and community projects while partnering with producers and design leadership to ensure equitable workloads and team growth. Working closely with cross-functional partners, this role shapes headcount planning, recruiting, and the processes that sustain both team culture and high-quality creative output.

Core Functions

• Hold regular one-on-ones with direct reports and provide feedback and career development coaching.
• Collaborate with producers to prioritise and staff projects, ensuring workloads are fairly distributed and that the team has opportunities to develop new skills.
• Develop ongoing training and development opportunities for artists.
• Partner with design leadership to recommend headcount plans through data analysis.
• Support sourcing, recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and retaining a diverse team of world-class artists.
• Work closely with cross-functional partners and run efficient processes that lead to high-quality work.
• Enable and maintain a thriving, healthy team culture alongside delivering strong team output.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 3 years of experience managing artists in artist management, animation production, game development, or a similar field.
• Experience in project management and/or resource management.
• Experience in mentoring, coaching, and performance management.
• Experience creating and maintaining processes.
• High level of emotional intelligence and empathy.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills across all settings and group sizes.
• Exceptional collaboration skills, with a strong orientation toward seeking consensus and feedback.
• High level of proficiency working in spreadsheets, including formulas and automation.
• Ability to work in or relocate to Pittsburgh, PA.
• Experience with ShotGrid, Monday, and/or Asana.

Reporting to the director, the Artist Manager shapes global release campaigns, press strategies, and career development plans for clients across broadcast, live, labels, and publishing sectors. Partnering with industry peers and internal stakeholders at all levels, this role advances client visibility and long-term career outcomes through coordinated touring, social media, and contract negotiation.

Primary Duties

• Plan and implement artist music campaigns, including global release schedules, promotional and social media plans, press, marketing, and touring.
• Work with the director to prepare strategies and planning documents for clients' career development.
• Manage client profiles and demonstrate strong networking skills.
• Prepare press strategies for clients' relevant work.
• Ensure clients are accompanied to key events by a suitable team member.
• Manage client communities across all relevant social media platforms.
• Conduct contract negotiations with an understanding of deal points.
• Develop relationships with industry peers across broadcast, live, labels, legal, publishing, and other relevant sectors.
• Manage budgets across all areas, including live and promotional.
• Ensure all HR activities are completed within compliance requirements.
• Establish and maintain artist schedules and coordinate meeting materials, agendas, notes, and handouts.
• Design presentation decks, including design and copy, for traditional, social, and other channels under the direction of the relevant creative lead.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Prior experience as an artist manager is required.
• Fluency in written and spoken Chinese and English.
• Concise grammatical skills with excellent oral and written communication ability.
• Strong attention to detail with a high level of accuracy.
• Knowledge of and passion for Western pop music, specifically electronic dance music.
• Strong desire to build a career in the music industry.
• Creative problem-solving ability with a clear sense of urgency.
• Ability to collaborate, partner with, and influence stakeholders at all levels of an organisation.
• Strong management and coordination skills.
• Flexibility to take calls and respond to emails outside of standard office hours.

Sitting at the intersection of talent development and digital marketing, the Artist Manager assists the Digital Communications Executive and Managing Director in expanding the company's client list and brand exposure through competitive campaign strategy. Operating across contract negotiations, PR, event networking, and database management, this role delivers measurable improvements to KPIs for both artist talent and influencer clients.

Duties

• Update administrative protocols and follow company procedures to improve KPIs.
• Create influencer and artist profiles and marketing materials.
• Negotiate and manage contracts and bookings with talent and clients through to completion.
• Attend relevant events for networking and business development.
• Monitor emerging trends, technologies, and influencers.
• Oversee press enquiries and create PR opportunities.
• Collaborate with the team, talent, and clients to implement campaigns from conception to completion.
• Maintain an accurate and up-to-date database and follow company processing protocols.

Requirements

• Experience in influencer campaign management.
• Experience in project management.
• Strong understanding of social media and its business and promotional functions.
• Experience working in global markets across multiple international divisions.
• Impeccable verbal and written communication skills.
• Structured approach to work with a high level of attention to detail.
• Strong personality with the ability to work both autonomously and within a team.
• Effective time management skills with the ability to regularly assess and reprioritise workload.

A key member of the management team, the Artist Manager owns the full scope of day-to-day client operations, including digital content production, social media campaign management, tour logistics, and music rights registration for roster artists. Collaborating across A&R, marketing, and scheduling functions while reporting to the director, this role enables artists to grow their audiences and release music through well-coordinated, multi-platform campaigns.

Functions

• Manage day-to-day client responsibilities, reporting to the director.
• Coordinate and produce content for artists across websites, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, EDMs, and other online networks.
• Set timelines for show and tour announcements for roster artists.
• Create and monitor online advertising campaigns across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Google, and YouTube.
• Create and assist with marketing campaigns, developing new and innovative approaches to releasing and promoting music.
• Manage calendars and scheduling for roster artists, including tour logistics, travel, sessions, video and photo shoots, and grants.
• Support A&R activities and set up and manage sessions for roster artists.
• Coordinate guest lists for shows and merch for roster artists.
• Register new music with relevant PRO and neighbouring rights organisations.

Experience & Qualifications

• Experience in digital, online, and social media with a strong technical understanding of social network platforms.
• Solid writing and content creation skills.
• Graphic design skills and experience with Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, are a plus.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to think quickly, problem-solve independently, and anticipate team needs.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Creative mindset with the ability to develop unique photoshoot and video concepts.
• Genuine passion for music, ideally hip hop and R&B, with willingness to attend live gigs and events.
• Desire to learn and develop a career in the music industry.