Music Director Jobs in New York
Music director jobs in New York represent one of the most active and competitive markets in the country, with demand concentrated in performing arts organizations, K-12 and higher education, and houses of worship across every level from assistant conductor to artistic director. Most openings cluster in New York City, Buffalo, and Albany, where institutions such as the Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and the New York Philharmonic maintain lasting musical leadership needs. Choral direction, orchestral conducting, and liturgical music direction are the most consistently sought specialties. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 10+ Music Director jobs
About Sony Music Entertainment
At Sony Music Entertainment, we fuel the creative journey. We’ve played a pioneering role in music history, from the first-ever music label to the invention of the flat disc record. We’ve nurtured some of music’s most iconic artists and produced some of the most influential recordings of all time. Today, we work in more than 70 countries, supporting a diverse roster of international superstars, developing independent artists, and visionary creators. From our position at the intersection of music, entertainment, and technology, we bring imagination and expertise to the newest products and platforms, embrace new business models, employ breakthrough tools, and provide powerful insights that help our artists push creative boundaries and reach new audiences. In everything we do, we’re committed to artistic integrity, transparency, and entrepreneurship. Sony Music Entertainment is a member of the Sony family of global companies. At Sony Music’s direct-to-consumer (D2C) business unit, we are building the future of artist-to-fan commerce. The Director, Commercial Strategy – Orchard & Independent Labels leads direct-to-consumer commercial strategy for Sony Music’s independent and distributed artist roster. Embedded day-to-day with The Orchard, this role ensures independent artists can access scalable, best-in-class D2C capabilities while remaining aligned with Sony Music D2C standards, tools, and operating models.
What you'll do:
- Own D2C commercial strategy for Orchard and independent artists across planning, execution, and optimization.
- Develop scalable D2C playbooks tailored to independent artist needs, budgets, and release cycles.
- Partner with Orchard teams to prioritize releases, assortments, pricing, and drop strategies.
- Ensure consistent application of Sony Music D2C tools, tech stack, and operational processes.
- Identify growth opportunities across evergreen merch, catalog, and always-on storefronts.
- Partner with data and forecasting teams to optimize inventory, conversion, and margin.
- Act as the primary D2C commercial liaison between The Orchard and Sony Music D2C leadership.
Who you are:
- 7+ years of experience in D2C, e-commerce, or creator-led commerce environments.
- Strong understanding of independent artist ecosystems and scalable commercial models.
- Excellent commercial judgment paired with sensitivity to artist brand and fan experience.
- Comfortable operating in matrixed organizations with embedded and central responsibilities.
- Highly organized, data-driven, and execution-focused.
What we give you:
- Opportunity to shape D2C growth for Sony Music’s global independent roster
- High-visibility role working closely with artists, managers, and label leadership
- Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package
- You join an inclusive, collaborative and global community where you have the opportunity to channel your passion every day
- A modern office environment designed to foster productivity, creativity, and teamwork empowering you to bring your best
- An attractive and comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life & disability coverage, and 401K + employer matching
- Voluntary benefits like company-paid identity theft protection and resources for pets, mental health and meditation resources, industry-leading fertility coverage, fully paid leave for childbirth or bonding, fully paid leave for caregivers, programs for loved ones with developmental disabilities and neurodiversity, subsidized back-up child and elder care, and reimbursement for adoption, surrogacy, tuition, and student loans
- Investment in your professional growth and development enabling you to thrive in our vibrant community.
- The space to accelerate progress, positively disrupt, and create what happens next
- Time off for a winter recess
Sony Music is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of age, disability, national origin, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, veteran or military status, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic information or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
The anticipated annual base salary does not include any other compensation components or other benefits that an individual may be eligible for. The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.
About Sony Music Entertainment
At Sony Music Entertainment, we fuel the creative journey. We’ve played a pioneering role in music history, from the first-ever music label to the invention of the flat disc record. We’ve nurtured some of music’s most iconic artists and produced some of the most influential recordings of all time. Today, we work in more than 70 countries, supporting a diverse roster of international superstars, developing independent artists, and visionary creators. From our position at the intersection of music, entertainment, and technology, we bring imagination and expertise to the newest products and platforms, embrace new business models, employ breakthrough tools, and provide powerful insights that help our artists push creative boundaries and reach new audiences. In everything we do, we’re committed to artistic integrity, transparency, and entrepreneurship. Sony Music Entertainment is a member of the Sony family of global companies. At Sony Music’s direct-to-consumer (D2C) business unit, we are building the future of artist-to-fan commerce. The Director, Commercial Strategy – Orchard & Independent Labels leads direct-to-consumer commercial strategy for Sony Music’s independent and distributed artist roster. Embedded day-to-day with The Orchard, this role ensures independent artists can access scalable, best-in-class D2C capabilities while remaining aligned with Sony Music D2C standards, tools, and operating models.
What you'll do:
- Own D2C commercial strategy for Orchard and independent artists across planning, execution, and optimization.
- Develop scalable D2C playbooks tailored to independent artist needs, budgets, and release cycles.
- Partner with Orchard teams to prioritize releases, assortments, pricing, and drop strategies.
- Ensure consistent application of Sony Music D2C tools, tech stack, and operational processes.
- Identify growth opportunities across evergreen merch, catalog, and always-on storefronts.
- Partner with data and forecasting teams to optimize inventory, conversion, and margin.
- Act as the primary D2C commercial liaison between The Orchard and Sony Music D2C leadership.
Who you are:
- 7+ years of experience in D2C, e-commerce, or creator-led commerce environments.
- Strong understanding of independent artist ecosystems and scalable commercial models.
- Excellent commercial judgment paired with sensitivity to artist brand and fan experience.
- Comfortable operating in matrixed organizations with embedded and central responsibilities.
- Highly organized, data-driven, and execution-focused.
What we give you:
- Opportunity to shape D2C growth for Sony Music’s global independent roster
- High-visibility role working closely with artists, managers, and label leadership
- Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package
- You join an inclusive, collaborative and global community where you have the opportunity to channel your passion every day
- A modern office environment designed to foster productivity, creativity, and teamwork empowering you to bring your best
- An attractive and comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life & disability coverage, and 401K + employer matching
- Voluntary benefits like company-paid identity theft protection and resources for pets, mental health and meditation resources, industry-leading fertility coverage, fully paid leave for childbirth or bonding, fully paid leave for caregivers, programs for loved ones with developmental disabilities and neurodiversity, subsidized back-up child and elder care, and reimbursement for adoption, surrogacy, tuition, and student loans
- Investment in your professional growth and development enabling you to thrive in our vibrant community.
- The space to accelerate progress, positively disrupt, and create what happens next
- Time off for a winter recess
Sony Music is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of age, disability, national origin, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, veteran or military status, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic information or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
The anticipated annual base salary does not include any other compensation components or other benefits that an individual may be eligible for. The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.
See All 10 Music Director Jobs in New York
Find roles in New York that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Music Director JobsMusic Director Jobs by City in New York
Where New York roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Music Director Job Market in New York
A snapshot from current New York openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Sony Music Entertainment6
- Warner Music2
- Wasserman Music2
Top Industries Hiring
- Music8
- Media & Entertainment2
What New York Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in music director jobs across New York.
- Master's or doctoral degree in music conducting, music education, or a closely related field
- Demonstrated conducting experience with orchestral, choral, or theatrical ensembles
- Proficiency in score reading, music theory, and rehearsal planning for large ensembles
- Experience selecting repertoire and programming seasons aligned with organizational goals
- Strong communication and leadership skills for working with musicians, staff, and boards
- Familiarity with arts administration practices, grant reporting, and budget coordination
Music Director Jobs in New York: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a music director in New York?
Becoming a music director in New York typically starts with a graduate degree in conducting or music education from a conservatory or university program. New York does not require a state-issued license for most music director roles, but public school music directors must hold a New York State teaching certificate in music, issued through the State Education Department. Building a conducting portfolio through assistant positions, community ensembles, or regional orchestras is the most common path into full music director roles.
How much do music directors make in New York?
Music directors in New York earn a median of about $82,930 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $46,640 for the lowest 10% to over $199,430 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire music directors in New York?
Employers hiring music directors in New York right now include Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music, and Wasserman Music, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. New York's density of concert halls, religious institutions, school districts, and professional opera and theater companies means demand for music directors comes from an unusually wide range of organization types.
Which New York cities have the most music director jobs?
New York and Brooklyn have the most music director openings in New York right now. New York City dominates because of its concentration of professional orchestras, opera companies, Broadway productions, and large faith communities, while Buffalo and Albany generate steady demand through their regional symphony orchestras, university music programs, and established arts organizations that regularly fill music leadership positions.
Are there remote music director jobs in New York?
Yes, but they're rare. About 10% of music director openings tied to New York are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how fundamentally in-person the role is. Rehearsals, performances, and ensemble leadership require physical presence, though some administrative and programming duties, such as repertoire planning and grant writing, are occasionally handled remotely for hybrid roles at larger institutions.
How can I get hired as a music director in New York with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing an assistant conductor or associate director role at a community orchestra, regional theater, or large K-12 school district in the New York City metro or upstate areas. Many New York conservatories and university music programs offer conducting fellowships that provide podium time with real ensembles. Earning a New York State music teaching certificate opens doors in public school systems statewide, where department-level music director titles are common first leadership positions for early-career conductors.
Where can I find and apply to music director jobs in New York?
You can find and apply to music director jobs in New York on Migrate Mate, which lists current New York openings across performing arts organizations, school districts, religious institutions, and other employers. Search the listings, find roles that fit your background and preferred location, and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 10 Music Director Jobs in New York
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