Strategy Director Jobs in Santa Monica, CA

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:

We are currently seeking an accomplished Senior Vice President, Strategic Finance & Planning to own and orchestrate UMG’s enterprise-wide planning, budgeting and forecasting process, set corporate targets, and deliver consolidated, forward-looking financial insights that enable strategic decision-making by senior Finance & Executive leadership.

This role requires extensive FP&A and corporate finance expertise, with proven experience owning and orchestrating enterprise-wide planning processes across complex, multi-territory organizations. The ideal candidate is comfortable with modern planning tools, driver-based models, and AI/ML-enabled forecasting and has the presence to set and defend financial targets with senior stakeholders. Clear and structured communication, and the ability to partner effectively across divisional profit centers, as well as corporate departments, are essential.

How you’ll CREATE:

• Corporate strategy & target-setting: Facilitate UMG’s strategic planning process and ensure financial plans and targets are anchored to strategic priorities. Partner with executive leadership to translate strategy into financial targets, KPIs, and resource allocation decisions. Set de-averaged targets by territory/profit center/business line and pressure-test submitted plans
• PBF ownership: Own the end-to-end enterprise planning framework, integrating the long-range plan (LRP) with annual financial plan/budgeting, and forecasting (PBF) processes and establishing overall cadences for those cycles
• Business performance partnership: Develop a deep understanding of UMG's business drivers and improvement levers. Run scenarios and sensitivities to inform decisions. Constructively challenge division, territory, and corporate departmental submissions. Act as a thought partner to the Global FP&A Lead and CFO on financial outlook, risks, and opportunities, as well as on business performance and value creation
• Enterprise financial insights & reporting: Partner with the Corporate Controllership office to produce consolidated enterprise performance narratives and forward-looking views, including full P&L, cash flow, and balance sheet impacts. Interpret results against business drivers and surface improvement levers to inform action. Collaborate on joint preparation of Board and Capital Markets presentation materials with Investor Relations, Corporate Development, and Corporate Controllership offices
• Set PBF tool & data standards: Set planning tools, data standards, and planning logic standards across divisional profit and cost centers; mandate adoption in partnership

with COEs and operational finance leaders to drive adoption of best practices, processes and new tools / platforms

• Cross Functional Partnership: Collaborate with Corp Controllership on shared data foundation between actuals and forecasts to avoid duplication. Partner with CIO and CDAO on PBF tool modernization and platform implementation to power an AI-enabled forecasting and reporting infrastructure. Work with Planning/Forecasting COE and BI & Analytics COE to embed standardized tools and driver-based models into the planning and forecast process
• Team leadership: Build, Lead and mentor a high-performing Central FP&A team

Bring your VIBE:

• 15+ years of FP&A and corporate finance expertise
• Experience owning and orchestrating enterprise-wide planning processes across complex, multi-territory organizations
• Ability to set and defend financial targets with senior stakeholders
• Comfort with modern planning tools, driver-based models, and AI/ML-enabled forecasting
• Exceptional communication, influencing, and leadership skills

Perks Playlist:

Join an entrepreneurial, global organization where authenticity, boldness, creativity, connection, drive, and insight aren’t just values—they’re how we work every day. Here are some of the ways we support you along the way (and just a few of the benefits we offer):

• 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

Check out our full overview of benefits on the Perks Playlist page of the career site.

Disclaimer: This job description only provides an overview of job responsibilities that are subject to change.

Universal Music Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an E-Verify employer in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah.

Please note, UMG is not enrolled in E-Verify in California and New York, and cannot support employment of candidates whose employer must enroll in E-Verify, for example candidates on STEM-OPT.

For more information, please click on the following links.

E-Verify Participation Poster: English / Spanish

E-Verify Right to Work Poster: English | Spanish

Job Category:

Salary Range:

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. All candidates are encouraged to apply.