Position Description
Title: Director of Copyright
Location: New York, NY (On-Site)
Date: March 2025
About The Company
Reservoir Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSVR) is an independent music company based in New York City and with offices in Los Angeles, Nashville, Toronto, London, and Abu Dhabi. It is the first U.S.-based publicly traded independent music company and the first female founded and led publicly traded music company in the U.S. Founded as a family-owned music publisher in 2007, the company has grown to represent over 150,000 copyrights and 36,000 master recordings with titles dating as far back as 1900, and hundreds of #1 releases worldwide.
Reservoir frequently holds a Top 10 U.S. Market Share according to Billboard’s Publishers Quarterly, was twice named Publisher of the Year by Music Business Worldwide’s The A&R Awards, and won Independent Publisher of the Year at the 2020 Music Week Awards.
Its publishing catalog includes historic pieces written and performed by greats like Billy Strayhorn, Hoagy Carmichael, and John Denver; the contemporary-classic catalogs of Sheryl Crow and Phantogram; and current award-winning hits performed by the likes of Lady Gaga, Camila Cabello, Bruno Mars, Cardi B and more. The company’s roster of active writers and producers includes the award-winning James Fauntleroy, Ali Tamposi, and Jamie Hartman, plus popular performing artists 2 Chainz, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, and Offset.
Reservoir’s collection of film music includes rights to scores created by award-winning composer-producer Hans Zimmer, as heard in the motion pictures The Lion King, the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Gladiator, The Dark Knight Trilogy, and over 150 other titles. The company also represents a multitude of recorded music through Chrysalis Records, Tommy Boy Music, and Philly Groove Records and manages artists through its ventures with Blue Raincoat Music and Big Life Management.
The Position
Reservoir is seeking a Director of Copyright to lead its copyright operations within its music publishing division. This role will oversee the delivery of copyright data to global partners, manage publishing conflicts, communicate with clients, enhance revenue opportunities, and ensure accurate administration of catalog metadata.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in copyright administration, extensive knowledge of industry standards (e.g., CWR, catalog takeover and conflict resolution processes), and a track record of optimizing revenue collection through proactive copyright management. The role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:
- Oversee the preparation, accuracy, and timely delivery of CWR (Common Works Registration) files to global music users, collection societies, and other partners, while ensuring compliance with evolving industry standards.
- Manage the circulation of Letters of Direction (LODs) to confirm ownership splits for new acquisitions and catalog updates while tracking approvals and delivery statuses across partners.
- Lead the resolution of publishing conflicts across all collection societies, DSPs, and direct licensing partners, ensuring accurate ownership claims and maximizing revenue collection.
- Strengthen relationships with service partners and industry collectives to improve the identification of unclaimed uses and to optimize copyright claiming processes across all revenue sources.
- Serve as the point of contact for songwriters and their representatives to ensure excellence in administration services.
- Manage and mentor copyright department employees and interns, delegating tasks effectively while fostering professional growth and ensuring department priorities align with company objectives.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Music Business or a related field.
- 5-7+ years of experience in copyright administration within the music publishing industry.
- Strong understanding of copyright claiming processes, CWR management, administration changes, and music metadata standards.
- Experience resolving conflicts at global collection societies, DSPs, and other digital platforms.
- Excellent communication skills when working with clients and internal teams.
- Strong leadership and mentoring abilities, with experience managing teams.
- Established relationships with collection societies and industry service providers.
- A passion for music and a commitment to ensuring songwriters and rights holders receive proper credit and compensation.
Compensation:
An annual base salary commensurate with skills and experience in the range of $75K to $90K, plus bonus and competitive benefits will be offered to the successful hire.
Diversity and Equal Opportunity
The company is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, age, or any other status protected by law. Further, the company strives to create a diverse, welcoming, equitable and inclusive environment for all applicants and employees.
Contact:
To apply for this role, or to recommend a qualified professional, please send resume and cover letter to jobs@reservoir-media.com
