Senior Manager, Product Development

We are UMG the Universal Music Group. We are the worlds leading music 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.

Famehouse a division of UMG is the preeminent leader in D2C solutions in music defining & delivering the industrys best-in-class service to connect artists with their fans. Established & headquartered in Philly Famehouse powers D2C for UMGs labels artists and Bravado along with a select roster of 3rd party clients. Our success & culture is fueled by collaborationboth within FH and with our partners. We are passionate about the impact of D2C & merchandise for artists providing a full-service solution to grow an artists owned business including strategy creative storefront merchandising fulfillment customer service technology and more.

How we LEAD:

We are seeking a strategic and experienced Senior Manager of Product Development to lead the development and execution of artist merchandise collections across Live Events/Touring and eCommerce drops.

This role serves as a senior leader within the Product Development team owning complex high-visibility artist programs from ideation through production handoff. You will work closely with Creative and key cross-functional partners to build commercially successful collections across printables cut-and-sew apparel and custom/domestic accessories.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical development expertise with financial acumen vendor strategy experience and the ability to lead teams in a fast-paced activation-driven music environment.

How youll CREATE:

Strategic Product Leadership

• Lead end-to-end development of major artist collections across tour and eCommerce channels.
• Partner with Creative at the concept stage to shape line architecture product mix and category expansion opportunities.
• Translate artist vision into commercially viable product assortments.
• Provide recommendations on category growth fabrication strategy and price tiering.

Team Leadership & Oversight

• Manage and mentor Product Development Managers and/or Coordinators.
• Oversee workload allocation across artists and launches.
• Ensure team adherence to development timelines process standards and data accuracy.
• Elevate team capabilities through coaching and best practice implementation.

Vendor Strategy & Sourcing

• Lead vendor sourcing strategy across domestic and international partners.
• Allocate programs based on capability speed-to-market margin targets and quality performance.
• Negotiate costing MOQs and timelines at a senior level.
• Build long-term vendor partnerships to support scalable growth.

Development Execution

• Oversee material selection trims construction details and print techniques.
• Provide fit direction and oversee sample review and approvals.
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of tech packs and product specs within PLM.
• Monitor sample tracking and development progress across multiple concurrent launches.

Timeline & Activation Management

• Own T&A calendars aligned to tour dates album releases and eCommerce drop schedules.
• Anticipate and mitigate risk related to launch timing.
• Ensure cross-functional alignment with Creative Production Planning and Sales teams.

Financial Ownership & Commercial Strategy

• Establish target costing across collections.
• Review P&Ls and ensure margin goals are met.
• Recommend retail pricing (RRP/MSRP) strategy based on market positioning and profitability targets.
• Identify cost engineering opportunities while preserving product integrity.

Systems & Operational Excellence

• Maintain accurate and timely product data within PLM.
• Oversee ERP product setup inputs and ensure costing integrity.
• Support process improvements to drive scalability and efficiency.

Quality & Production Handoff

• Set QA standards and provide direction to vendors.
• Ensure approved samples meet quality fit and construction expectations.
• Partner with Production to ensure seamless bulk transition.

Bring your VIBE:

• 5-7 years of experience in apparel and/or accessories product development.
• Experience in music merchandise entertainment streetwear or drop-driven businesses preferred.
• Strong technical expertise across printables cut-and-sew and custom accessories.
• Demonstrated vendor sourcing and negotiation experience.
• Experience leading or mentoring team members.
• Strong financial acumen including P&L review and pricing strategy.
• Proficiency in PLM systems and ERP platforms.
• Exceptional ability to manage multiple high-pressure launches simultaneously.
• A senior product developer who can balance creativity speed and margin.
• A leader who elevates both product and process.
• A strategic thinker who understands the business impact of development decisions.
• A strong cross-functional partner and communicator.
• Someone who thrives in the fast pace of tours surprise drops and cultural moments.

Perks Playlist:

Join an entrepreneurial global organization where authenticity boldness creativity connection drive and insight arent just valuestheyre 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

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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.