Summary
The people here at Apple don’t just build products— they craft the kind of wonder that has revolutionized entire industries. It’s the diversity of those people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. Imagine what you could do here. When you join Apple, you help us leave the world better than we found it. A job at Apple is unlike any other you’ve had. You will be challenged. You will be inspired. And you’ll be proud! At Apple, great ideas have a way of becoming great products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish!
The Music Publishing Commercial Development team manages the rights relationships and commercial frameworks that underpin Apple Music, Apple TV and Fitness+. This role reports to the Global Head of Commercial Development in the Music Publishing organization and focuses on EMEIA and APAC markets. The team works in close partnership with cross-functional partners, including Legal, Operations, Product and Business Development, engaging externally with music publishers and collecting societies globally.
Description
This role engages in commercial negotiations and strategic relationship management with music publishing rights holders across EMEIA and APAC, directly enabling the growth and expansion of Apple's services.
It will require regular international travel across EMEIA and APAC — typically several trips per quarter — to support negotiations and in-person relationship management with key rights holders.
Responsibilities
- Conduct end-to-end commercial negotiations with music publishers and collecting societies across EMEIA and APAC, structuring deals models for multi-territory, multi-product licensing agreements
- Conclude complex licenses in partnership with Legal that support the expansion of new markets, product features, pricing strategies and commercial programs across Apple Music, Apple TV and Fitness+
- Determine and present evidence-base recommendations to senior and executive leadership
- Evaluate new partnerships, program and business initiatives in collaboration with the Business Development team, delivering commercial analysis and clear strategic recommendations
- Establish and maintain strategic relationships with key publishing rights holders, conducting regular business reviews, tracking performance against commercial agreements and identifying opportunities for growth
- Collaborate across the Music Publishing team and the wider Apple organization to bring the music publishing and songwriter perspective into decisions about product, pricing and commercial strategy
Minimum Qualifications
- Experience in commercial, licensing or business development roles within the music industry, with specific exposure to digital music or content distribution services
- Demonstrated track record of independently structuring and closing complex licensing agreements with music publishers, collecting societies or digital service providers, including multi-territory deals
- Strong financial acumen, including the ability to interpret deal models, royalty and usage data, and translate complex economics into clear recommendations for senior stakeholders
- Working knowledge of regional licensing frameworks and collective management organizations across EMEIA or APAC markets
- Bachelor's degree in Business or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working directly at a major music publisher, collective management organization or digital streaming service
- Fluency in the specific licensing and regulatory frameworks of key EMEIA or APAC markets
- Ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams — including Legal, Finance, Operations and Product — without direct authority in a matrixed organization
- Experience presenting commercial strategy or deal rationale to executive leadership
- Familiarity with licensing challenges related to emerging technologies or new product distribution models
- Proficiency in a second language relevant to key Apple publishing market
