Music Partnership Manager, SoundOn

Sound On is an all-in-one platform powered by Byte Dance, designed to better service music creators through each step of their career — from Byte Dance integrated promotion tools to universal music distribution, from diverse monetization opportunities to smart music creation. Sound On exists to give every music creator & label the power to authentically connect with new audiences and "do music" their way.

The Music Partnership Manager at Sound On leads strategic artist partnerships to drive revenue and market share growth within Byte Dance's music distribution ecosystem. This role combines data-driven portfolio management, high-value deal development, and cross-functional leadership to scale artist success while optimizing team operations. The ideal candidate brings strong account management expertise, music industry networks, and the ability to translate artist performance data into actionable partnership strategies.

• Manage a portfolio of music artist partners delivering differentiated services based on performance metrics and contract value, balancing efficient operations by providing value-add services for priority partners
• Structure and negotiate partnership deals (distribution agreements, catalog acquisitions, upsells) using quantitative frameworks to evaluate market share potential, revenue projections, and strategy within Byte Dance ecosystem
• Lead regular business reviews with high-value artists and provide strategic coaching on content strategy and release timing, educate on platform best practices, secure promotional resources, and identify expansion opportunities beyond music distribution
• Collaborate with BD/A&R, operations, and product teams to align artist acquisition capacity, establish realistic service expectations pre-signature
• Design scalable frameworks, playbooks and tools for team execution including artist classification systems, deprioritization protocols, capacity management strategies

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5+ years in music industry account management, artist partnerships, or label services with demonstrated revenue growth impact at tech/media companies or modern distribution platforms
• Proven track record managing partnership portfolios with quantifiable outcomes: market share growth, retention rates, deal conversions, or scaled operations
• Deep understanding of digital music distribution economics, streaming platforms, music rights/licensing frameworks, and emerging trends in AI, Music and Short-form video
• Strong analytical capabilities with experience building frameworks in Excel Sheets, setting data-driven OKRs, translating performance metrics into strategic recommendations, and conducting market analysis
• Established network within music industry including artists, managers, distributors, playlist curators, and digital platform stakeholders with ability to leverage relationships for business development
• Experience with Tik Tok creator ecosystem, short-form content strategy, social-first music marketing, or familiarity with distribution platforms (Distro Kid, Tune Core, AWAL)
• Excellent cross-functional leadership and communication skills with ability to articulate complex strategies concisely across stakeholder levels, coordinate product/marketing/BD teams, and build trust through responsiveness and value-add

Preferred Qualifications:

• Responsible & accountable work attitude. Strategic thinking, Data-driven decision making, Relationship building & trust development, Operational excellence & process optimization

Founded in 2012, Byte Dance's mission is to inspire creativity and enrich life. With a suite of more than a dozen products, including Tik Tok, Lemon8, Cap Cut and Pico as well as platforms specific to the China market, including Toutiao, Douyin, and Xigua, Byte Dance has made it easier and more fun for people to connect with, consume, and create content.

Inspiring creativity is at the core of Byte Dance's mission. Our innovative products are built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities,…