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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Music Specialist

💰 $55,000 - $95,000

MusicCurationContent StrategyMedia & EntertainmentDigital Media

🎯 Role Definition

At its core, the Music Specialist is the architect of the auditory experience, a role that masterfully blends the art of music discovery with the science of data analysis. This individual is a cultural tastemaker, responsible for curating, programming, and managing music content that resonates with diverse audiences across digital platforms. They possess an encyclopedic knowledge of music—spanning genres, eras, and cultures—and use this expertise to create compelling playlists, stations, and listening experiences. By analyzing listener data and staying ahead of emerging trends, the Music Specialist ensures the platform's music offerings are fresh, relevant, and deeply engaging, ultimately shaping how people discover and connect with music.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Music Journalist or Blogger
  • A&R Coordinator or Scout
  • Radio DJ or Music Programmer
  • Record Store Manager or Buyer

Advancement To:

  • Senior Music Curator or Lead Music Programmer
  • Head of Music or Director of Curation
  • Editorial Lead, Music
  • Music Content Strategist

Lateral Moves:

  • Artist & Label Relations Manager
  • Music Marketing Specialist
  • Content Operations Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, curate, and meticulously maintain a wide-ranging portfolio of playlists and programmed streams tailored to specific genres, moods, activities, and key cultural moments.
  • Utilize a deep, encyclopedic knowledge of music history, including both mainstream and niche genres, to ensure authenticity and quality in all curated content.
  • Continuously monitor and analyze user listening data, engagement metrics, and performance analytics to inform curation decisions and optimize playlist performance.
  • Stay on the pulse of the global music scene, proactively identifying emerging artists, breaking tracks, and new genre trends to keep content fresh and ahead of the curve.
  • Write compelling, on-brand editorial copy, including playlist descriptions, artist blurbs, and thematic narratives that enrich the listener's experience.
  • Manage and program a content calendar for music releases, ensuring timely and strategic placement of new tracks, albums, and exclusive content.
  • Evaluate a high volume of new music submissions from artists, labels, and distributors, making critical selections based on quality, relevance, and brand fit.
  • Own the end-to-end programming for specific genres or content verticals, acting as the subject matter expert and primary tastemaker for that area.
  • Collaborate with global curation teams to understand regional music tastes and trends, localizing content to create a relevant experience for international audiences.
  • Design and execute A/B testing strategies for playlist sequencing, artwork, and titling to maximize listener acquisition and retention.
  • Maintain the quality and integrity of the music catalog through meticulous metadata management, including genre tagging, mood classification, and data cleansing.
  • Conceptualize and pitch new, innovative playlist and programming ideas that align with company objectives and address unmet listener needs.
  • Provide expert music supervision and selection for brand partnerships, marketing campaigns, and other cross-functional projects.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with artists, managers, and label partners to gain early access to new music and collaborative opportunities.
  • Utilize internal content management systems (CMS) and proprietary programming tools to schedule and publish all music content.
  • Ensure all programmed music adheres to strict content standards, brand guidelines, and licensing agreements to mitigate legal and brand risk.

Secondary Functions

  • Collaborate closely with marketing, social media, and design teams to create compelling promotional campaigns and visual assets for key playlists and music initiatives.
  • Partner with the Product and Engineering teams to provide expert feedback on the user experience and the development of new music discovery features.
  • Generate and present regular reports on content performance, cultural trends, and competitive analysis to key stakeholders and senior leadership.
  • Serve as an internal music expert, providing data-backed insights and qualitative feedback to inform broader content and business strategy.
  • Participate in agile development sprints and cross-functional task forces dedicated to improving the overall music ecosystem and platform functionality.
  • Support ad-hoc data analysis requests to uncover unique listening patterns and provide deeper insights into audience behavior.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Data Analysis & Visualization: Proficiency in analyzing listener data using tools like SQL, Tableau, Looker, or similar business intelligence platforms to derive actionable insights.
  • Content Management Systems (CMS): Hands-on experience with various CMS platforms for scheduling, publishing, and managing digital content.
  • Playlist Programming Tools: Expertise in using proprietary or third-party music curation and scheduling software.
  • Metadata Management: A strong understanding of music metadata standards and best practices for catalog organization and enrichment.
  • Music Scheduling Software: Familiarity with professional music scheduling systems (e.g., GSelector, MusicMaster) is a significant plus.
  • Digital Audio Workstations (DAW): Basic knowledge of DAWs (like Audition or Pro Tools) for simple audio editing can be beneficial.
  • Copyright & Licensing Knowledge: A foundational understanding of music copyright, publishing, and licensing agreements within the digital space.

Soft Skills

  • Encyclopedic Music Knowledge: A deep and passionate knowledge of a wide array of music genres, artists, and historical context.
  • Cultural Trend Forecasting: The innate ability to identify and anticipate emerging cultural and musical trends before they become mainstream.
  • Creative & Editorial Writing: Exceptional writing skills with the ability to craft engaging, concise, and brand-aligned copy.
  • Strong Collaborative Spirit: A proven ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams and build positive relationships with internal and external partners.
  • Analytical and Critical Thinking: The skill to interpret complex data and qualitative feedback to make informed, strategic decisions.
  • Adaptability and Agility: The capacity to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and pivot strategies based on new information.
  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: A precise and detail-oriented approach to content programming, data entry, and quality assurance.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent practical experience in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in Musicology, Ethnomusicology, Music Business, or a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Musicology / Ethnomusicology
  • Music Business / Industry
  • Journalism / Communications
  • Media Studies
  • Data Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of professional experience.

Preferred:

Demonstrable experience in music curation, programming for a digital service provider (DSP), A&R, music journalism, radio programming, or a similar role within the music or digital media industry. A proven track record of successful content creation and a portfolio of work (e.g., playlists, written articles) is highly desirable.

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