About Downtown
Downtown Music Holdings (Downtown) is a modern global music company. We help millions of creators, rights holders and their partners to manage their music as a business and get paid fairly for their work. We’re working to build a more equitable global music industry because we believe when creators and their partners are fairly compensated, they are empowered to keep creating and investing back in to the world.
We service over 50 million music assets from hundreds of countries across six continents, including some of the most well-known songs in popular music. Working with creators at every stage of their career, from emerging songwriters to iconic performers, our business model drives equity across the entire global music industry supply chain.
Role Overview
Downtown Music is hiring a
VP, AI to lead the introduction of AI across our products and operational processes.
This role will be responsible for turning AI from experimentation into delivery — embedding AI capabilities into Downtown’s technology platforms, while also driving measurable efficiency and quality improvements across operational teams.
Working across engineering, product, data, and business operations, the Head of AI will ensure Downtown builds practical, secure, and differentiated AI systems that support creators, rights holders, and internal teams.
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can bridge strategy and execution, and who knows how to ship.
Key Responsibilities
AI Product Innovation & Delivery
- Identify and deliver AI-powered enhancements across Downtown’s product suite (royalties, publishing, distribution, creator services).
- Partner with Product and Engineering teams to build AI features that create clear customer value.
- Ensure AI is embedded into product roadmaps, not treated as a side lab.
- Develop reusable AI components (LLM services, retrieval, evaluation, tooling) to support multiple teams.
Operational Optimisation & Automation
- Drive the use of AI to improve efficiency across internal workflows (rights operations, finance, support, reporting, onboarding).
- Identify repeatable opportunities for automation and process redesign.
- Deliver measurable improvements in cycle time, cost-to-serve, and operational quality.
- Establish best practices for AI-assisted internal work across the group.
AI Strategy, Governance & Enablement
- Define Downtown’s approach to responsible AI adoption, including privacy, compliance, and IP considerations.
- Partner with Security, Legal, and IT to ensure safe deployment of AI systems.
- Build frameworks for model evaluation, monitoring, and quality control.
- Provide clear guidance on “what good looks like” for AI usage internally.
Leadership & Capability Building
- Build and lead a small, high-impact AI function supporting product and operations.
- Act as the senior internal advisor on AI opportunities, risks, and execution.
- Upskill teams through training, playbooks, and embedded collaboration.
External Awareness & Partner Management
- Track developments in AI, music tech, and rights-related applications.
- Manage relationships with key vendors, platforms, and strategic partners where relevant.
- Represent Downtown externally as a leader in applied AI for music services.
What Success Looks Like (First 12–18 Months)
- AI features are live in core Downtown products, improving customer outcomes.
- Operational teams see significant automation and reduced manual workload.
- Downtown has shared AI infrastructure rather than scattered pilots.
- Clear governance exists for safe and compliant AI usage.
- AI becomes a compounding capability across the organisation.
Required Experience
- Senior experience delivering AI-enabled products or automation in a production environment.
- Strong understanding of modern AI systems (LLMs, workflow automation, retrieval, evaluation).
- Proven ability to work across engineering, product, and operational teams.
- Track record of execution: shipping, scaling, and measuring outcomes.
Preferred Experience
- SaaS or platform businesses with complex data and workflows.
- Experience in music, media, fintech, or rights-driven industries is a plus.
- Familiarity with operationally heavy domains (royalty processing, publishing admin, distribution logistics).
Personal Attributes
- Builder mindset: pragmatic, delivery-focused, outcomes-driven.
- High judgment around risk, compliance, and real-world constraints.
- Able to create momentum across multiple business units.
- Excited by AI as infrastructure, not theatre.
