American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)

SITUATION OVERVIEW

ZRG Partners is proud to partner with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) in their search for a Vice President, Creative Membership - Nashville.

ABOUT ASCAP

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a membership association representing more than one million songwriters, composers and music publishers, including some of the most accomplished and influential music creators in the world. For more than a century, ASCAP has championed the rights of music creators and worked to ensure that those who create music are appropriately recognized and compensated for their work.

Founded and governed by songwriters, composers and publishers, ASCAP is the only performing rights organization in the United States that operates on a not-for-profit basis. This distinctive structure allows the organization to remain firmly focused on its members and its mission: protecting the livelihoods of music creators, strengthening the value of their work and providing the resources, relationships and support they need to build sustainable careers.

ASCAP licenses a repertory of more than 20 million musical works to hundreds of thousands of businesses that use music. Its licensees span the breadth of the modern media and entertainment landscape, including streaming services, television and cable networks, radio and satellite radio, as well as hotels, restaurants, clubs, retailers and other businesses where music is publicly performed. Through its blanket license, ASCAP provides businesses with an efficient way to legally perform music from its repertory while ensuring that songwriters, composers and publishers are fairly compensated for the use of their work.

Behind that process is a sophisticated operation that collects licensing fees and identifies, matches and processes trillions of performances each year. ASCAP then distributes nearly 90 cents of every dollar collected back to its members as royalties. This combination of scale, technology, data and industry expertise enables ASCAP to connect music usage with the creators behind it and deliver meaningful economic value to its membership.

ASCAP's role in the music industry extends well beyond licensing and royalty distribution. The organization serves as an advocate and champion for the creative community, representing the interests of songwriters, composers and publishers on issues affecting copyright, compensation and the future of music. ASCAP advocates for creator rights and the value of music on Capitol Hill, invests in innovation to address a rapidly evolving music marketplace and creates opportunities for its members to connect, collaborate and advance their careers.

At its core, ASCAP is a creator-first organization. As technology continues to reshape how music is created, distributed, discovered and experienced, ASCAP remains committed to protecting the value of human creativity while embracing innovation that benefits its members and the broader music ecosystem. Through advocacy, technology, community building, professional development and an enduring commitment to fair compensation, ASCAP continues to play an essential role in supporting music creators and helping ensure that creativity can thrive for generations to come.

POSITION

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is seeking a dynamic, highly connected, and relationship-driven Vice President, Creative Membership – Nashville (“VP”) to serve as a senior ambassador for its Nashville creative community. This executive will champion, support, and advocate for ASCAP’s diverse community of songwriters, composers, and music publishers, while serving as a trusted point of contact for many of the organization’s most prominent and successful Nashville-based members.

The Vice President, Creative Membership – Nashville will play a critical role in strengthening ASCAP’s presence and influence within the Nashville music community. The executive will develop and execute strategic member outreach and engagement initiatives, identify and recruit emerging and established creative talent, and foster long-term relationships that support member retention and increase the overall strength and value of ASCAP’s repertory.

A key priority will be building and maintaining a deep network of relationships across the Nashville music ecosystem, including songwriters, artists, publishers, record labels, managers, attorneys, producers, and other influential industry stakeholders. The VP will maintain a strong pulse on the creative community, anticipate the evolving needs of ASCAP members, and identify opportunities to deepen ASCAP’s engagement with both established creators and the next generation of Nashville talent.

As a senior member of the Nashville Membership team, the VP will help shape ASCAP’s broader membership strategy in the market, strengthen engagement with high-profile members, expand ASCAP’s creative network, and reinforce the organization’s position as a leading advocate and partner for music creators.

RESPONSIBILITIES

MEMBER RELATIONS & HIGH-TOUCH SERVICE

The Vice President, Creative Membership – Nashville will

• establish, cultivate, and maintain deep, trusted relationships with ASCAP’s diverse community of songwriters, composers, and producers in the Nashville market to protect, strengthen, and grow the value of the ASCAP repertory;
• serve as the primary ASCAP point of contact for assigned high-profile creator members and their key representatives, providing high-touch service and resolving complex membership, catalog, and distribution inquiries with diplomacy;
• proactively escalate highly sensitive or complex issues to the relevant internal subject matter experts and ASCAP executive leadership to ensure swift, white-glove resolution.

INDUSTRY RELATIONSHIPS & BRAND REPRESENTATION

The Vice President, Creative Membership – Nashville will

• act as a brand ambassador and strategic voice for ASCAP at industry panels, conferences, award shows, and high-profile events to drive market awareness of ASCAP’s creator-first mission and value proposition;
• foster relationships between ASCAP members and the broader music ecosystem by maintaining strong connections with publishers, artists, record labels, licensees, lawyers, managers, agents, and trade organizations;
• partner with the Marketing & Communications team to plan, curate, and host high-impact member events and recognition initiatives.

MEMBERSHIP EXPERTISE & MEMBER ADVOCACY

The Vice President, Creative Membership – Nashville will

• develop a deep, authoritative understanding of ASCAP’s Survey and Distribution System and membership policies and procedures to confidently guide members through membership- and distribution-related inquiries;
• work cross-functionally with internal departments to continually expand and refine ASCAP services, including career development, member benefits, education, and advocacy programs.

MARKET STRATEGY & EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION

The Vice President, Creative Membership – Nashville will

• translate market analysis and industry trends into visually engaging and compelling presentations, including advanced PowerPoint collateral, with the versatility to effectively engage both small, high-profile talent teams and large organizational audiences around the ASCAP value proposition;
• analyze critical market share data and deliver strategic recommendations to key internal stakeholders and executive leadership.

CROSS FUNCTIONAL LEADERSHIP

The Vice President, Creative Membership – Nashville will

• collaborate across the ASCAP Creative Membership team to share best practices, align regional goals, and unify strategies;
• perform other duties and lead special projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

ASCAP seeks a Vice President, Creative Membership – Nashville with

• a bachelor’s degree in Music Business, Business Administration, Communications, Marketing, or a related field; an MBA, JD, or other advanced degree is preferred;
• 10+ years of progressive, leadership-level experience in the music industry, with a strong understanding of the Nashville market and broader music ecosystem;
• a deep, well-established network of high-level relationships across songwriting, music publishing, licensing, record labels, and other key areas of the Nashville and national music industry;
• a comprehensive understanding of music publishing, copyright law, performance rights, and the broader rights management landscape on a global scale;
• a discerning instinct for songwriter and composer talent, including an “ear” for music, with a proven track record of identifying, recruiting, onboarding, and nurturing high-potential creators;
• the ability to operate with a high degree of independence and autonomy, navigate ambiguity, exercise sound judgment, and maintain strong communication and alignment with ASCAP executive leadership;
• exceptional executive presence, communication, diplomacy, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with high-profile creators, industry leaders, senior executives, and other key stakeholders;
• advanced analytical capabilities, with the ability to evaluate complex market trends, assess competitive landscapes, analyze market data, and translate findings into actionable strategic recommendations;
• strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, with demonstrated experience developing influential, executive-level PowerPoint presentations that distill complex strategies, data, and industry insights into clear and compelling visual narratives;
• excellent organizational and time-management skills, with a proven ability to manage competing priorities, meet tight deadlines, and consistently deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment;
• a passionate and authentic commitment to ASCAP’s creator-first mission and core values, including transparency, fairness, collaboration, adaptability, and a future-focused mindset;
• the responsiveness, flexibility, and availability required of a senior, externally facing leader, including the ability and willingness to attend Nashville and other music industry events during evenings and weekends and travel for meetings and events as needed;
• the ability to comply with ASCAP’s current in-office policy, which is subject to change.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The Vice President, Creative Membership – Nashville will be based in ASCAP’s Nashville office and will report to the Head of ASCAP Nashville. The position is subject to ASCAP’s in-office policy.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The anticipated base salary range for this position is competitive and commensurate with experience. Compensation will be determined on an individualized basis depending on several factors that are unique to each candidate including geographic location (due to differences in the cost of labor), skills, education and prior relevant experience.

Besides providing a unique and dynamic work environment, there are a few other reasons you should consider ASCAP in your career planning. They also offer generous benefit options that are comprehensive and provide the flexibility that most employees want and need. These health care and financial plan options include the following:

• A choice of either network-only provider medical and dental plans or more flexible medical and dental plans where you can see providers in or out-of-network
• Vision plan that offers both in and out-of-network provider options
• 401(k) Plan that offers pre-tax, Roth, and an after-tax employee contribution option which includes a company match
• An additional employer paid discretionary profit share contribution, regardless of your participation in the 401(k) Plan
• Generous time-off policy
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Short-term disability insurance/salary continuation and long-term disability insurance
• Company provided basic life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Employee gym discounts at select gyms
• Commuter benefits
• Voluntary pet health insurance
• Voluntary auto and homeowner’s insurance
• Voluntary employee, spouse, and dependent life insurance options
• Voluntary ID protection Coverage

The above summary of the current benefits is subject to the terms and conditions of the benefit plan documents. This summary is not complete and is subject to the terms of the underlying plan documents. Please note that ASCAP reserves the right to amend or otherwise revise or terminate, at any time and in its sole discretion, its benefit plans, programs, and policies.

Ability to travel for in-person meetings as assigned is required.

Please be aware that ASCAP is not a nut-free or other allergen-free workplace.

APPLICATION PROCESS

ASCAP is an equal opportunity employer. All ASCAP employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications and performance and not on the basis of race, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, genetic information, disability, handicap, color, creed, religion, veteran status, or any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of ASCAP and the responsibilities and competencies presented in the position prospectus. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the successful candidate has been selected.  

To nominate a candidate or inquire about the position, please contact Tom Truitt.

ABOUT ZRG PARTNERS

ZRG is a global talent advisory firm that is changing the way companies find, hire, and manage talent through its data-driven approach to executive and professional search. The company’s digital Zi platform combines talent intelligence, candidate insights, and process improvement to dramatically deliver executive searches quicker and with proven better results.