Principal Function: The Associate in Publishing Rights and Rental oversees all functions related to rental and rights management of publications for the music publishing companies of ECS Publishing Group. This includes managing rental library circulation, filling orders, preparing music, and maintaining licensing, publishing rights, and copyright requirements. Close relationships and strong communication with arts organizations and composers is essential. The ideal candidate will be an energetic self-starter who is organized, efficient, and courteous.

Responsibilities

• Manage organization and circulation of the ECS Publishing Group rental library.

• Take orders for music on rental and serve as the main point of contact for major orchestras, opera companies, universities, community groups, schools, and churches throughout the rental period.

• Track orders, ship dates, returns, and overdue items including anticipating scheduling during high volume seasons.

• Provide price quotes, perusal items, contracts, and licenses to customers, using a Microsoft Access database, other Microsoft Office programs, and book publishing and accounting software.

• Respond to customer inquiries regarding musical editions, performance requirements, adaptations, and licensing.

• Collaborate with the Director of Marketing to promote performances.

• Correspond with composers as significant performances occur, customer questions arise, and works undergo revision.

• Print, bind, prepare, and repair sheet music for rental.

• Prepare contracts and invoices for shipments, and process returns.

• Facilitate smooth distribution on behalf of companies and composers that ECS Publishing Group holds agreements with but does not directly oversee.

• Manage the administration of publishing rights, including regular reporting to all licensing agencies and issuing of grand rights, mechanical, synchronization, reprint, and arrangement licenses.

• Register copyrights and coordinate the flow of contracts and royalties related to publications.

• Maintain archive of programs and rights correspondence.

• Monitor department statistics, creating analytical reports for both rental and rights demonstrating trends and areas for improvement and innovation.

• As required: Travel to conventions, set up merchandise display, provide customer support and respond to inquiries, operate point of sale equipment.

• Other duties as assigned.

Staff Relationships

• Responsible to the President.

• Responsible for collegial relationships with all ECS Publishing Group employees.

• Work closely with the Director of Marketing/senior advisor to the rental department.

• Communicate effectively with the editorial team regarding new publications and errata.

• Communicate effectively with warehouse staff on rental orders and printing.

• Collaborate with the Financial Officer regarding royalties.

• Collaborate with the Opera Consultant and the Strings Specialist.

Knowledge

A bachelor’s degree in music with a strong background in orchestra is required.

Requires knowledge of common practices and standards used in a performance library. Some experience with printing and binding equipment helpful. Familiarity with InDesign and issuu is a plus, but not required. Knowledge of copyright and licensing will be helpful.

Skills/Qualifications

The position requires the ability to learn quickly, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, the ability to communicate effectively over the phone and in writing, excellent computer skills, some comfort with negotiation, strong math skills, and the ability to answer musical inquiries. Requires the ability to read, write, and understand contracts.

Physical Demands/Abilities

Work is performed while standing, sitting, and/or walking. Some bending, squatting, climbing, and reaching to retrieve products. Work environment includes both an office environment and light warehouse work. Requires the ability to lift and carry weights up to 30 pounds. Requires use of warehouse machinery including printers, cutters, binders, and stair-ladders.

ECS Publishing Group is the corporate parent of music publishers E. C. Schirmer Music Company, Galaxy Music Corporation, and MorningStar Music Publishers. Publications span all genres of classical and sacred music, with a specialty in choral music. ECSPG also holds a record label, Arsis Audio, and partners with its in-house distributing company, Canticle Distributing. The music produced by these companies is marketed to a large network of music dealers, as well as to professional musicians in universities, schools, churches, and major ensembles.