What do Catalogue Managers do?

A Catalogue Manager will be employed by a music publisher, record label, music archive or any company that has a music resource that needs to be made available and easily accesible to users and clients. They may devise, implement and maitain the management systems for the catalogue, and help in promote and publicise the catalogue. The catalogue may be for the general public, specific sectors of the general public such as music academics and researchers, or for the internal use of the company. Catalogues in the music industry may comprise of live music, sheet music, historical archives, music related books, musical instruments or anything related to the music business.

Most catalogues are available online, but they may also be printed. A Catalogue Manager will be required to have knowledge of the music industry, or of the specific area the company operates in. For example a record label holding a specialist jazz catalogue is likely to require a Catalogue Assistant with a knowledge of and enthusiasm for jazz. As well as managing the administration of the catalogue a Catalogue manager often also has a sales or marketing role. They are likely to have an important role in deciding what goes in to the catalogue, and what comes out. This will include managing information about copyright, royalties and licensing. Many Catalogue Managers, especially those working for record labels, will be responsible for licensing and will be expected to have expertise in this area. They will also monitor sales data, provide reports and analysis and make recommendations as well as having an input into how and where the catalogue is promoted.

A Catalogue manager needs to very organised, have an eye for detail and be excellent project managers. They will need to be confident in their use of IT and will be expected to have experience of analysing data and working with particular types of catalogue management software. If they are working with printed catalogues an understanding of design and print processes will be important. Sales and marketing expertise, and a knowledge of the market will also be highly valued.

A Catalogue Manager will be responsible for developing the catalogue strategy as well as delivering it on time and within budget. In addition to management skills good team working skills are important, as the job requires liaison with PR and marketing departments or staff, and often with musicians and with outside agencies.