Artist Development / A&R Specialist

ROSTR, Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Mind of a Genius is expanding its A&R team and seeking an Artist Development & A&R Specialist to work one-on-one with a roster of independent artists, serving as a trusted creative advisor and strategic partner in their development.

This hands-on, artist-facing role involves understanding each artist's music, vision, strengths, challenges, and goals, then providing practical guidance to help them progress.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in A&R, artist development, music management, labels or similar.
• Strong understanding of modern independent music landscape.
• Excellent musical judgment and ability to provide actionable feedback.
• Knowledge of music distribution, release planning, streaming platforms, and branding.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to build trust with artists from diverse backgrounds.
• Organized, reliable, and able to manage multiple artist relationships.
• Comfortable conducting consultations via Zoom and working remotely.

Responsibilities

• Conduct scheduled 45-minute one-on-one consultations.
• Lead onboarding consultations to understand artist background, goals, musical direction, and priorities.
• Build ongoing relationships with assigned artists and become familiar with their music and career progression.
• Provide personalized guidance based on each artist's individual needs and stage of development.
• Help artists establish realistic goals and actionable next steps.
• Listen to and evaluate unreleased music, demos, and works in progress; provide constructive feedback on songwriting, production, and direction.
• Advise on release sequencing, rollout planning, and catalog development; assist branding and audience development.
• Coordinate with MOAG marketing for additional promotional support.
• Maintain organized notes, track goals and milestones, and ensure consistent follow-through.

Skills

A&R experience

Artist development

Music industry knowledge

Communication skills

Tools

Zoom

Job description

About Us

Mind of a Genius is a music company dedicated to helping independent artists develop their careers through personalized guidance, creative direction, and strategic support.

Through MOAG Artist Services, we provide independent artists with direct access to experienced music industry professionals who help them navigate everything from their creative development to their release strategies and long-term career goals.

We're expanding our A&R team and looking for passionate, knowledgeable music professionals who genuinely enjoy working directly with artists.

The Role

As an Artist Development & A&R Specialist, you'll work one-on-one with a roster of independent artists, serving as a trusted creative advisor and strategic partner in their development.

This is a hands-on, artist-facing position. You'll be responsible for understanding each artist's music, vision, strengths, challenges, and goals, then providing practical guidance to help them progress.

We are looking for someone who combines strong musical instincts with excellent communication skills, industry knowledge, and a genuine passion for artist development.

Key Responsibilities

Artist Development & Consultations

• Conduct scheduled 45-minute, one-on-one video/phone consultations with artists.


• Lead initial onboarding consultations to understand each artist's background, goals, musical direction, and immediate priorities.


• Build ongoing relationships with assigned artists and become familiar with their music and career progression.


• Provide personalized guidance based on each artist's individual needs and stage of development.


• Help artists establish realistic goals and actionable next steps.

Creative Direction & Music Feedback

• Listen to and evaluate unreleased music, demos, and works in progress.


• Provide thoughtful, constructive feedback on songwriting, production, arrangements, vocal performance, and overall artistic direction.


• Help artists identify their strengths, refine their sound, and establish a clear artistic identity.


• Offer guidance on song selection, creative consistency, and release readiness.


• Assist artists with making informed creative decisions.

Release & Career Strategy

• Help artists develop practical strategies for upcoming singles, EPs, and albums.


• Advise on release sequencing, rollout planning, and long-term catalog development.


• Help artists understand the importance of branding, audience development, and consistent releases.


• Collaborate with the MOAG marketing team when artists need additional promotional support.


• Provide career guidance informed by current music industry trends and best practices.

Artist Management & Follow-Through

• Maintain organized notes and action items following artist consultations.


• Track artist goals, progress, and key milestones.


• Review relevant music and artist materials before scheduled consultations.


• Provide appropriate follow-up and recommendations between meetings.


• Coordinate with other MOAG team members to ensure artists receive a consistent, high-quality experience.


• Manage consultation availability to accommodate artist bookings within our service standards.

Qualifications

• Professional experience in A&R, artist development, music management, record labels, or closely related music industry roles.


• Strong understanding of the modern independent music landscape.


• Excellent musical judgment and ability to provide constructive, actionable feedback.


• Knowledge of music distribution, release planning, streaming platforms, and artist branding.


• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.


• Ability to build trust with artists from different backgrounds and at varying stages of their careers.


• Organized, reliable, and comfortable managing multiple artist relationships.


• Comfortable conducting consultations via Zoom and working remotely.

Preferred Experience

• Previous experience working directly with emerging or developing recording artists.


• Background at an independent or major record label, management company, or artist services business.


• Demonstrated experience helping artists improve their music or advance their careers.


• Strong understanding of one or more genres, including hip-hop, R&B, pop, electronic, alternative, or other contemporary music.


• Familiarity with the challenges independent artists face when releasing and promoting music.

Who We're Looking For

We're particularly interested in people who genuinely love discovering and developing talent.

The ideal candidate is someone who can listen to an artist's music, recognize where they are in their development, and provide meaningful guidance about what they should do next.

You should be comfortable having honest creative conversations, giving constructive criticism, encouraging artists, and helping them turn ideas into actionable plans.

Above all, we're looking for someone who understands that artist development is about building relationships, not simply giving feedback on songs.