Grip and Equipment Manager

We are UMG, the Universal Music Group. We are the world’s leading music company. In everything we do, we are committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship. We own and operate a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries. We identify and develop recording artists and songwriters, and we produce, distribute and promote the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music to delight and entertain fans around the world.
 

We are UMG, the Universal Music Group. We are the world’s leading music company. In everything we do, we are committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship. We own and operate a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries. We identify and develop recording artists and songwriters, and we produce, distribute and promote the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music to delight and entertain fans around the world.
 

Fame House, a division of UMG, is the preeminent leader in D2C solutions in music, defining & delivering the industry’s best-in-class service to connect artists with their fans. Established & headquartered in Philly, Fame House powers eCommerce for UMG’s labels, artists, and Bravado, along with a select roster of 3rd party clients. Our success & culture is fueled by collaboration, both within FH and with our partners. We are passionate about the impact of eCommerce for artists, providing a full service solution to grow an artist’s owned business including strategy, creative, storefront merchandising, fulfillment, customer service, technology, and more.

How we LEAD:

Merchandise and e-commerce is part of the fabric of music culture. For artists, it’s a way to develop and further articulate their brand. For fans, it’s another pathway to connecting with an artist and the culture they represent.

At Digital Creative & Experience, content is created at the intersection of creativity, technology, and production excellence. From artist campaigns and ecommerce experiences to product launches, social content, and brand storytelling initiatives, our Content & Experience team produces visual content that connects artists and brands with audiences around the world.

Behind every successful production is a foundation of operational readiness, technical excellence, and production support. The Grip & Equipment Manager plays a critical role in ensuring our teams have the equipment, environments, systems, and resources required to execute creative work safely, efficiently, and at the highest quality standards.

How You’ll CREATE

The Grip & Equipment Manager is responsible for overseeing the management, maintenance, preparation, and deployment of production equipment and studio resources across all Content & Experience productions. This role serves as the operational owner of production infrastructure, ensuring camera, lighting, grip, audio, and studio equipment are maintained, organized, and production-ready at all times. Working closely with Producers, Directors of Photography, Photographers, Stylists, Editors, and Content teams, the Grip & Equipment Manager helps enable seamless production execution while supporting the ongoing growth and evolution of the organization's production capabilities. Combining technical expertise with strong operational and organizational skills, this role ensures production teams can focus on creating exceptional content without being limited by equipment, logistics, or operational challenges.

• Own the management, organization, maintenance, and deployment of all production equipment

• Maintain inventory across camera, lighting, grip, audio, staging, and production support equipment

• Ensure all equipment is production-ready, tested, maintained, and functioning properly

• Develop and maintain equipment tracking and asset management systems

• Manage equipment check-in, check-out, and return processes

• Coordinate repairs, servicing, and preventative maintenance schedules

• Evaluate equipment performance and recommend upgrades or replacements when required

Production Operations

• Support productions through equipment preparation, logistics, and technical setup
• Partner with Producers and Directors of Photography to ensure productions have appropriate equipment and support resources
• Oversee equipment allocation across multiple concurrent productions
• Assist with studio setup, breakdown, and operational readiness
• Support lighting, grip, and technical requirements during productions when needed
• Ensure production environments operate safely and efficiently
• Identify and resolve equipment-related challenges before they impact production timelines

Studio & Facility Management

• Maintain studio readiness and operational standards
• Support organization and optimization of studio spaces, storage areas, and production environments
• Establish equipment handling, safety, and operational procedures
• Monitor studio resource utilization and identify opportunities for improvement
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and operational best practices

Operational Improvement

• Develop scalable processes for equipment management and production support
• Create documentation, standards, and operating procedures for production equipment and workflows
• Support onboarding and training related to equipment usage and studio operations
• Research emerging technologies and equipment innovations
• Recommend investments that improve production efficiency, quality, and scalability
• Contribute to the evolution of production infrastructure and operational capabilities

Bring Your VIBE

• 4-7 years experience supporting production operations, grip departments, equipment management, studio operations, or content production environments
• Strong knowledge of camera systems, lighting equipment, grip equipment, audio systems, and production workflows
• Experience working within photography, video production, ecommerce, entertainment, agency, or studio environments
• Strong organizational and inventory management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and production schedules simultaneously
• Understanding of production safety standards and best practices
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Passion for production, technology, and content creation
• Detail-oriented mindset with a focus on reliability and operational excellence

Success Looks Like

• Equipment is consistently organized, maintained, and production-ready
• Productions run efficiently with minimal equipment-related disruptions
• Production teams have confidence in the availability and reliability of resources
• Studio environments remain safe, organized, and operationally effective
• Equipment investments support evolving production needs
• Operational processes improve efficiency and scalability across the Content & Experience team

Production infrastructure enables creative teams to perform at their highest level

Perks Playlist:

Join an entrepreneurial, global organization where authenticity, boldness, creativity, connection, drive, and insight aren’t just values—they’re how we work every day. Here are some of the ways we support you along the way (and just a few of the benefits we offer):

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Including 100% coverage for out-patient in-network mental health services

• Fertility coverage for eligible medical plan participants

• Wellbeing reimbursements for fitness classes, spa treatments, meal services, travel, and so much more (up to $720/year)

• Student Loan Repayment Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement

• 401(k) with 100% immediate vesting on the first 5% of your contributions, plus an additional UMG contribution

A variety of ways to prioritize much-needed time away from work including:

• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) for exempt employees

• 3-weeks PTO for non-exempt employees

• 2-weeks paid Winter Break

• 10 Company Holidays (including Juneteenth and Wellbeing Day)

• Summer Fridays (between Memorial Day and Labor Day)

• Generous paid parental leave for every type of parent

Check out our full overview of benefits on the Perks Playlist page of the career site.

Disclaimer: This job description only provides an overview of job responsibilities that are subject to change.

Universal Music Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an E-Verify employer in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah.

Please note, UMG is not enrolled in E-Verify in California and New York, and cannot support employment of candidates whose employer must enroll in E-Verify, for example candidates on STEM-OPT.

For more information, please click on the following links.

E-Verify Participation Poster: English / Spanish

E-Verify Right to Work Poster: English | Spanish

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