Accelerating Careers and Growing Talent From Within: The Spotify Program

At Spotify, we’ve always believed that our greatest hits come from the people behind the scenes – the bandmates who dream big, take smart risks, and drive us forward. Therefore, as we continue to evolve, so must our approach to developing the talent that shapes the future of Spotify. 

Our belief is that everyone is a talent – we believe in a growth mindset where all band members have the ability and get the opportunity to develop to be their best. We have an array of development opportunities for all talent – individuals, teams, and leaders. 

In our quest to develop talent in all stages of their career, this year we are honing in on our leaders that we believe have the potential to step into our executive leadership team in the future. And we want to do this in a way that is truly Spotify rather than taking a cookie-cutter approach. That’s why we’re building The Spotify Program – a new, thoughtfully designed development experience created specifically for this select group of senior bandmates. It’s more than just a training program. It’s an investment in our people and Spotify’s future, built on the idea that growing from within is not only possible – it’s essential, and our company’s success depends on it.

Designed for Today, Built for Tomorrow

The Spotify Program is part of our broader commitment to nurturing homegrown talent. We want band members to see a future here – and not just any future, but one they’re excited to build. Whether it’s stepping into new roles, taking on stretch projects, or deepening their leadership craft, we’re here to support that growth. What makes this program unique for us is the full commitment of our executive team in being part of leading and creating the program, partnered with the fact that it’s designed for those who may one day lead the company – not just as functional experts, but as enterprise-wide, strategic leaders.

Being Chosen — and Staying Inclusive

Let’s be real – being selected for a development program like this is a big deal – it’s a recognition of potential, of contribution, and of readiness for the next step. However, we’re also aware that with selection comes another side of the coin: the risk of others feeling left out.

As mentioned, at Spotify, we believe that everyone is a talent. This program is just one of many ways we support growth, and it’s not the only path to leadership or career development. It’s important to us – and to all leaders – to communicate that clearly.

Programs like this should open doors, not close them. And the real success of The Spotify Program will be measured not just by how well this cohort develops, but also by how we continue to foster a culture of learning, opportunity, and inclusion for all bandmates – everywhere, all the time.

The Spotify Program?

The Spotify Program goes beyond conventional leadership development – it’s rooted in the belief that the best way to prepare our future leaders is by learning from those already steering the ship. That’s why the program is anchored in the Spotify context, led by our executive team, and centered around the real challenges we face. It’s made up of four core components – each intentionally designed to help participants grow as business leaders in the Spotify context:

1. Modular Learning

Each module focuses on a theme that reflects the real, evolving needs of leaders at Spotify. From business theory, leadership and emerging markets to understanding complexity, strategic thinking and cross-functional collaboration. We’re not just checking boxes – we’re preparing our leaders to thrive in the complexities of our business. In each module our CEO, co-presidents and/or other executives share their knowledge and experience.It’s a high touch program with 100% investment from our most senior leaders. 

2. Learning Through Real Spotify Cases

Much like an apprentice learning from a master carpenter, our participants study Spotify-specific cases – the good, the great, and the ones with valuable lessons. These aren’t theoretical. They’re real decisions, dilemmas, and outcomes from our own story. And halfway through the program, participants will apply what they’ve learned by leading a current project with real business impact. It’s learning by doing, the Spotify way.

3. Executive Coaching

Each participant is matched with an executive coach who walks alongside them throughout the journey. Because we know that personal growth isn’t just about frameworks – it’s about reflection, feedback, and someone asking the right questions at the right time.

4. Stakeholder Understanding

Leadership at Spotify means seeing the full picture. That’s why we spend time deeply exploring the stakeholders we serve and partner with – users, creators, labels, advertisers, and more. We push beyond the data to understand what truly matters to them, and in doing so, become better leaders of our product, our business, and our culture.

It’s Bigger Than Just One Program

This initiative is just one of many ways we’re investing in our people’s growth. Whether a bandmate is part of this current program, future versions of the program, or engaged in any of our other development experiences across the company, they should know this: growth at Spotify isn’t a side note. It’s a headline.

And when it comes to building the next generation of company leadership, we’re not leaving it to chance – we’re building it from within.