Director, People Business Partner

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.
 

How we LEAD: 

Universal Music Group is currently seeking a Director, People Business Partner to manage the human resources (People Inclusion and Culture aka “PIC”) function for several business units.  The Director serves as a key partner to senior management in driving the business as it relates to our people and organizational effectiveness.  The Director is also responsible for managing the day-to-day HR activities including consulting and advising on policy and procedure, staffing, compensation, employee relations, culture and development, as well as organizational and change management.

How you’ll CREATE:

• Build, develop and maintain strong collaborative working relationships with management and employees across multiple business units to deliver value-added PIC services
• Develop a detailed understanding of the client’s business – departments, jobs, structure, processes, financials, vision & strategy
• Influence and coach client leadership on sound people-related business decisions
• Proactively assess client needs for PIC services and develop strategies to meet those needs
• Address all employee relations issues and other immediate issues to minimize risk in close partnership with Legal Counsel and Employee Relations
• Manage a process-driven workload and transactional responsibilities
• Facilitate effective on-boarding and exit processes
• Ensure alignment between individual, business unit and corporate practices and serve as a credible activist, operational executor, business ally
• Promote positive employee relations and communication by counseling employees and proactively facilitating conflict resolution between employees; escalate issues as appropriate
• Coach employees and manager on career development, goal setting, performance improvement and people management
• Partner with PIC team on talent assessment, organizational design and learning and development initiatives
• Identify and recommend developmental, and culture enriching, initiatives in partnership with the Learning team
• Work in close partnership with the PIC COEs to ensure consistent PIC practices, approaches, roll-out of new initiatives
• Represent Universal Music Group and the PIC function in a positive light by gaining and maintaining knowledge of industry trends and general business knowledge/acumen

Bring your VIBE:

• Understanding of, and experience with, core aspects of Human Resource Management (staffing; employee relations; labor relations; performance management; leadership development; training; organizational planning; change management)
• Ability to think strategically and translate concepts into actionable items
• Experience using AI tools to design, structure, and iterate on organizational frameworks — change management models, competency frameworks, RACI/governance structures, and phased rollout plans — rather than building them from scratch manually
• Comfort using generative AI tools for drafting policies, communications, job descriptions, and modeling out frameworks like KPI dashboards, RACI matrices, and phased implementation roadmaps
• Previous talent management and succession planning experience
• Proven ability to influence decision making at the senior management level
• Courage to make tough decisions and deliver difficult messages with professionalism and poise
• Must possess consultative style and approach with proven ability to develop credible relationships
• Comfortable working in ambiguous business situations
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills
• Exercise a high degree of professionalism and diplomacy in interactions with all levels of the organization
• Strong experience and demonstrated skills in handling a variety of employee relations matters
• Excellent follow through skills and the ability to anticipate and address business needs proactively
• Possess strong work ethic; self-motivated with a desire to take initiative and look for ways to improve processes and create efficiencies
• Excellent time management and organizational skills in managing through multiple priorities with overlapping tasks across multiple businesses
• Highly adaptable to a fast-paced, fluid work environment in constant evolution
• Ability to lead and manage people effectively
• Team-oriented attitude balanced with ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Sense of urgency – motivated/energetic/enthusiastic – dedicated and loyal
• Maintains strict confidentiality and adheres to high standard of professional conduct
• Minimum 10 years of prior Business Partner experience
• Experience practicing HR in a creative industry (music, fashion, television, advertising, etc.) is a plus
• HRIS experience, SAP and Workday a plus
• Strong knowledge in employment laws; multi-state experience
• Proficient in MS Office (word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint). Visio and/or Org Plus experience a plus
• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in a relevant field with HR related coursework

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

Job Category:

People, Inclusion & Culture

Salary Range:

$133,350 - $200,000

The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include, as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.  All candidates are encouraged to apply.