Director, People Business Partner

Universal Music•Santa Monica, CA

About The Position

Universal Music Group (UMG) is seeking a Director, People Business Partner to manage the human resources (People Inclusion and Culture aka “PIC”) function for several business units. This role 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.

Requirements

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
Strong knowledge in employment laws; multi-state experience
Proficient in MS Office (word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint)

Nice To Haves

Experience practicing HR in a creative industry (music, fashion, television, advertising, etc.) is a plus
HRIS experience, SAP and Workday a plus
Visio and/or Org Plus experience a plus

Responsibilities

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

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
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
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