Manager, People (maternity cover)

Kobalt Music; London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Kobalt Music is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner for a temporary maternity cover role in London. This position involves partnering with leaders, managing the employee lifecycle, and leading HR initiatives in a fast-paced, creative environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong HR background in dynamic industries and be data-savvy, ready to make a significant impact in the music industry.

Benefits

Daily Breakfast, Fruit, Snacks and Refreshments

Quarterly Music Showcases

Leadership Lunches

Recharge Days

Summer Fridays

Wellness Programs

Private Medical Insurance

Gym Memberships

Cycle to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• Experienced HR generalist in fast-paced industries like tech or music.
• Confident with senior stakeholders and complex HR challenges.
• Strong communicator and problem-solver.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted partner to functional leaders.
• Own the employee lifecycle from onboarding to offboarding.
• Lead and deliver end-to-end HR projects.

Skills

Data fluency

Performance management

Employee relations

Communication

Education

CIPD qualification or equivalent

Job description

Are you passionate about people and thrive in fast-paced and creative environments where no two days are the same?

Kobalt Music is looking for an experienced and people-first-oriented HR Business Partner to join our London-based team. This is a temporary maternity cover starting at the end of July-early August 2025 for up to 12 months. Whether it’s partnering with leaders or rolling out innovative people initiatives, you’ll have the chance to make a lasting impact across our creative and tech-driven business.

Our global team is collaborative and forward-thinking, and all about building culture and supporting people to thrive. This isn’t your “average HR gig” — it's a chance to help shape the future of work in the music industry - an industry that moves fast and thinks big.

WHAT DOES A HR BUSINESS PARTNER DO AT KOBALT?

• You act as a trusted partner to functional leaders, aligning people strategies with business goals.
• You own the employee lifecycle from onboarding to offboarding, with a strong focus on performance, engagement, and development.
• You lead and deliver end-to-end HR projects, from concept to rollout.
• You play a key role in our DEI and wellbeing strategy — helping us stay inclusive, supportive, and empowering.
• You navigate employee relations issues with sensitivity, fairness, and speed.
• You use data and insights to influence decisions, drive outcomes, and show impact.
• You collaborate on learning, growth, and succession strategies to future-proof our teams.

WHAT SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

• You are a seasoned HR generalist who’s worked across fast-moving industries like tech, music, entertainment, or gaming.
• You are confident with senior stakeholders and complex HR challenges.
• You know your way around performance management, salary reviews, ER cases, job levelling, and more.
• You are data-savvy and commercial — you combine data fluency with commercial insight, turning numbers into clear, strategic actions that drive people outcomes.
• You are a natural communicator who builds trust and influence at all levels as well as a self-starter, problem-solver, and all-around people champion!

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear your story. Submit your application below, and to set the tone, enjoy this specially curated playlist featuring songs by our talented creators. It's designed to inspire you as you take the next step in your journey.

WHY CHOOSE US?

At Kobalt, we are Music First, Transparent, Tech Powered, and Transformative. We are Creatives. Our innovative services and technologies have transformed the music industry into a more fair and more rewarding place for artists. We are trusted by some of the world’s biggest names like Foo Fighters, Phoebe Bridgers, Ozuna, Paul McCartney, Karol G, Young Thug, Kali Uchis, FINNEAS, and Andrew Watt, and represent more than 40% of the top 100 songs and albums in the U.S. and U.K. Kobalt is dedicated to inclusiveness and to providing the resources and benefits needed to grow your career and reach your potential. We offer competitive compensation packages and professional development opportunities, and advocate an entrepreneurial culture that makes working here not only fun, but also rewarding.

BENEFITS

Daily Breakfast, Fruit, Snacks and Refreshments provided.

• Quarterly Music Showcases Our quarterly music showcases feature performances from our artists in an intimate setting, creating meaningful opportunities to connect with the talent we support.
• Leadership Lunches These sessions provide a valuable forum to engage with executive leaders and colleagues, fostering stronger connections and open dialogue across teams.

Work Life Balance

Our hybrid work model ensures close relationships with your team, the perks of office life, and the flexibility to work from home. This role will require a minimum of 3 days in the office.

Recharge Days

Take an extra day off per quarter for self-care in addition to our generous vacation policies and office closure between Christmas and New Year's Day.

Learning Opportunities

We offer a range of tools and support to help you stay on track with your development goals, so you can grow and succeed in your career.

Summer Fridays

Enjoy Friday afternoons off during July and August to recharge and enjoy the summer months.

Learning Opportunities

We offer a range of tools and support to help you stay on track with your development goals, so you can grow and succeed in your career.

Wellness Programs

We provide a subscription to Calm and an employee assistance program (EAP) to support your well-being.

Group Income Protection

Additional protection should you become seriously ill and unable to work.

After 13 continuous weeks of sickness absence.

Life Assurance

UK Life Assurance is a tax-free lump sum payable on death to your beneficiary(ies).
This is 4x your base salary.

UK Pension

You will be auto-enrolled to the Aviva Pensions from your first payroll if eligible.

Employee contribution: 5% of qualifying earnings

Employer contribution: 3% of qualifying earnings

Salary Exchange post probationary period.

Private Medical Insurance

Aviva provides private medical cover. The company pays the premium for individual cover and you pay the tax.

Travel Insurance (business)

If you are travelling for business, please ensure to have a copy of the ‘Policy Schedule’ and ‘Emergency Card’.

Holiday extension post probationary period.

Eyecare Scheme

A free eye test and money towards glasses is available to all Display Screen Equipment (DSE) users.

Gym Memberships

Nuffield Health and Fitness First offer corporate rates and the Company will contribute £45 per month (subject to tax) towards your membership fees.

Cycle to Work Scheme

You can spend £100 - £2,000 on bicycles or accessories with savings being made by reducing tax and NI on the total amount.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United Kingdom. A full DBS check will be conducted on acceptance of the offer. Kobalt is an equal opportunity employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.