Manager, Copyright

Socket.dev; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Kobalt is seeking a Manager, Copyright in Nashville to lead the copyright team, oversee registrations and licensing across North and Latin America, and collaborate on process improvements with cross-functional partners. You will mentor junior staff, ensure data integrity, and engage with societies and internal stakeholders to optimize workflows.

In this role you will coordinate with Royalties & Tracking, Writer & Publisher Relations, Finance, and Technology while monitoring industry trends to

Qualifications

• A 3-5 year track record in music copyright or publishing.
• Experience mentoring junior team members.
• Knowledge of the US Copyright Office and North/Latin America collection societies.
• Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a team of 4-5 direct reports and support their development.
• Manage copyright registration, data management, and society communications across North and Latin America.
• Submit timely copyright registrations to the US Copyright Office.
• Collaborate with the Director on process improvements and society engagement.
• Liaise with Royalties & Tracking, Writer & Publisher Relations, Finance, and Technology teams.
• Monitor industry trends in copyright and licensing to inform practices.
• Ensure data integrity and follow-up with societies and partners.
• Support preparation for industry events, AGMs, and working groups.

Skills

Mentoring

Analytical

Communication

Organizational skills

Collaboration

SQL

Spanish

Rights management knowledge

Tools

Tableau

Zendesk

Monday

Job description

The Role

As a Manager, Copyright, you will support the day-to-day operations of our Copyright function, primarily across North American and Latin American collection societies. Reporting to the Director, Copyright, you will play a key role in ensuring accurate registration and monetization of our publishing catalog. You will also support the U.S. Mechanical Licensing function and contribute to cross-functional initiatives across the business. You have multiple reports, who are assigned the day-to-day requirements of the Copyright Team & U.S. Mechanical Licensing, specifically across North American and Latin American sources.

What You'll Do

• Oversee a team of [4-5] direct reports, guiding their work and supporting their development
• Manage and execute core tasks related to copyright registration, data management, and society communication across North and Latin America, serving as a point of contact for key North American collection societies
• Submit timely copyright registrations to the US Copyright Office
• Collaborate closely with the Director on process improvements, reporting needs, and society engagement strategies
• Liaise with internal teams such as Royalties & Tracking, Writer & Publisher Relations, Finance, and Technology to resolve issues and implement solutions
• Monitor ongoing industry trends and changes in copyright and licensing to help inform internal practices
• Ensure data integrity and follow-up on open tasks with societies and partners
• Support preparation for industry events, AGMs, and working groups, occasionally attending with or on behalf of the Director

What You'll Bring

• 3-5 years of experience in music copyright, publishing, or a related field
• Experience and a passion for managing or mentoring junior team members
• Working knowledge of the US Copyright Office and collection society operations, especially in North and Latin America
• Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to adapt in a fast-paced, detail-driven environment
• Familiarity with rights management systems or licensing platforms is a plus
• Ability to engage with software such as Monday, Tableau, Zendesk and emerging technologies
• Capable of working with team members from different backgrounds across time zones and geographic locations
• SQL experience is a plus
• Professional written fluency in Spanish is a plus

What Success Looks Like

By Month 3:
You will have developed a solid understanding of Kobalt's internal systems, workflows, and copyright registration processes. You will confidently manage daily operations for your team and begin contributing to meetings with societies and internal stakeholders.

By Month 6:
You will lead your team with autonomy, identifying and resolving registration or licensing challenges. You'll have built strong relationships across departments and established a rhythm for delivering timely, accurate data to societies in North and Latin America.

By Year 1:
You will be a key strategic partner in shaping copyright operations, driving efficiency, improving systems, and mentoring your team to achieve excellence. You'll contribute to long-term initiatives that strengthen Kobalt's global rights management and ensure creators are accurately and fairly compensated.

Key Behaviors for Success

1. Leadership & Empowerment
You guide your team with empathy and clarity, balancing accountability with support. You empower others to take ownership and develop their skills while maintaining a high standard of excellence.

2. Collaboration
You foster open communication and productive relationships across departments. You listen actively, align stakeholders, and find creative solutions that advance both team and company objectives.

3. Continuous Improvement
You approach challenges with curiosity and an analytical mindset, identifying opportunities to streamline processes and enhance efficiency. You stay informed on industry shifts and translate them into actionable improvements.

Interview Process

• Introductory call with a member of our Recruitment Team
• Virtual interview with the hiring manager, Director, Copyright
• In-person final interviews at our Nashville office

We aim to complete the process from initial application to offer within three working weeks, though timelines may vary. Our Recruitment Team will keep you updated at every stage.

Why Choose Us

At Kobalt, we've championed creators since 2000. Our technology and music services are built to make the industry more transparent, fair, and rewarding for artists, songwriters, and rights holders. We're proud to work with some of the world's most influential talents including Phoebe Bridgers, Sam Fender, Paul McCartney, Foo Fighters, Karol G, Young Thug, Kali Uchis, and Andrew Watt.

We're a company that thrives on creativity, collaboration, and progress. Our values - Music First, Transparent, Tech Powered, and Transformative - shape how we work, build, and grow together. We are a community of people who care deeply about making a meaningful impact in music and technology.

Kobalt is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in equitable access to opportunities and are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities. If you need any adjustments during the hiring process, please let us know - we're happy to help.