Universal Music Group

Director, People, Inclusion & Culture

Universal Music Group$120K — $130K *
Business Services
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of progressive HR Business Partner experience.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of core HR disciplines including change management and workforce planning.
  • Experience in creative industries like music or media is beneficial.
  • Proven skills in leading change management initiatives.
  • Familiarity with AI tools for organizational improvements.

Responsibilities

  • Build collaborative relationships to enhance service delivery and implement new initiatives.
  • Coach leaders on performance, employee management, and career development.
  • Conduct organizational assessments to identify PIC service needs.
  • Manage onboarding/offboarding processes and exit interviews.
  • Support the design and rollout of talent and development programs.
  • Ensure compliance and operational excellence in HR functions.
  • Utilize AI responsibly to enhance decision-making and productivity.

Benefits

  • Wellness program and health & dental benefits.
  • Pension plan with company matching.
  • 2-week paid winter break.
  • Summer Fridays for improved work-life balance.
  • Access to an employee ticket box for events.
Full Job Description
Director, People, Inclusion & Culture

The UMC team works four days a week from our award-winning creative campus located in Liberty Village, Toronto, and one day to work virtually.

We are looking for a Director, People, Inclusion & Culture ("PIC") who is a passionate HR Generalist and a key partner to the Leadership Team in driving the business as it relates to our people and organizational strategy. The Director is also responsible for managing the day-to-day PIC activities including advising and coaching on policies and procedures, staffing, compensation, employee relations, culture and development, as well as organizational and change management.

How You'll Lead:
  • Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with the team to deliver value-added services, ensure consistent practices, and successfully implement new initiatives.
  • Influence and coach leaders, managers, and employees on people-related decisions, career development, goal setting, performance improvement, and effective people management.
  • Proactively assess PIC service needs and develop strategies to address them.
  • Address employee relations matters in partnership with PIC leadership.
  • Manage a process-driven workload and transactional PIC responsibilities.
  • Facilitate and support employee onboarding and offboarding, including conducting exit interviews.
  • Partner with the PIC team on talent assessment, organizational design, learning and development, and culture-enhancing initiatives.
  • Support Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, employee wellbeing, and initiatives that foster a high-performing, engaged, and positive employee experience.
  • Support the rollout of PIC and company-wide programs and initiatives.
  • Manage department administration, processes, records, and employee files while ensuring operational excellence and compliance.
  • Represent Universal Music Canada and the PIC function by maintaining current knowledge of industry trends, legislation, best practices, and business developments.
  • Serve as a member of the Joint Health & Safety Committee.
  • Identify opportunities for process improvement and automation across PIC and Payroll.
  • Effectively and responsibly use approved AI technologies to enhance productivity, improve decision-making, and support business objectives while adhering to governance, privacy, and confidentiality requirements.
  • Oversee the payroll function.
  • Conduct research, data analysis, and implementation of programs, reports, and projects as assigned.
  • Duties, projects and responsibilities may be amended from time to time in order to support efficient company operations


What You Bring:

Experience
  • 10+ years of progressive Human Resources Business Partner experience.
  • Comprehensive experience across core Human Resources disciplines, including talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, organizational design, leadership development, change management, workforce planning, and talent management/succession planning.
  • Experience practicing HR within a creative industry (music, media, fashion, advertising, etc.) is an asset.
  • Experience leading change management and process improvement initiatives.
  • Experience using AI tools to design, structure, and improve organizational frameworks (e.g., competency models, change management frameworks).

Leadership & Business Partnership
  • Strategic thinker with the ability to translate business objectives into actionable people strategies.
  • Consultative and influential leader with a proven ability to build trusted relationships and influence decision-making at all organizational levels.
  • Demonstrated leadership capability, including coaching leaders, managing people, and navigating difficult conversations with professionalism.
  • Passion for cultivating high-performing teams and a culture of excellence in service delivery.

Skills & Competencies
  • Strong analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving, and project management skills.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with diplomacy, honesty, and approachability.
  • Exceptional organizational, planning, and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Demonstrated initiative with a continuous improvement mindset and the ability to identify efficiencies and improve processes.
  • Highly adaptable, entrepreneurial, and comfortable working in a dynamic, evolving environment.
  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams.
  • High level of professionalism, discretion, integrity, and confidentiality.
  • Positive, energetic, resilient, and action-oriented with a growth mindset.

Knowledge & Technical Skills
  • Strong knowledge of Canadian employment legislation, including multi-provincial Employment Standards, Human Rights legislation, and Occupational Health & Safety requirements.
  • Experience with Workday, Lattice, and ADP Workforce Now is an asset.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint); Visio and Adobe are assets.

Education & Certifications
  • Degree in Human Resources or an equivalent post-secondary diploma/certificate.
  • CHRP designation and Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) certification are assets.


What We Offer:
  • Competitive Compensation Package includes, Wellness Program, Health & Dental Benefits, Pension Plan, Savings Plan with company matching
  • 2-week paid Winter Break
  • Summer Fridays
  • Employee Ticket Box


This job description provides a general overview of responsibilities and is subject to change.

Job Category:
People, Inclusion & Culture

Salary Range:
$120,000 - $130,000

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.

About Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group (UMG) is a global music corporation that is a subsidiary of the French media conglomerate Vivendi. The company was founded in 1934 as Decca Records and has since grown to become the largest music company in the world, with a market share of over 30%. UMG owns and operates a wide range of record labels, including Capitol Records, Def Jam Recordings, and Island Records, and has a roster of over 4,000 artists. In addition to music production and distribution, UMG also operates several other businesses, including music publishing, merchandising, and film and television production.
Learn more about Universal Music Group
Size
7,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1934

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