Senior Director, Writer & Publisher Relations

The Role: Senior Director, Writer & Publisher Relations

The Senior Director, Writer & Publisher Relations (WPR) is a senior leadership role within Kobalt’s Los Angeles office, responsible for overseeing client service, team leadership, and operational excellence across priority writer and publisher accounts.

Acting as both functional lead and office lead for the LA-based WPR team, this role ensures best-in-class client experience, strong internal collaboration, and efficient delivery across registrations, royalties, and statements. You will be a key escalation point for client matters and a trusted partner to Creative, Operations, and senior stakeholders across the business.

What You’ll Do

• Act as people manager and functional lead for the Writer & Publisher Relations team in Los Angeles.
• Serve as the primary administrative and operational point of contact for priority Kobalt clients signed out of the LA office.
• Support and guide the LA WPR team in delivering high-quality day-to-day client service.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships between Kobalt and its publishing clients.
• Provide expert guidance to internal teams on catalog registrations, royalties, statements, and client account administration.
• Respond to and coordinate internal and external queries related to client accounts and operational processes.
• Partner closely with Kobalt's Creative team in Los Angeles, sharing performance insights and ensuring seamless client administration.
• Maintain a deep understanding of Kobalt's systems, processes, and end-to-end business operations.
• Participate in discussions related to the general management and operations of the Los Angeles office.
• Act as a primary escalation point for client satisfaction issues, ensuring consistently exceptional service.
• Work closely with global operational teams to drive velocity to revenue collection for Kobalt’s clients.

What You’ll Bring

Preferred:

• Experience in a client-facing or account management role within the music industry.
• Expert end-to-end understanding of music publishing, including contractual terminology, copyright chain of title, licensing, and royalty flows.
• A strong network within the Los Angeles music publishing community.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trusted, long-term relationships.
• Highly detail-oriented, organised, and analytical, with strong numerical skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage changing priorities, and remain composed in high-pressure environments.
• A collaborative, adaptable mindset suited to a fast-paced and evolving organisation.
• Proven discretion and sensitivity when handling confidential information.

Additional Skills That Could Add Value:

• Experience using CRM tools such as Zendesk.
• Previous people-management or team-lead experience.
• Experience working closely with creative or A&R teams.

What Success Looks Like

By Month 1:
You’ll have a strong grasp of Kobalt’s clients, systems, and workflows, and will be confidently supporting the team and handling escalations.

By Month 3:
You’ll be a trusted lead for priority clients, driving consistent service standards and strengthening internal collaboration.

By Year 6:
You’ll be setting the benchmark for client service in LA, developing your team, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening Kobalt’s reputation with writers and publishers.

Key Behaviours for Success

Client-First Leadership:
Champions exceptional service, anticipates client needs, and takes ownership of outcomes.

Operational Excellence:
Brings rigour, attention to detail, and continuous improvement to complex workflows.

Collaborative Influence:
Builds strong relationships across teams and uses influence to move work forward effectively.

Interview Process

• Introductory call with a member of our Recruitment Team
• Interview with Hiring Manager
• Interviews with Kobalt Leadership
• Feedback at each stage

We aim to complete the full interview process from initial application to offer within three working weeks. While we do our best to meet this timeline, there may be occasional delays. If that happens, our Recruitment Team will keep you updated every step of the way.

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, FINNEAS, and Andrew Watt as well as acclaimed writers like Simon Aldred (Rag’n’Bone Man, Liam Gallagher, Celeste) and Clarence Coffee Jr. (Dua Lipa, Lizzo, The Snuts).

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.

If this sounds like you, then please share your story by filling out the application below. To get you in the right mood, have a listen here to songs by our talented creators, especially curated to get you in the right mood when looking for the next challenge! 

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States. A full background check on acceptance of 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.

LA Pay Transparency Law: The range provided is for Los Angeles-based hires only and will be commensurate with candidate experience. Pay ranges for candidates in other locations other than Los Angeles may differ based on the cost of labor in that location. Pay range: $125,000 - $135,000