Assistant Manager, Contract Administration

The Role

We are looking for an Assistant Manager to join Kobalt’s Contract Administration team in Nashville. The team plays a critical role in interpreting, onboarding, and administering client agreements, ensuring contractual terms are accurately reflected across Kobalt’s systems and downstream operations.

This is a hands-on role suited to a proactive and detail-driven administrator with strong communication skills and a solid understanding of music publishing agreements. You’ll be responsible for the accurate ingestion of contractual terms and copyrights, while also supporting the wider team through guidance, documentation, and process improvement. Accuracy, consistency, and sound judgement are essential, as the work directly impacts client reporting, royalty processing, and claims made on behalf of our writers and publishers.

What You’ll Do

• Interpret and onboard key commercial and contractual terms from long-form publishing agreements into Kobalt’s internal systems.
• Ingest copyrights as part of new client signings and ongoing song deliveries, ensuring data accuracy and completeness.
• Track and manage conditional terms and amendments across existing publishing agreements, maintaining clear audit trails.
• Support wider administration and operational teams by advising on the interpretation and implementation of contractual terms.
• Make system updates as required following amendments or contractual changes.
• Work closely with Business Affairs to assess the operational feasibility of proposed contractual terms for new and existing clients.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives aimed at improving, standardizing, and streamlining contract administration processes.
• Support and guide more junior team members, providing clarity on day-to-day workflows and best practices.
• Own end-to-end documentation for key departmental workflows and support training to ensure consistency across the team.

What You’ll Bring

Preferred:

• Proven experience reading and interpreting music publishing contracts.
• A strong understanding of the global music publishing landscape, including experience working with PROs and CMOs.
• At least three years’ experience within music publishing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt messaging for different audiences.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Confidence working with office software and GSuite tools.

Additional Skills That Could Add Value:

• Experience in royalty administration or accounting.
• Familiarity with database query tools such as Athena or SQL Developer.
• Prior experience supporting or managing junior team members.

What Success Looks Like

By Month 3: You’ll have a strong understanding of Kobalt’s contract administration workflows and systems, independently onboarding standard agreements and copyrights.
By Month 6: You’ll confidently manage more complex agreements and amendments, supporting cross-functional teams with accurate contract interpretation.
By Year 1: You’ll be contributing to process improvements, supporting team development, and acting as a trusted point of reference for contract-related queries.

Key Behaviors for Success

• Attention to Detail: Applies careful, considered judgement when interpreting contracts, ensuring accuracy and consistency across systems.
• Ownership & Accountability: Takes responsibility for work end-to-end, following issues through to resolution and escalating thoughtfully when needed.
• Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing: Works closely with Business Affairs, Operations, and junior team members to ensure shared understanding and consistent execution.

Interview Process

• Introductory call with a member of our Recruitment Team
• Take home activity 
• Interview with the hiring manager
• Final interview with team

We aim to complete the process within three working weeks. If timelines shift, our Recruitment Team will keep you informed throughout.

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 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!