At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop people strategies while fostering a vibrant workplace culture.
- Company: Join Resident Advisor, a leading name in the electronic music scene.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, flexible work options, and wellness initiatives.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusivity and community.
- Why this job: Combine your passion for music with a role that empowers others.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR and a love for electronic music is essential.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 75000 £ per year.
Founded in 2001, Resident Advisor (RA) is one of the world's longest-running music media brands and a cornerstone of the dance, electronic and DJ ecosystem. The site's audience of over 7 million monthly users is drawn in by a combination of news, editorial, club listings and ticketing, RA-branded events at venues and festivals worldwide, original films and a weekly mix series that has run for 20 years.
Purpose of the role
We are seeking a People Lead who is as passionate about electronic music as they are about supporting people and teams to grow, combining traditional HR Generalist duties such as employee relations, talent management, performance support, learning and development, and coaching. The ideal candidate leads with empathy, communicates with care and professionalism at all times, and is trusted by staff at every level to handle sensitive matters with discretion and emotional intelligence. They are in place to ensure the organisation not only functions efficiently from an HR perspective but thrives culturally, enhancing both employee experience and organisational performance. This role will drive RA’s People Experience, build our People strategy, and implement new ways to engage our teams. You will lead the People & Culture team, including the People and Operations Lead and the Recruitment Coordinator, and will work closely with our staff to understand team dynamics, support employee development, and create upskilling initiatives for our globally distributed team. This role blends traditional HR functions with broader strategic initiatives centred on employee engagement, well-being, and organisational culture.
Key responsibilities
- People Strategy and Development
- Developing Talent Strategies: Working with the P&C team to create strategies to attract, retain, and develop talent that aligns with RA’s goals and values.
- Workforce Planning: Ensuring the organisation has the right people in the right roles by planning for recruitment, development, and succession.
- Performance Management: Implementing and overseeing processes for setting employee probation, OKRs, DEI goals, performance reviews, and career development.
- Employee Development and Training: Designing and delivering programs for skill development, leadership training, and continuous learning for all staff.
- Employee Engagement: Measuring and improving employee satisfaction and engagement through initiatives, surveys, and programs that make working at RA more fulfilling.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Leading efforts to foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment by implementing relevant policies and initiatives.
- HR Policy Management: Creating and updating HR policies, ensuring they are aligned with legal standards and company values.
- Compliance and Legal Matters: Ensuring the company adheres to labour laws across all offices, employment regulations, and industry standards. This includes managing/owning employee relations issues and conflict resolution processes.
- Compensation and Benefits: Overseeing compensation structures, benefits programs, and rewards systems to ensure they are competitive and aligned with company goals.
- Leadership Coaching and Support: Acting as a strategic advisor to senior leadership and line managers on matters related to coaching, organisational development, leadership practices, and people management.
- Wellness Programs: Work with the P&C team to develop programs that promote employee health, work-life balance, and mental well-being.
- Work Environment: Fostering a safe, positive, and productive work environment, whether it’s in-office or remote.
- Employee Communication: Facilitating transparent communication across the organisation to ensure alignment with company objectives, updates, and cultural values.
- Listening to Employee Feedback: Collect and respond to employee feedback through channels such as surveys, one-on-one conversations, and informal group discussions.
- Promoting Company Culture Externally: Partnering with the Community team and external relations to build and communicate the company's culture and values to potential candidates and the broader community.
Demonstrates high emotional intelligence, with an approachable, empathetic, and professional communication style, including in difficult or sensitive situations. Builds trust and credibility across the organisation, acting as a safe, neutral, and reliable point of contact for employee concerns. Excellent communicator with strong relationship-building skills and the ability to coach and influence senior stakeholders. Proven experience managing People/HR risk, including employee relations, compliance, policy development, data privacy, health & safety, and organisational change. Experienced in leading and developing teams, including performance management, coaching, delegation, and prioritisation. Comfortable working across cultures, regions, and time zones within a global organisation. Strong understanding of RA and the electronic music community and culture. Holds CIPD Level 5 or above (Level 7 desirable), or equivalent professional qualification, experience, or degree-level education.
What we offer you
- Generous annual leave policies aimed at promoting work-life balance.
- Flexibility in working arrangements, offering hybrid or remote work options based on role requirements and location.
- Matching pension schemes and/or 401k.
- Comprehensive staff wellbeing initiatives, featuring regular activities and workplace programmes to support mental and physical health.
- Company-led social events, team lunches, and discounts on RA merch.
- Paid annual volunteering allowance, encouraging contributions to community projects and charities you care about.
- Regular company-wide Q&A’s with senior leadership, along with ongoing virtual educational training sessions for all staff.
As an independent company run by devoted dance music enthusiasts, our mission is to bring together the world’s electronic music communities. Our Global Contributor Network (GCN) and international teams help us establish connections with hyper-niche local scenes. We became B-Corp certified in 2024, which counts us among businesses leading a global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy and part of a community that meets high social and environmental impact standards. We especially welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, experiences, gender identities, and sexual orientations. We aim for our team to reflect the communities we engage with. We ensure everyone is valued and respected by actively promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace.
Our values
- Electronic music is art. We celebrate the progressive values that underpin electronic music.
- We advocate for a more inclusive and equitable electronic music community.
- We honour the past, present and future of electronic music.
- We use innovation to empower the community.
- We choose honesty over gain and purpose over profit.
- We’re always front left.
This role is a full-time, permanent position based at our London office. This position requires applicants to be based in London and to work from the office three days per week. The annual salary range for this role is £55,000 to £75,000. If you have questions about the role, please contact work@ra.co. This listing will be open for a minimum of two weeks from the 7th May 2026.
People Lead employer: Resident Advisor
Contact Detail:
Resident Advisor Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land People Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the electronic music scene. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for electronic music! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm shine through. Share your favourite artists, festivals, or experiences that relate to the role. It’ll make you memorable!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture. Understand RA’s values and how they align with your own. Think of examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your fit for the People Lead role and how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the RA family. Keep an eye on our careers page for the latest opportunities!
We think you need these skills to ace People Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your love for electronic music shine through! We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission at Resident Advisor.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the People Lead role. Highlight your HR experience and any relevant skills that match the job description. We love seeing how you can contribute to our team!
Be Authentic: Don’t be afraid to show your personality in your application. We value authenticity and want to get a sense of who you are beyond just your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of getting noticed, apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Resident Advisor
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Resident Advisor's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their work in the electronic music scene and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your skills to their needs.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
As a People Lead, empathy is key. Prepare examples of how you've supported teams in the past, especially in challenging situations. Highlight your ability to communicate with care and professionalism, as this will resonate well with their focus on employee experience.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and emotional intelligence. Think of scenarios where you've had to manage conflict or implement change. Practising these responses will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
✨Engage with Their Culture
Demonstrate your understanding of RA's culture by discussing how you would enhance employee engagement and well-being. Bring ideas for initiatives that could foster a positive work environment, showing that you're not just a fit for the role but also for their unique culture.