Job Description

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Orchestra Manager, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

Job Requisition ID: 24828
Job Closing Date: 16 July 2025
JOB DETAILS
JOB BAND: D
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent, Full-time
DEPARTMENT: BBC Philharmonic
LOCATION: Philharmonic Studio, MediaCityUK, Salford
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: 47,000 - 51,450 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.
We're happy to discuss flexible working. If you'd like to, please indicate your preference in the application - though there's no obligation to do so now. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, celebrated for its dynamic performances and rich history, is looking to hire a new Orchestra Manager. This senior leadership role is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the orchestra and the pastoral care of the 87 salaried musicians that make up the orchestra.
Working closely with the Director and Head of Artistic Planning & Production at MediaCityUK, the Orchestra Manager helps shape a respectful, collaborative culture and ensures smooth delivery of the orchestra's busy schedule. The role involves close coordination with internal committees, the Musicians' Union, and BBC teams, as well as overseeing HR systems, recruitment, and leading the Orchestra Management team across rehearsals, concerts, and recordings in the UK and abroad.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM
We are looking for an ambitious, highly motivated, and enthusiastic candidate to take on this role. Applicants should have significant management, HR, and project management experience. Due to the nature of the role, the Orchestra Manager is required to travel internationally and to work on evenings and weekends as dictated by the orchestra's performance schedule.
To download a copy of the job pack which includes the full job description, follow the link
For any further information or to discuss the role further, please contact Adam Szabo, Orchestra Director at
YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:

• Manage the day-to-day operation of the orchestra.
• Earn trust, establish close working relationships, and communicate regularly and effectively with the musicians of the orchestra.
• Ensure that the Orchestra works within the rules and regulations governing the employment of orchestral musicians as agreed with the Musicians' Union and the BBC.
• Be the immediate line manager of members of the orchestra, resolving all personnel matters.
• Work closely with the orchestra's MU Representatives and Health and Safety Committee on all appropriate matters, including the interpretation of Union agreements.
• Oversee the completion of risk assessments for all orchestra activity with particular attention to Noise in the Workplace regulations.
• Regularly monitor orchestral and production costs against budget, working alongside the Director and Business Accountant as part of the annual budgeting process.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Substantial experience working with classical musicians.
• Substantial experience managing musical events.
• Substantial management experience, especially the ability to resolve difficult interpersonal situations amicably, with tact, sensitivity, and diplomacy.
• Personable manner with the ability to build warm relationships with colleagues, partners and creative collaborators.
• A clear understanding of budgets, and the ability to monitor and maintain departmental budgets.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion principles.
• Excellent planning and project management skills.

DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED:

• A robust knowledge of the standard orchestral repertoire.
• Experience resolving complex HR matters.
• Experience managing risk and safety, especially as relating to Noise and Work in the live music sector.

If you can bring some of these skills and experience, along with transferable strengths, we'd love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.
CP25
Disclaimer
This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.
Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.
For any general queries, please contact:
Redeployment
The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC and they will be given priority consideration ahead of other applicants. Priority consideration means for those employees seeking redeployment their application will be considered alongside anyone else at risk of redundancy, prior to any individuals being considered who are not at risk.
Information at a Glance
This is your BBC
At the BBC you can create and innovate in an inclusive environment while contributing to some of the world's best loved content, and the BBC's mission to inform, educate and entertain.
Life at BBC
Here you will benefit from:

• Fair pay and flexible benefits including a competitive salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care and gym.
• Excellent career and professional development.
• Support in your working life, including flexible working which you can discuss with us at any point during the application, selection or offer.
• A values-based organisation where the way we do things is important as what we do.

Benefits may vary if you are joining on an FTC basis.
Learn more about life at the BBC and our values in our candidate pack.
You belong
We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, so all our employees feel that they can belong, thrive and achieve their full potential.
We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to join us. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.
We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.
Find out more about diversity, inclusion and belonging in our strategy below.
Disability confident
We are a disability confident employer. If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the interview process, or to carry out this role, please contact us via email and we'd be happy to discuss:
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BBC Group and Public Services, Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London, United Kingdom, W1A 1AA. BBC Studios Distribution Limited, company no: 01420028, registered address: 1 Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, London, United Kingdom W12 7FA.
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