Head of Artistic Planning & Production, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

Head of Artistic Planning & Production, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

Job description

Package Description

Job Reference : 18393

Band : D

Salary : £48,633 £66,300 (pro rata) depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

Contract type : 1 x Continuing (Permanent)

Location : Office Base is Philharmonic Studio, MediaCityUK, Salford

We’re happy to discuss flexible working. Please indicate your choice under the flexible working question in the application.

There is no obligation to raise this at the application stage but if you wish to do so, you are welcome to. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.







- Excellent career progression the BBC offers great opportunities for employees to seek new challenges and work in different areas of the organisation.
- Unrivalled training and development opportunities our in-house Academy hosts a wide range of internal and external courses and certification.
- Benefits - We offer a negotiable salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance and 25 days annual leave with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care and gym.

You can find out more about working at the BBC by selecting this link to our .

If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the interview process please contact the k. For any general queries, please contact : k.

Freelancers are eligible to apply for an internal role if they are on a Worker Contract and they have worked continuously for 6 months.

If they have worked for less than 6 months continuously or have a break of 3 weeks or more between engagements,





they must seek Divisional HR approval to apply for an internal role prior to submitting an application.

If they are unsure which contract they are on, they can speak to their booker or the HR BP, however if it helps - both a PAYE freelance or Modus Gross contract is considered a Worker contract and covered by the Worker terms found .

NB : The Career Path Framework Job title for this role is : Band D / Producer

Job Introduction

The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, celebrated for its dynamic performances and rich history spanning over a century, is looking to hire a visionary new Head of Artistic Planning & Production.

This is a senior role within the Philharmonic’s leadership team, with responsibility for the planning and delivery of all concert, touring, and broadcast activity.







The successful applicant will continue to grow the outstanding artistic reputation and international reach of this world-class orchestra, shaping a musical programme that attracts a diverse and enthusiastic live and broadcast audience.

A deep knowledge of classical artists and orchestral repertoire is essential; however, the successful applicant will ally this core classical experience with a flair for innovation and creative programming, an eye for commercial opportunities, and an ambition to grow the artistic scope of the orchestra’s work.

Based at the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra’s offices at MediaCityUK, the Head of Artistic Planning & Production will work closely with the Director to realise the orchestra’s artistic vision.

Key stakeholders include BBC commissioners,





editors, and producers, especially at Radio 3, the BBC Proms, and 6 Music; partner organisations including Factory International and the Royal Northern College of Music;

and a diverse range of high-profile guest artists who feature in the orchestra’s performance programme.

We are looking for an ambitious, highly motivated, and enthusiastic candidate to take on this role. Applicants should have significant management, artistic planning, and project management experience.

Due to the nature of the role, they will be required to travel internationally and to work on evenings and weekends as dictated by the orchestra’s performance schedule.

Reports to : Director

Works with : Senior Producer (Audio), Head of Technical Production,





Assistant Producer, Orchestral Manager, Head of Learning, Head of Marketing

To download a copy of this job pack

For any further information or to discuss the role further, please contact Adam Szabo, Orchestra Director at

Main Responsibilities

Artistic Planning

- Programme a courageous and spectacular season of public concerts for the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, including performances at The Bridgewater Hall, the Warehouse and Hall venues at Aviva Studios, the concert hall of the Royal Northern College of Music, the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms, and our own Philharmonic Studio at MediaCityUK alongside a broad range of outstanding venues across the UK.






- Build new and develop existing partnerships with conductors and guest artists at the very highest level of the classical sector.
- Take intelligent risks, investing in key artistic relationships with the musical stars of the future.
- Develop commercial opportunities for the orchestra; maximising potential revenue from key assets (Philharmonic Studio), and securing profitable recording sessions, tours, and collaborations.
- Maintain strong relationships with the Chief Conductor (John Storgårds) and Principal Guest Conductor (Anja Bihlmaier), shaping and consulting on concert programmes so they effectively support the orchestra’s artistic vision.
- Shape an artistic programme that will appeal to culturally curious audiences alongside classical afficionados. Our work should be at the centre of cultural life in the UK.






- Work closely with the Director and the Head of Marketing to ensure that the artistic programme supports the orchestra’s broadcast, marketing, and brand strategy.

Touring

- Develop relationships with festivals and promoters, both within the UK and internationally, growing the number and value of the orchestra’s engagements.
- Working alongside the Director, secure and develop a regular programme of international touring dates for the orchestra, ensuring that fees and budgets are appropriately negotiated and managed.

Production

- Manage relationships with key editors and producers across BBC networks (radio and television), ensuring that the orchestra delivers its public service remit.
- Oversee resourcing for all technical staff working on broadcast projects.






- Oversee the recruitment, development, and management of presenters working on broadcast projects with the Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Work closely with the Senior Producer (Audio) and Head of Technical Production to ensure that recording and broadcast projects are delivered at a world class standard and in a timely manner.

Management & Leadership

- Earn trust, establish close working relationships, and communicate regularly and effectively with the musicians of the orchestra.
- Inspire and lead the Planning, Learning & Production department, ensuring that an ambitious and high-quality programme across all three areas is maintained and developed.
- Work with the Player Committee, MU Representative, and MU Health and Safety Representatives, seeking advice and consulting as appropriate.
- Oversee the engagement of all guest artists, including all negotiated fees, programmes, rehearsals, and logistics.
- Maintain the project budgets of the orchestra, working alongside the Director and Business Accountant as part of the annual budgeting process and regular reporting.
- Line-manage the Senior Producer (Audio), Head of Technical Production and Assistant Producer.
- Complete effective bi-annual MyConversation review processes with direct reports.
- Understand the BBC’s Mission to inform, educate and entertain.
- Live the BBC Values, and contribute to making the BBC a fantastic place to work.
- Follow the BBC’s policies on diversity and inclusion when hiring and managing others, and encourage diversity of thinking across the team.
- Attend concerts and special events as required.
- Represent the Philharmonic and the Planning, Learning & Production teams at internal and external meetings and events as required.

Are you the right candidate?

Essentials (must have)

- A deep knowledge of classical artists and orchestral repertoire, allied with strong personal relationships with artists, managers, promoters, festivals, and venues across the UK and internationally.
- Management experience.
- Flair for innovation, and an eye for commercial opportunities.
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion principles.
- Personable manner with the ability to build warm relationships with colleagues, partners and creative collaborators.
- Excellent planning and project management skills.

Desirables (nice to have)

- Experience working with opera and staged work.
- A keen sense of (and good relationships with) non-classical artists who could prove to be compelling collaborators with the orchestra.
- Understanding of the BBC and its current position in a rapidly transforming cultural sector.

What we value (we are looking for this type of person)

Impact

- You accomplish amazing amounts of important work
- You minimise complexity and find time to simplify
- You focus on great results, rather than process

Communication

- When you communicate, you are concise, articulate, compassionate and jargon-free
- You are honest, candid and direct

Judgement

- You think strategically and can articulate what you are trying to do
- You prioritise effectively, separating what must be done well now and what can be improved later
- You act in the BBC’s best interest

Passion

- You inspire others with your thirst for excellence
- You genuinely care about the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra’s success

Courage

- You keep us accountable to BBC values
- You take smart risks
- You say what you think, even when controversial

Innovation

- You create new ideas that prove useful
- You pursue best practice, not common practice

Selflessness

- You make time to help colleagues
- You are egoless when searching for the best ideas

How to Apply :

Applicants who wish to apply should upload the following documents along with their application :

1. Cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) addressing the following areas :

- What excites you about this opportunity and working with the BBC Philharmonic?
- Why do you think you are the right person for this role?
- What knowledge and experience will you bring to the team?

2. CV (no longer than 2 pages)

- Including full name, contact details (phone and email) and location at the top
- An outline of previous roles you’ve held, relevant skills and experience

About the BBC

The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC for different reasons 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.

We don’t focus simply on what we do we also care how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are important to us. Please make sure you’ve read about our values and behaviours .

Diversity matters at the BBC. We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, enabling all of our employees to thrive and achieve their full potential.

We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to be part of the BBC whether that’s to contribute to our programming or our wide range of non-production roles.

The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and / or belief.

We will consider flexible working requests for all roles, unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.

▶️ Head of Artistic Planning & Production, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
🖊️ BBC
📍 Great Britain