Music Librarian

JOB DETAILS

JOB BAND: B

CONTRACT TYPE:
Permanent, Full-time

DEPARTMENT:
Library & Curatorial Services – Radio and Music

LOCATION:

London – Broadcast Centre – on site working required with flexible hybrid arrangements.

PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £28,000 - £32,000 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

London weighting will apply.

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.

The Music Librarian is responsible for sourcing and preparing printed and digital sheet music for performance and production use by the BBC’s Performing Groups and other production areas directly supporting output. Working in the Archives Music Library team, you will develop and maintain the BBC’s central collection of sheet music holdings, manage the hire of music and associated payments, and acquire new materials for the collection upon request.

You will maintain the central catalogue, digitise existing assets as required / permitted and update the catalogue with associated data. You will also help identify value within the collection and directly contribute to BBC Archives’ purpose by ensuring the BBC’s unique collection of performance materials are accessible for use, providing audience and business value both now, and into the future.

This role offers a fantastic opportunity for a music enthusiast to apply their passion to the BBC’s relied upon music library services. Music Librarians are responsible for the full range of tasks required for the management of the collection and provision of printed sheet music and work in close collaboration with counterparts in the BBC’s Performing Groups, and music production areas.

Working closely with production management, the Proms team and CRBA (Commercial Rights and Business Affairs), Music Librarians provide a complete end-to-end service from receiving a request, researching and sourcing music from the best source, liaising with arrangers, composers and publishers, printing and preparing scores and processing payments, ensuring everything is completed to deadlines.

• Source and manage music materials from BBC stock or external suppliers to meet production needs, ensuring high standards of musical broadcasting.
• Collaborate with production teams, performing groups, publishers, arrangers, and composers to deliver accurate and timely music library services.
• Maintain catalogues and databases to agreed standards, acting as the gatekeeper for music records and ensuring compliance with copyright regulations.
• Handle financial processes including payments for hire, purchase, overdue charges, and service billing to productions.
• Provide expert knowledge of music materials such as scores, parts, extracts, and booklets, supporting all aspects of production requirements.

• Degree in Music or equivalent experience in a music library or orchestral setting, with strong music reading skills.
• Broad knowledge of musical genres and works, plus intermediate proficiency in Sibelius (v6+).
• Understanding of UK copyright law and ability to make informed decisions on music material usage.
• Excellent organisational skills to maintain accurate records, prioritise workload, and ensure payments are processed in a timely manner.
• Collaborative approach, working effectively with production teams and library colleagues.

• Experience of digital reprographics and use of bindery equipment to produce music materials to a high standard.
• Awareness of finance systems and processes for invoicing, credit card payments and international shipping of materials to and from the UK.
• Experience of working in, or using, music libraries.
• Experience of using sheet music apps and sheet music in a digital context.
• Ability to arrange / typeset music.

If you can bring some of these skills and experience, along with transferable strengths, we’d love to hear from…