Orchestra Personnel Manager, BBC

PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £30,000 - £40,000 (plus London Weighing of £5,441) depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

First round interviews will be on Monday 16th February 2026, at Broadcasting House, London.

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 Career Path Framework job title for this role is Business Coordinator)

To assist the Orchestra Manager in the day to day running of the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Due to the nature of the role, the Orchestra Personnel Manager is required to travel across the UK and to work evenings and weekends as dictated by the Orchestra’s performance schedule.

The mission of the BBC Concert Orchestra is to bring inspiring musical to everyone, everywhere, with the ensemble’s versatility as the key.

The Orchestra explores a wide selection of classical and contemporary music and is broadcast weekly on BBC Radio 3’s Friday Night Is Music Night. It appears regularly at the BBC Proms, at London’s Southbank Centre and in Alexandra Palace Theatre, where it is an Associate Orchestra. It has a partnership with the University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University and Nottingham Royal Concert Hall.

The BBC CO has close relationships with its Chief Conductor Anna‑Maria Helsing, Principal Guest Conductor and Curator Edwin Outwater, Associate Conductor Jérôme Kuhn and Conductor Laureate Barry Wordsworth.

Soundtrack recordings include Blue Planet and Call the Midwife for BBC One and Isobel Waller‑Bridge's score The for Charlie Mackesy’s Oscar‑winning film The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse as well as new music for BBC Sounds’ Music & Meditation podcast.

Its performances for BBC have featured collaborations with pop artists, including Olivia Dean, Robbie Williams and Paul Weller.

The BBC CO offers enjoyable and innovative education and community activities, and is involved in BBC Ten Pieces, the BBC Young Composer competition and the BBC Open Music programme.

• Assist the Orchestra Manager with all aspects of personnel management, including booking freelance musicians for all work, and providing freelancers in case of leave and sickness at short notice.
• Be responsible for running rehearsals, studio and commercial recording sessions and concerts when required, including resolving on‑the‑spot difficulties.
• Organise and run auditions when required and liaise on all matters with the Orchestra Manager and relevant Principal players. Book all trials, set up and attend panel meetings throughout the trial process.
• Communicate with the Concerts & Planning team, Producer and Librarian over orchestrations and rehearsal orders.
• Oversee the smooth running of the orchestra office & administration, as well as all work undertaken by the Assistant Orchestra Personnel Manager (including salary adjustments & freelance payments).

• Substantial experience in orchestra management, ideally with a knowledge of fixing, running concerts and recording sessions, and running audition and trial processes.
• Knowledge and understanding of orchestras who engage in a wide range of musical repertoire.
• Knowledge of working with various MU agreements.
• Be highly organised and have meticulous attention to detail, with demonstrated confidence, flexibility and composure under pressure.
• Embody and demonstrate the BBC Values across your work – Audiences, creativity, Trust, Respect, Accountability and One BBC.
• Have a personable manner with the ability to build trusting relationships with colleagues, with a passion and drive for inclusivity.

• Working knowledge of OPAS.
• Knowledge of orchestral touring.
• Knowledge of the BBC/MU agreement.

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…