Business Development and Innovation Manager
Orchestras Live £16,400 per annum (40% FTE salary of £41,000) Closing date 10 November 2025
Orchestras Live is seeking a Business Development and Innovation Manager to provide strategic leadership, build and manage a sales pipeline with products and services that will generate new sources of income.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
You will lead the delivery of Orchestras Live’s Business Development and Innovation Strategy. As Business Development and Innovation Manager, your key focus will be to grow earned income through securing clients for paid products and services - current and new - that stem from Orchestras Live’s expertise, reinforcing our brand, impact and values.
Our strategy reflects our ambition to develop a dynamic approach to grow earned income, extending the benefits of our expertise through a developing client base and creating new, innovative products. Developed in 2023 and implemented from 2024, it has already achieved above initial targets and demonstrated potential to grow. This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a big impact within our friendly team, on the organisation itself and across the cultural sector.
You will be responsible for:
• project management
• driving the sales pipeline
• writing scopes of work
• pricing strategy
• horizon scanning to identify/respond to new opportunities and develop new products and services
• monitoring and evaluating delivery and return from individual services.
You will work closely with our Stakeholder Engagement Team to drive visibility of Orchestras Live’s expertise and consultancy offer through new products and services.
This is a part-time role (40% FTE) for an initial fixed term of one year, renewable on performance against agreed targets and with a prospect for review of remuneration in light of income generation achieved and forecast, after 12 months.
BACKGROUND TO THE ROLE
Orchestras Live believes orchestras are for everyone. We are a national charity and producer, and create projects where music and creativity can thrive. We work to ensure all communities across England have access to worldclass orchestral experiences.
For 60 years we have worked with artistic and community partners on innovative and developmental approaches to developments such as cocreation, placemaking, community cohesion, health and wellbeing, orchestral programming and presentation, digital production, diversity and inclusion and cultural regeneration in historically underinvested areas. Through our achievements we have built a reputation as a leader for the sector.
We receive funding from Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation. Our other principal funding sources are co-investment from local partners (local authorities, music education hubs, community organisations) and grants from private trusts and foundations and public bodies.
Orchestras Live’s Business Plan Income Generation Strategy aims to diversify income across three key pillars: Funding Development, Partnership Investment and Business Development and Innovation.
The aim of the Business Development and Innovation strand is to capitalise on our expertise to contribute financially to Orchestras Live, enabling us to achieve greater impact and increase our financial resilience. Launched in 2024 it has successfully brought an initial service offer to market and achieved wide recognition in the cultural sector. We are poised to develop further products and services which apply our specialist knowledge, directly addressing current needs, challenges and opportunities in the orchestral sector and beyond.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
The Business Development and Innovation Manager will report to the Chief Executive, and liaise with the Stakeholder Engagement Team (Communications Strategist, Production, Data & Insight Analyst, Head of Development), General Manager, and Producer team. The Dynamism Working Group of trustees and staff keeps a watching brief on the Business Development function.
The work will consist of five core elements:
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
• Developing and driving a sales pipeline, securing commissions of Orchestras Live consultancy services and products by identifying, building relationships and negotiating with new clients.
• Analysing the sales pipeline metrics to identify areas for improvement, increase management effectiveness and maximise return.
BUSINESS INNOVATION
• Continuing the rollout and refinement of the Social Value Engine-based service offer.
• Identifying and developing new products and services in consultation with key staff and external stakeholders.
• Looking beyond Orchestras Live’s traditional partner base to capitalise on our unique approach to creative engagement.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
• Overseeing scheduling, design, delivery, budgeting and administration of products and services.
• Writing scopes of work: milestones, reports, deliverables, end products and timeline for all deliverables.
• Providing the central coordination point for personnel involved, whether Orchestras Live existing staff or freelance specialists.
• Evaluation of individual services delivered.
FINANCE
• Managing the pricing strategy.
• Maintaining and refining systems for the financial model, budgeting and monitoring systems.
• Liaising with Orchestras Live CEO and General Manager on forecasts and budgets.
• Evaluating performance against forecast.
• Reporting to the Chief Executive and Board.
COMMUNICATIONS
• Developing models for Orchestras Live consultancy offers.
• Supporting the marketing of business innovation services and products with the Orchestras Live Communications: Brand and Content Officer.
• Advocacy for and representation of Orchestras Live at external events.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We’re looking for someone who can lead our Business Development and Innovation Strategy with creativity, confidence, and a collaborative spirit. Below are the qualities and experience we believe are essential or beneficial for success in this role.
Essential Experience, Knowledge and Skills:
• Strategic business development experience
• Experience managing innovation and business growth strategies
• Proven sales track record and client pipeline development
• Experience of driving brand awareness for new business
• Data management and CRM system proficiency
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to respond to competitive tenders
Beneficial Experience, Knowledge and Skills:
• Experience in the creative and cultural industries
• Understanding of digital product monetisation
• Commitment to cultural activity as a driver of social impact
• Knowledge of UK cultural and public/charitable sector infrastructure
• Understanding of arts and culture funding structures
Essential Personal Qualities:
• Entrepreneurial and open to new ideas
• Results oriented
• Financially literate
• Strong networker and relationship builder
• Analytical thinker
• Resilient and adaptable
• Collaborative team player
• Values driven
Beneficial Personal Qualities
• Passion for live music and participatory performance
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, age groups and cultures. We have made specific commitments to embed equity of access and opportunity across our delivery programme and organisational structure.
To help us deliver these, we are keen to hear from Global Majority, D/deaf and disabled candidates to support better representation on our Board and in leadership positions in our sector.
Candidates who self-identify as belonging to one or more of these groups and can demonstrate experience in the essential areas listed above will be guaranteed an online interview at the first stage.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
This is a part-time role for an initial fixed term of one year, renewable on performance against agreed targets.
The position is 40% full-time equivalent (14 working hours per week excluding breaks).
Orchestras Live pays Real Living Wage rates as recommended by the Living Wage Foundation. The salary will be a minimum of £16,400 per annum (40% of a full-time equivalent salary of £41,000) for review of remuneration in light of income generation achieved and forecast, after 12 months.
Confirmation of the initial 12 month position is subject to a 3-month probationary period.
The successful post holder will report to the Chief Executive on results measured against clear Business Plan and financial targets, to be mutually agreed within the first month in post.
Flexible working options are available: home-based, office (we have office space for hot-desking in London and Leeds) or hybrid. We will agree with the post-holder attendance at a minimum number of Team meetings either in Leeds or London.
Expenses for necessary travel will be reimbursed on receipt of monthly claims and receipts.
The annual leave will be 25 days plus Bank Holidays/Extra Statutory Days, pro rata.
After 1 month’s service, notice can be served by either party, giving two month’s written notice of intent.
Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK.
HOW TO APPLY
For further information and details on how to apply, please visit our website.
03000301160
3 Sheaf Street
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
You will lead the delivery of Orchestras Live’s Business Development and Innovation Strategy. As Business Development and Innovation Manager, your key focus will be to grow earned income through securing clients for paid products and services - current and new - that stem from Orchestras Live’s expertise, reinforcing our brand, impact and values.
Our strategy reflects our ambition to develop a dynamic approach to grow earned income, extending the benefits of our expertise through a developing client base and creating new, innovative products. Developed in 2023 and implemented from 2024, it has already achieved above initial targets and demonstrated potential to grow. This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a big impact within our friendly team, on the organisation itself and across the cultural sector.
You will be responsible for:
• project management
• driving the sales pipeline
• writing scopes of work
• pricing strategy
• horizon scanning to identify/respond to new opportunities and develop new products and services
• monitoring and evaluating delivery and return from individual services.
You will work closely with our Stakeholder Engagement Team to drive visibility of Orchestras Live’s expertise and consultancy offer through new products and services.
This is a part-time role (40% FTE) for an initial fixed term of one year, renewable on performance against agreed targets and with a prospect for review of remuneration in light of income generation achieved and forecast, after 12 months.
BACKGROUND TO THE ROLE
Orchestras Live believes orchestras are for everyone. We are a national charity and producer, and create projects where music and creativity can thrive. We work to ensure all communities across England have access to worldclass orchestral experiences.
For 60 years we have worked with artistic and community partners on innovative and developmental approaches to developments such as cocreation, placemaking, community cohesion, health and wellbeing, orchestral programming and presentation, digital production, diversity and inclusion and cultural regeneration in historically underinvested areas. Through our achievements we have built a reputation as a leader for the sector.
We receive funding from Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation. Our other principal funding sources are co-investment from local partners (local authorities, music education hubs, community organisations) and grants from private trusts and foundations and public bodies.
Orchestras Live’s Business Plan Income Generation Strategy aims to diversify income across three key pillars: Funding Development, Partnership Investment and Business Development and Innovation.
The aim of the Business Development and Innovation strand is to capitalise on our expertise to contribute financially to Orchestras Live, enabling us to achieve greater impact and increase our financial resilience. Launched in 2024 it has successfully brought an initial service offer to market and achieved wide recognition in the cultural sector. We are poised to develop further products and services which apply our specialist knowledge, directly addressing current needs, challenges and opportunities in the orchestral sector and beyond.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
The Business Development and Innovation Manager will report to the Chief Executive, and liaise with the Stakeholder Engagement Team (Communications Strategist, Production, Data & Insight Analyst, Head of Development), General Manager, and Producer team. The Dynamism Working Group of trustees and staff keeps a watching brief on the Business Development function.
The work will consist of five core elements:
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
• Developing and driving a sales pipeline, securing commissions of Orchestras Live consultancy services and products by identifying, building relationships and negotiating with new clients.
• Analysing the sales pipeline metrics to identify areas for improvement, increase management effectiveness and maximise return.
BUSINESS INNOVATION
• Continuing the rollout and refinement of the Social Value Engine-based service offer.
• Identifying and developing new products and services in consultation with key staff and external stakeholders.
• Looking beyond Orchestras Live’s traditional partner base to capitalise on our unique approach to creative engagement.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
• Overseeing scheduling, design, delivery, budgeting and administration of products and services.
• Writing scopes of work: milestones, reports, deliverables, end products and timeline for all deliverables.
• Providing the central coordination point for personnel involved, whether Orchestras Live existing staff or freelance specialists.
• Evaluation of individual services delivered.
FINANCE
• Managing the pricing strategy.
• Maintaining and refining systems for the financial model, budgeting and monitoring systems.
• Liaising with Orchestras Live CEO and General Manager on forecasts and budgets.
• Evaluating performance against forecast.
• Reporting to the Chief Executive and Board.
COMMUNICATIONS
• Developing models for Orchestras Live consultancy offers.
• Supporting the marketing of business innovation services and products with the Orchestras Live Communications: Brand and Content Officer.
• Advocacy for and representation of Orchestras Live at external events.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We’re looking for someone who can lead our Business Development and Innovation Strategy with creativity, confidence, and a collaborative spirit. Below are the qualities and experience we believe are essential or beneficial for success in this role.
Essential Experience, Knowledge and Skills:
• Strategic business development experience
• Experience managing innovation and business growth strategies
• Proven sales track record and client pipeline development
• Experience of driving brand awareness for new business
• Data management and CRM system proficiency
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to respond to competitive tenders
Beneficial Experience, Knowledge and Skills:
• Experience in the creative and cultural industries
• Understanding of digital product monetisation
• Commitment to cultural activity as a driver of social impact
• Knowledge of UK cultural and public/charitable sector infrastructure
• Understanding of arts and culture funding structures
Essential Personal Qualities:
• Entrepreneurial and open to new ideas
• Results oriented
• Financially literate
• Strong networker and relationship builder
• Analytical thinker
• Resilient and adaptable
• Collaborative team player
• Values driven
Beneficial Personal Qualities
• Passion for live music and participatory performance
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, age groups and cultures. We have made specific commitments to embed equity of access and opportunity across our delivery programme and organisational structure.
To help us deliver these, we are keen to hear from Global Majority, D/deaf and disabled candidates to support better representation on our Board and in leadership positions in our sector.
Candidates who self-identify as belonging to one or more of these groups and can demonstrate experience in the essential areas listed above will be guaranteed an online interview at the first stage.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
This is a part-time role for an initial fixed term of one year, renewable on performance against agreed targets.
The position is 40% full-time equivalent (14 working hours per week excluding breaks).
Orchestras Live pays Real Living Wage rates as recommended by the Living Wage Foundation. The salary will be a minimum of £16,400 per annum (40% of a full-time equivalent salary of £41,000) for review of remuneration in light of income generation achieved and forecast, after 12 months.
Confirmation of the initial 12 month position is subject to a 3-month probationary period.
The successful post holder will report to the Chief Executive on results measured against clear Business Plan and financial targets, to be mutually agreed within the first month in post.
Flexible working options are available: home-based, office (we have office space for hot-desking in London and Leeds) or hybrid. We will agree with the post-holder attendance at a minimum number of Team meetings either in Leeds or London.
Expenses for necessary travel will be reimbursed on receipt of monthly claims and receipts.
The annual leave will be 25 days plus Bank Holidays/Extra Statutory Days, pro rata.
After 1 month’s service, notice can be served by either party, giving two month’s written notice of intent.
Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK.
HOW TO APPLY
For further information and details on how to apply, please visit our website.
Contact details
nancy@orchestraslive.org.uk03000301160
3 Sheaf Street