Head of Artistic Planning and Production
BBC National Orchestra & Chorus of Wales 50,000+ Closing date 22 April 2025
The BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales occupies a special role as both a BBC broadcast orchestra and the national symphony orchestra of Wales. The Orchestra is generously supported by the Arts Council of Wales and is proud to work with an outstanding group of conductors.
As one of the six BBC Orchestras and Choirs, the Orchestra has a busy schedule of recordings, broadcasts and concerts for BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Films and BBC television.
Learning is also at the heart of our work, developing innovative projects to increase accessibility to classical music and engaging with communities across Wales.
This role is a senior management position, reporting to the Director, and is accountable for leading a team that delivers outstanding artistic creative planning and production for the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales. You will lead the design and implementation of the businesses artistic programme and will be responsible for attracting visiting conductors and soloists, together with the management of budgets and the artistic administration team.
This role works closely with the rest of the Orchestra's management and musicians to drive the artistic ambition and production values of BBC NOW; growing and embedding the orchestra's high calibre performances across Wales and beyond. This work is essential in supporting BBC NOW's ambition to deepen the connection with its audiences; both as a unique cultural asset for Wales and as a key provider of outstanding BBC content, primarily on BBC Radio 3.
Creative and innovative flair, strong production values, exceptional understanding of symphonic repertoire, desire to serve the needs of our audiences, pursuit of the highest artistic standards, experience of the fullest range of symphony orchestra activities and endless ideas for making classical music accessible to all people, will be evident in the successful candidate.
Job Requirements
Develop and maintain outstanding relationships with a range of partners including Radio 3 & other BBC departments, venues, agents, promoters, festivals, recording and production companies. Produce a proportion of the portfolio in consultation with the Productor. Originating and developing new orchestral content appropriate across live, broadcast and digital platforms - engage as broad a range of audience as possible, drawing on the full abilities of BBC NOW. Develop the production teams and providing guidance and support to direct their work. You will work with the learning team & chorus to programme their activity and you will monitor the quality of all Orchestra and Chorus output and take action to maintain and where appropriate, improve standards. Be an active member of the Senior Management Team. You will act as the Chair Conductor Search Committee / Artistic Forum as well as any Duty Manager activity such as managing artists & relationship with promoter.
Job Responsibilities
• Exceptional knowledge of the orchestral repertoire and programming - university degree or equivalent experience/qualifications.
• Significant experience in a similar artistic role.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Radio 3 output and its competitors.
• Classical Music and/or Radio production experience to the highest levels.
• Detailed and up to date knowledge of the classical music sector internationally.
• Ability to read music/scores and have experience of working with classical musicians.
• Outstanding administrative & IT skills, an eye for detail and the ability to keep accurate records and forward plans with pin-point accuracy.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• A rudimentary understanding of Musicians Union guidelines for employing musicians is desirable.
• Understanding of OPAS software is a bonus.
• Understanding of current educational and community agendas.
• The ability to represent BBC NOW and attend events across Wales and beyond.
• The ability to influence, persuade and encourage others.
07902705482
BBC Hoddinott Hall
Bute Place, Cardiff Bay
As one of the six BBC Orchestras and Choirs, the Orchestra has a busy schedule of recordings, broadcasts and concerts for BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Films and BBC television.
Learning is also at the heart of our work, developing innovative projects to increase accessibility to classical music and engaging with communities across Wales.
This role is a senior management position, reporting to the Director, and is accountable for leading a team that delivers outstanding artistic creative planning and production for the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales. You will lead the design and implementation of the businesses artistic programme and will be responsible for attracting visiting conductors and soloists, together with the management of budgets and the artistic administration team.
This role works closely with the rest of the Orchestra's management and musicians to drive the artistic ambition and production values of BBC NOW; growing and embedding the orchestra's high calibre performances across Wales and beyond. This work is essential in supporting BBC NOW's ambition to deepen the connection with its audiences; both as a unique cultural asset for Wales and as a key provider of outstanding BBC content, primarily on BBC Radio 3.
Creative and innovative flair, strong production values, exceptional understanding of symphonic repertoire, desire to serve the needs of our audiences, pursuit of the highest artistic standards, experience of the fullest range of symphony orchestra activities and endless ideas for making classical music accessible to all people, will be evident in the successful candidate.
Job Requirements
Develop and maintain outstanding relationships with a range of partners including Radio 3 & other BBC departments, venues, agents, promoters, festivals, recording and production companies. Produce a proportion of the portfolio in consultation with the Productor. Originating and developing new orchestral content appropriate across live, broadcast and digital platforms - engage as broad a range of audience as possible, drawing on the full abilities of BBC NOW. Develop the production teams and providing guidance and support to direct their work. You will work with the learning team & chorus to programme their activity and you will monitor the quality of all Orchestra and Chorus output and take action to maintain and where appropriate, improve standards. Be an active member of the Senior Management Team. You will act as the Chair Conductor Search Committee / Artistic Forum as well as any Duty Manager activity such as managing artists & relationship with promoter.
Job Responsibilities
• Exceptional knowledge of the orchestral repertoire and programming - university degree or equivalent experience/qualifications.
• Significant experience in a similar artistic role.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Radio 3 output and its competitors.
• Classical Music and/or Radio production experience to the highest levels.
• Detailed and up to date knowledge of the classical music sector internationally.
• Ability to read music/scores and have experience of working with classical musicians.
• Outstanding administrative & IT skills, an eye for detail and the ability to keep accurate records and forward plans with pin-point accuracy.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• A rudimentary understanding of Musicians Union guidelines for employing musicians is desirable.
• Understanding of OPAS software is a bonus.
• Understanding of current educational and community agendas.
• The ability to represent BBC NOW and attend events across Wales and beyond.
• The ability to influence, persuade and encourage others.
Contact details
lisa.tregale@bbc.co.uk07902705482
BBC Hoddinott Hall
Bute Place, Cardiff Bay