Programme Manager

Your first-rate understanding of orchestral repertoire and a range of contexts and markets will enable you to devise compelling programmes and concert formats in response to and driven by themes which connect classical music with the world of today and meet box office targets. You will know the importance of equality and diversity on stage in building a future for classical music, and be an active champion of creative projects which demonstrate this.

You will be sensitive to the needs of artists and composers, and experienced in working with conductors in creating programmes, whilst also maintaining in-the-round awareness of the complex jigsaw of sometimes competing priorities and restrictions into which any project has to be delivered.

Discovering new artists and musical voices will be something you are passionate about, as will be the shaping of contexts, formats and musical and cultural narratives to give artists the best chance of connecting with audiences. Your interests will extend to other musical genres, including orchestral music for film, television and games.

You will be curious about learning and education work, and non-main-stage activity, including digital and immersive projects, and will be thinking collaboratively and pro-actively about their relationship to performances on the concert stage.

You will play a key leadership role in the ongoing transformation of the organisation: ensuring the highest artistic standards based on the unique Philharmonia sound, whilst championing and developing an artistic strategy built around innovation.

As a member of the Exec Team, you will report to the Chief Executive. You will work in close partnership with the Concerts Director and team, and also have close working relationships with other members of the Exec Team, President, Vice President and the Philharmonia Orchestra Artistic Committee.

You will be a collaborative and inclusive leader who acts with integrity, and who can manage complex systems and personalities in line with Philharmonia’s vision, mission, and strategic aims.

Key information

• Contract: Permanent, full-time - part-time applications will be considered

• Location: London Office - 6 Chancel Street, London, England, SE1 0UX - with some flexibility on

  remote working. Regular weekend and evening work required, as well as some international travel to

  research artists and accompany the orchestra on international tours and engagements

• Reports to: Chief Executive

• Direct reports: n/a - Task management of the Executive & Programming Co-ordinator

Key responsibilities

Programming & artistic relationships

• Devise and implement the artistic strategy and programme of the Philharmonia Orchestra in close consultation with the Chief Executive, Principal Conductor and Exec Team colleagues

• Act as primary liaison to the Principal Conductor and other titled artists, discussing and agreeing programmes and projects

• Engage guest conductors and soloists for all Philharmonia own-promoted performances and engagements, including fee negotiations

• Identify and lead opportunities for commissioning and co-commissioning of new works, negotiating commission fees and contracts. Liaison with publishers

• Negotiate co-promotion deals with external partners such as Serious or Southbank Centre

• Liaise with conductors and touring partners to develop programmes for foreign touring, while

  considering market and budget limitations

• Initiate and develop non-standard orchestral projects, such as film with live orchestra, cross-artform or cross-genre collaborations, and performances at non-standard venues

• Develop suitable programmes for Philharmonia Residency venues, taking both box office and logistical considerations into account

• Handle artist and conductor cancellations and identifying suitable replacements. Liaising internally with other departments over all cancellations

• Develop repertoire ideas and ensure timely registration on clash-diary, with support from Concerts Manager

• Lead on chamber music programming, including liaison with players over proposals

• Research and identify future featured artists, composers and guest conductors proactively

Internal & external communications

• Represent the artistic programming function to senior staff, promoters, agents, donors, Board members and volunteers

• Collaborate with the Learning and Engagement department to integrate the performance programme with educational projects in the planning stage, including Artist in Residence programme

• Collaborate with the Development Department on programmed-led fundraising activities

• Be in regular contact with Marketing colleagues as artistic plans consolidate and confirm. Advise on narrative and proof-read key documents

• Act as artistic liaison with external partners as required

Budgeting, rehearsal & instrumentation planning

• Work with the Concerts Director and Managers to create project and season activity budgets, accurately forecasting expenditure and advising on box office targets

• Oversee the planning of rehearsals by Concerts Managers, seeking advice from members of the orchestra as necessary

• Agree special instruments, and relevant additional fees

Principal liaison with Southbank Centre

• Lead on the day-to-day relationship with Southbank Centre, both in terms of strategy and date requests as principal point of contact

• Keep SBC colleagues updated on future artistic plans, specifically identifying future projects which may be of interest to Southbank Centre to collaborate on, on a co-promotion or engagement basis

Orchestra liaison

• Lead the Artistic Committee discussions re future plans, and ideas around conductors and soloists • Work with the Concerts Assistants and Data & Insight Manager to issue periodic conductor and soloist survey, using results to inform future programming
• Be in regular contact with key orchestral personnel over suitability of repertoire if rehearsal time is  severely limited

Recordings & digital

• Lead on Philharmonia Records, developing and overseeing the recordings strategy
• Identify, and plan potential own-label recording projects
• Listen to recordings to assess suitability for release, and discussing in-house recordings with Artistic Committee
• Work with Immersive Producer on programmatic aspects of digital projects • Identify projects which could be digital first from the outset

Other

• Work with the CEO and Exec team colleagues on developing future business plan and strategies built around the Orchestra’s new mission, vision and values

• As a member of the Exec team represent the Orchestra in key operational and strategic relationships, as required

• Attend performances at Southbank Centre and at venues out of London and overseas, as required, in order to monitor artistic performance and quality

Required skills & experience

• Excellent track record of working in artistic planning or artist management (min 7-10 years)

• First-class knowledge of orchestral repertoire and artists, as well as the work of the Philharmonia

  Orchestra

• Demonstrable creative programming experience at an international level

• First-rate budgeting and financial management skills

• Demonstrable entrepreneurial mindset with a successful history of creating new projects

• Current experience of development of UK and international markets for orchestras

• First-class communications, influencing, and negotiation skills – and the ability to make the case

  effectively and enthusiastically

• A collaborative team player able to develop excellent working relationships across the organisation

• Flexible and positive attitude, as well as the ability to think laterally and creatively to overcome

  obstacles

• High level of professionalism, self-motivation and organisation, and an ability to manage complex

  issues effectively

• Ability to regularly work out of hours and travel, as required

• Diplomatic and capable of being an excellent ambassador for the Philharmonia

How to apply

Please email your CV and covering letter.

Deadline for applications: Sunday 5 May 2024. First interviews will be held on Friday 10 May 2024