Background to the role

Orchestras Live believes orchestras are for everyone. We are a national producer and create projects where music and creativity can thrive. We work to ensure communities across England have access to world-class orchestral experiences.

For nearly 60 years we have worked with artistic and community partners on innovative and developmental approaches to issues such as co-creation, place-making, community cohesion, orchestral programming and presentation, digital production, diversity and inclusion and cultural regeneration in historically under-invested 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.
Orchestras Live’s Business Plan Income Generation Strategy aims to diversify income across three key pillars: Funding Development, Partnership Investment and Business Innovation.

The aim of the new Business Innovation strand is to capitalise on our expertise to contribute financially to Orchestras Live, enabling us to achieve greater impact and increase our resilience. We have identified and shortlisted an initial suite of products and services which apply our specialist knowledge to directly address current needs, challenges and opportunities in the orchestral sector and potentially beyond. Through stakeholder discussions and market testing we are confident that these provide robust building blocks for the implementation of our strategy.

What you will do

The Business Innovation Manager will report to the Chief Executive, and liaise with the Head of Development, General Manager, our Communications team and Producer team.

The work will consist of five core elements:

Business Development

• Developing and driving a new 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 maxmise return.

Business Innovation

• Identifying 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

• Establishing the pricing strategy.
• Establishing new systems for the financial model, budgeting and monitoring systems.
• Liaising with Orchestras Live external accountants.
• Evaluating performance against forecast.
• Reporting to the Chief Executive and Board.

Communications

• Developing templates for Orchestras Live consultancy ‘packages’.
• Supporting the external communications for business innovation within the Orchestras Live brand, working alongside Orchestras Live Communications: Brand and Content Officer.
• Advocacy for and representation of Orchestras Live to external stakeholders.

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 £16,000 per annum (40% of a full-time equivalent salary of £40,000) with a prospect for profit share 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.

Find out more

• About us
• The role
• About you
• How to apply
• Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

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