Vice Principal (Music) in Birmingham

Department RBC: Music Location Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Salary £81,836 to £92,593per annum Permanent Post Type Full Time Release Date 23 July 2026 Closing Date 23.59 hours BST on Sunday 23 August 2026 Interview Date Thursday 27 August 2026 Reference RBC26007

Please note: this opportunity is only available to current employees of the University

At Birmingham City University, we are a diverse and inclusive learning community of over 31,400 students from more than 120 countries.

We aim to become an exemplar anchor institution, creating and sharing knowledge for a better and more inclusive society.

We are committed to providing a transformational educational experience, supporting world-class research, and fostering a collaborative and supportive working environment for our staff.

Recognised as one of the UK’s Top 250 employers (Financial Times & Statista), we pride ourselves on being a place where colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to grow their careers while contributing to the success of our students and communities.

Our student demographic reflects the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of Birmingham itself, with a significant proportion of students from minoritised ethnic backgrounds and the majority of our home students coming from the West Midlands.

This diversity is a strength, and it calls for a workforce that is equipped to challenge deficit narratives and thinking - those assumptions that position students from underrepresented groups as lacking rather than recognising their assets, strengths and potential.

By embracing this perspective, we aim to create an environment where all students and colleagues can thrive, and where our work contributes positively to the social, cultural and economic life of Birmingham and beyond.

Overview

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC) is seeking an exceptional and visionary leaderfrom among its existing staff to join our senior management team as a second Vice Principal (Music), sharing the role with the existing postholder who is reducing their hours.

This position provides an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in the strategic direction, academic leadership and day-to-day management of one of the UK's leading conservatoires.

Working closely with the Principal and existing Vice Principal (Music), you will provide academic and operational leadership across the Conservatoire, ensuring an outstanding student experience while supporting innovation, excellence and growth within our vibrant community.

About the Role

Together with the existing Vice Principal (Music), you will

• Contribute to the strategic leadership and development of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire as a member of the Senior Management Team.
• Lead academic planning, operations, and key institutional projects in consultation with the Principal and Senior Management Team.
• Champion a student-centred culture that delivers an exceptional learning experience.
• Manage Heads of Departments and Directors of Studies (Music) and advise on the appointment of Visiting Tutors.
• Drive innovation in teaching and learning through the development and review of pedagogic strategies.
• Coordinate the Conservatoire's academic calendar and oversee academic processes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the wider University, Faculty colleagues, and external partners.
• Chair and participate in committees, course boards, and strategic decision-making groups.
• Undertake teaching, assessment, auditioning, and examining activities as required.
• Represent the Conservatoire at University level and deputise for the Principal and other Vice Principal (Music) when necessary.

While there will be some overlap and sharing of responsibilities with the existing Vice Principal (Music), we intend that the focus of this postholder’s portfolio will encompass management of various operational aspects within Music, including recruitment, scholarships, course marketing, attendance monitoring and timetabling.

In addition, it will also include oversight of international activity across the Conservatoire (including Acting).

What We're Looking For

We’re seeking a dynamic and inspirational leader with

• Significant management and administrative experience within music education.
• Extensive knowledge of a broad range of musical repertoire and genres.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and inspire individuals and teams.
• Experience of managing budgets and allocating resources effectively.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
• A successful track record of delivering strategic objectives and performance outcomes.
• Experience contributing to and implementing organisational vision and strategy.
• Experience chairing committees and leading decision-making groups.
• Significant experience as a professional musician at a high level.
• An advanced qualification in music teaching.
• Knowledge of the UK conservatoire sector.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Shirley Thompson, Vice Principal (Music) of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire at Shirley. Thompson@bcu. ac. uk

• Work-life balance - Generous leave and hybrid working (role dependent).
• Career development - Opportunities to grow, develop and progress your career.
• Reward and wellbeing - Competitive pay, pension, wellbeing support and staff benefits.
• Inclusive culture - A supportive, diverse environment where everyone belongs.

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route, subject to meeting the relevant criteria.

For further information, please visit: https://www. gov. uk/skilled-worker-visa

At BCU, we welcome applications that clearly demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role.

AI tools may be used to support you in preparing your application, but the information you provide must be accurate, authentic and based on your own experience.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI, appear generic or do not provide specific evidence against the role criteria are less likely to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process.

For more information, please refer to our candidate guidance; How to Apply - Jobs at Birmingham City University

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to an environment that supports lawful free speech and academic freedom.

We will continuously review and improve our policies, practices, and procedures to ensure that we are promoting these in all aspects of our operations.

We believe that by working together, combining our many different backgrounds and life experiences, we will empower each other to reach our full potential.

Disability Confident Employer

Birmingham City University is proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process.

Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview.

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