Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra - Projects Coordinator BSO Participate in Poole

One of the UK’s best-loved orchestras, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is known for championing the role of culture in people’s lives. Based at Lighthouse, Poole, the Orchestra is resident in Bristol, Exeter, Portsmouth, Southampton, and Yeovil, and performs in towns and villages across the region. It is the largest cultural provider in the Southwest of England, serving one of the biggest and most diverse regions in the UK. Mark Wigglesworth’s appointment as Chief Conductor builds on the BSO’s reputation for the highest quality music-making; the Orchestra boasts an enviable list of named conductors, including Principal Guest Conductor Chloé van Soeterstède, Marin Alsop, David Hill MBE, Kirill Karabits, and Andrew Litton.

BSO Participate positively impacts the lives of people living across the 10,000 square miles of the Southwest of England. Every year, the BSO’s award‑winning programme creates over 50,000 opportunities for people throughout the life span from parents and babies to people at the end of life to experience, learn and create music – building connections, improving health & wellbeing and enriching creativity and learning. With inclusion at the heart of all our work we actively challenge barriers to music, working with a wealth of specialist partners and a network of BSO Associate music leaders across the South West.

You will be joining a passionate and dedicated BSO Participate team - from our Head Office to our network of music leaders and musicians across the Southwest, in continuing to be at the forefront of championing access to high‑quality music. Working with people of all ages including families, people experiencing mental health challenges, people living with dementia, patients and staff in hospitals and residents and staff in care homes, you will be part of a team committed to ensuring that music is part of people’s lives right across the South and South West.

We’re looking for someone with the right potential, for a role that is full of opportunity to make a mark as part of a pioneering programme. The BSO is committed to equal opportunities and highly values diversity in its workforce. We actively welcome applications from individuals with backgrounds currently underrepresented in the arts. We acknowledge the barriers that exist and are committed to providing equal opportunities. We believe that having a diverse workforce strengthens the work we do. We are proud to be recognised as a Disability Confident employer and are committed to making reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process and in the role.

Role summary

The Coordinator will work closely with the Senior Programme Manager on BSO’s vibrant programme of Creative Health and Community and support the full output of the Participate department. The role will include work from the Head Office in Poole and travelling to projects across the South West, supporting creative teams, partners and participants of all ages and in a range of settings to connect with the unique power of music to transform lives.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead on the coordination of Creative Health programmes including 7 regional year‑round Recovery, Wellbeing and Community Orchestras and a growing programme of music in hospitals, to include:

• Scheduling and briefing musicians
• Supporting planning with Associate music leaders
• Liaising with cross‑sector partners on the coordination, briefing and evaluation of programmes
• Collecting and processing of monitoring and evaluation data for all programmes

Administration, Evaluation, Advocacy and Digital

• Create events, manage records and log information to ensure accurate record keeping on Spektrix, the Participate diary, OPAS (Orchestral Planning software), fee sheets and attendance records
• Monitor events and projects, including data management with participants, artists, audiences and partners
• Collate feedback and monitoring data for key stakeholders, and identify learnings, case studies and stories from across the Programme
• Work with BSO marketing/communications to publicise BSO Participate events, and feature projects in internal and external communications, including keeping BSO Participate pages up to date on the website
• Work with the Senior Programme Manager to keep all relevant partners and stakeholders informed about projects and the wider work of BSO Participate
• Assist with BSO Participate programme enquiries through phone, email and in person

General

• Support the BSO Participate team in all aspects of the programme, assisting with larger projects and events where required
• Carry out other duties as required

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience organising, planning and delivering projects and events
• Experience and knowledge of music/performing arts
• Experience of working or volunteering in an arts organisation
• Experience working with vulnerable adults and young people
• Understanding of safeguarding
• Experience working inclusively and applying the social model of disability (desirable)

Skills

• Excellent organisational skills with high level of attention to detail
• Ability to prioritise multiple workstreams and hit deadlines
• Excellent standard of literacy and numeracy
• Excellent computer skills (Excel, Word, email, learning new systems)

Personal Attributes

• A passion for participation and the role of music in enhancing people’s quality of life
• A passion for working with partners across sectors, including health & community
• A team player who thrives in working with others and can anticipate need
• Confident engaging with and supporting a range of people from diverse backgrounds sensitively and inclusively, from participants to artists & musicians
• Highly motivated and proactive. Enjoys a mix of desk‑work and on‑project event coordination

General

• Availability and willingness to work occasional weekends and evenings