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- Tasks: Lead and curate 150+ contemporary music events annually, including the iconic Meltdown Festival.
- Company: Join Southbank Centre, Europe's largest arts centre, in the heart of London's vibrant cultural scene.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid working model, 28 days leave, discounts, and wellness support.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative team that celebrates diversity and creates impactful artistic experiences.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in contemporary music programming and strong industry connections are essential.
- Other info: We welcome diverse applicants and offer training for motivated individuals.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We are currently looking for aHead of Contemporary Music to join on a full time permanent basis.
TheHead of Contemporary Musicis responsible for curating and overseeing the delivery of 150+ contemporary music events a year across a broad musical landscape, including working with the Head of Classical Music on our contemporary classical programme. These events are a mixture of our own promotions – including the iconic annual Meltdown Festival – and incoming hires.
Main responsibilities of the role include:
- To lead on curating the contemporary music programme across the Southbank Centre site and online.
- To be responsible for the booking, management and delivery of the contemporary music programme on time and to agreed budgets.
- To develop relationships and partnerships across the music industry.
- To develop Southbank Centre’s role for innovation and excellence within the contemporary music community, ensuring that the programme celebrates and attracts diversity in its many forms.
Key skills that will help you in this role include:
- A track record of leading an innovative and wide-ranging contemporary music programme at national or international level, with a wide knowledge of the current music scene and genres.
- Substantial experience of the commercial music sector, with existing international networks that includes artists, artist management, booking agents, record labels and music PR.
- Financial experience, including budget forecasting, managing show budgets and income targets.
- Up to date knowledge of contemporary global trends in music, of culturally diverse and leading-edge artistic practice.
Please download the Job Description from our Career page for a full overview of the roles responsibilities.
We welcome applications from people from a Black, Asian or Ethnically Diverse background or those who are D/deaf or disabled. If you wish to discuss reasonable adjustments such as a BSL interpreter for your interview please indicate this on your application form. Interviews will take place at The Southbank Centre. If you would like to speak to someone about any adjustments or concerns you can also email and we will be in touch with you to make the necessary arrangements.
By attracting people to work for us from a broad range of backgrounds with diverse attitudes, opinions and beliefs we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things. The Southbank Centre is a warm and welcoming place to work, with great aspirations and ambitions to create great and accessible work for all. We pride ourselves in building a supportive environment to enable the development of our staff.
If you feel you have just some of the required skills and experience but meet the person specification, we would still encourage you to apply; we are very open to continuing the training and development of individuals who are self motivated to acquire new skills and knowledge relevant to the role.
Southbank Centre
The Southbank Centre is Europe’s largest arts centre and one of the UK’s top five visitor attractions, occupying an 11-acre site that sits in the midst of London’s most vibrant cultural quarter on the South Bank of the Thames.
Its impact and reach are significant and it is respected internationally as a convener of great artists and diverse audiences and for being entrepreneurial and innovative in response to a volatile and changing financial landscape. The Southbank Centre is a charity that is determined to demonstrate its ambition to remain innovative, disruptive and experimental in what it does and to be highly relevant to the artists it wants to work with and to the audiences it wants to attract.
The Southbank Centre believes that a commitment to diversity and inclusion helps it be a more relevant and effective organisation.
At the Southbank Centre we believe in:
Creating welcoming spaces
- Because upholding respect, safety and belonging is at the heart of vibrant teams and communities.
- This means us all taking responsibility for shaping and protecting a kind, compassionate and inclusive environment for others.
Making wonderful experiences together
- Because we all contribute to amazing artistic moments at the Southbank Centre.
- This means us all understanding and valuing the different parts we play in creating enjoyment and success.
Sparking new thinking
- Because different views and thought-provoking conversations inspire innovation, learning and growth.
- This means everyone having a desire to learn and being open to evaluating how they think and work.
Benefits & Perks:
As well as working at one of London’s most popular and exciting sites the successful candidate will also benefit from the following:
- A min 5% employer’s pension contribution (rising to 9% depending on your employee contribution), from day 1 of employment
- 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time employees)
- Hybrid working model
- Enhanced sick pay
- Enhanced family leave benefits
- Up to 30% discounts at onsite retail, food and beverage vendors
- Staff ticket offers for Southbank Centre events
- Free entry to Hayward Gallery
- Free/discounted entry with other reciprocal organisations
- Free staff yoga
- Free access to emotional support from a confidential specialist Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7
- Season ticket loan
- Cycle to work scheme
The deadline for applications is 23:59 on the closing date for the job posting.
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Head of Contemporary Music employer: Iq Mag
Contact Detail:
Iq Mag Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Contemporary Music
✨Tip Number 1
Network actively within the contemporary music scene. Attend industry events, festivals, and conferences to meet artists, agents, and other professionals. Building these relationships can give you an edge when applying for the Head of Contemporary Music position.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on current trends in contemporary music. Follow influential blogs, podcasts, and social media accounts to understand what’s popular and emerging in the industry. This knowledge will be crucial during interviews and discussions about curating the music programme.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your financial acumen by familiarising yourself with budget management in the music sector. Consider taking a short course or workshop on financial planning for events, as this will show your commitment to managing the programme effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your vision for diversity and inclusion in the contemporary music programme. Think about how you can attract a wide range of audiences and artists, and be ready to share specific ideas during your interview to align with the Southbank Centre's values.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Contemporary Music
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in curating contemporary music programmes. Include specific examples of events you've managed, your role in them, and any relevant partnerships you've developed within the music industry.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for contemporary music and detail how your background aligns with the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Mention your understanding of current trends and your vision for the Southbank Centre's music programme.
Showcase Your Financial Acumen: Since financial experience is crucial for this role, be sure to include any relevant experience you have with budget forecasting and managing show budgets. Provide examples of how you've successfully met income targets in previous roles.
Highlight Diversity and Inclusion Efforts: Given the emphasis on diversity and inclusion at the Southbank Centre, mention any initiatives or experiences you have that demonstrate your commitment to these values. This could include working with diverse artists or creating inclusive programming.
How to prepare for a job interview at Iq Mag
✨Showcase Your Curatorial Vision
Be prepared to discuss your approach to curating contemporary music events. Highlight any innovative programmes you've led and how you ensure diversity and excellence in your selections.
✨Demonstrate Industry Connections
Since the role requires substantial experience in the commercial music sector, come ready to talk about your existing networks. Mention specific artists, management teams, or labels you've collaborated with.
✨Discuss Financial Acumen
Prepare to explain your experience with budget forecasting and managing show budgets. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully met income targets in previous roles.
✨Stay Current with Trends
Show that you are up-to-date with contemporary global music trends. Discuss recent developments in the music scene and how they could influence your programming at the Southbank Centre.
