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- Tasks: Lead KOKO's live music programme, shaping creative and commercial direction.
- Company: KOKO, a vibrant venue at the heart of London's music scene.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for creativity.
- Other info: Join a passionate team and enjoy flexible working hours to support events.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on London's live music landscape and shape cultural moments.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in live music programming and strong industry connections.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
The Head of Live Music is responsible for defining and delivering the creative, cultural and commercial direction of KOKO's live music programme across KOKO Theatre, Ellen's and associated showcase and artist-led formats. This is a strategic, outward-facing role responsible for shaping a live programme that is culturally relevant, commercially successful and distinctive to KOKO's position in the market. You will bring a confident approach to creative and commercial risk, deep industry relationships and the ability to translate ideas into programming that drives both audience engagement and revenue.
Working closely with Marketing, Membership, Events and Partnerships, you will play a central role in evolving the live calendar, identifying new opportunities and ensuring that programming feels connected, intentional and forward-thinking across all touchpoints.
Working week: Full-time, 40 hours per week. This role requires flexibility to support client engagement and events, including evening and out-of-hours commitments aligned with business needs.
Role & Responsibilities
- Live Programming & Creative Direction
- Own the end-to-end live music strategy and programming output across KOKO Theatre, Ellen's and showcase formats.
- Independently shape and deliver a commercially optimised and culturally leading live calendar.
- Identify, secure and programme both established and emerging talent aligned to KOKO's positioning.
- Develop original formats, artist collaborations and programming concepts that elevate the offer beyond traditional live booking.
- Maintain a forward-thinking approach, responding to cultural shifts and audience behaviour.
- Commercial & Strategic Ownership
- Hold responsibility for the commercial performance of live programming, including budgeting and P&L oversight.
- Operate with autonomy in decision-making within agreed parameters.
- Drive revenue through a mix of ticketed events, partnerships and collaborations.
- Be responsible for identifying gaps in the calendar and independently sourcing solutions that strengthen both revenue and cultural impact.
- Continuously review deal structures, pricing and commercial models to optimise performance.
- Use performance data, audience insight and market intelligence to inform decisions, track trends and clearly report on outcomes and opportunities.
- Align programming decisions with wider business priorities and growth plans.
- Partnerships & Artist Collaboration
- Build and maintain strong relationships with agents, managers, promoters and artists.
- Develop partnerships and collaborations that enhance both audience experience and commercial performance.
- Position KOKO as a leading platform for live performance, artist development and cultural moments.
- Collaboration & Cross-Functional Delivery
- Work closely with Marketing, Membership, Events and Operations to bring programming to life at the highest standard.
- Ensure live programming is fully embedded into campaign planning, storytelling and audience development strategies.
- Support the development of member-facing live experiences and exclusive programming.
- Ensure clear communication of programming priorities across the business.
- Planning & Execution
- Oversee forward planning of the live calendar, ensuring strong pacing, variety, and commercial balance.
- Monitor performance and adapt programming strategy in response to results and insights.
- Lead change where required, evolving ways of working, team structure and programming approach to support future growth.
- Conduct appropriate background research and risk assessment on artists, collaborators and live activity.
- Identify potential reputational, operational or security risks at an early stage and develop proportionate mitigation strategies, consulting with the COO and relevant stakeholders where material risk is identified.
- Leadership & Representation
- Lead the live music team with clear direction, pace and intent, setting clear priorities and standards.
- Foster a collaborative, ambitious and delivery-focused team culture.
- Ensure the team is aligned on priorities at all times, with strong clarity around what matters commercially and creatively.
- Champion strong internal collaboration between programming, marketing, events and operations to ensure seamless execution.
- Act as a senior external representative for KOKO's live music identity across industry, media and cultural platforms.
About you
- Deep, active relationships across the live music industry.
- Strong experience in curating and delivering commercially successful live programmes.
- A clear understanding of the live music landscape, including emerging trends and talent.
- Commercial instinct, with the ability to balance creativity and performance.
- Confidence operating in high-profile, fast-paced environments.
- Strong collaboration skills and ability to work cross-functionally.
- A proactive, ideas-led mindset with the confidence to challenge and evolve thinking.
- Leadership presence and the ability to inspire.
Head of Music - London employer: KOKO
Contact Detail:
KOKO Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Music - London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks at gigs, festivals, and events. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm for live music shine through. Share your ideas on how you’d elevate their programming and make it stand out.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to venues or companies you admire and pitch your vision for their live music strategy. You never know what might come of it!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. Tailor your application to highlight your unique skills and experiences that align with the role, and don’t forget to follow up after applying!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Music - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Music: When you're writing your application, let your love for live music shine through! Share your experiences and what drives you in the industry. We want to see that spark that makes you a perfect fit for KOKO.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific role of Head of Music. Highlight your relevant experience and how it aligns with KOKO's vision. We appreciate when candidates take the time to connect their skills with our needs.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. We love a well-organised application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and ideas.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised on our end.
How to prepare for a job interview at KOKO
✨Know Your Music Scene
Dive deep into the current live music landscape, especially in London. Familiarise yourself with emerging trends, key players, and KOKO's unique position in the market. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your understanding of the role and how you can contribute to shaping a culturally relevant programme.
✨Showcase Your Creative Vision
Prepare to discuss your ideas for innovative programming concepts and artist collaborations. Think about how you can elevate KOKO's offerings beyond traditional live bookings. Be ready to share examples from your past experiences that highlight your ability to balance creativity with commercial success.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be prepared to talk about how you would approach the commercial performance of live programming. Discuss your experience with budgeting, P&L oversight, and how you've driven revenue through ticketed events and partnerships. Show them you can think strategically while being hands-on.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your existing relationships within the live music industry. Talk about how you've successfully collaborated with agents, managers, and artists in the past. Emphasise your ability to build strong partnerships that enhance audience experience and drive commercial performance.