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- Tasks: Lead KOKO's live music programme, shaping creative and commercial direction.
- Company: KOKO, a vibrant hub for live music in London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for creativity.
- Other info: Join a passionate team and enjoy flexible working hours.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on London's live music scene 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 meet people in the live music scene. Attend gigs, industry events, and festivals to build those all-important relationships. Remember, it’s not just about who you know, but who knows you!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! When you’re chatting with potential employers or collaborators, don’t hold back on sharing your innovative ideas for live programming. They want to see your vision and how you can elevate their brand.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay ahead of the game! Keep an eye on emerging trends and talent in the live music industry. This knowledge will not only impress potential employers but also help you identify unique opportunities that align with KOKO's vision.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you nail that interview. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team. Let’s make some magic happen together!
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 you’re not just qualified, but genuinely excited about shaping KOKO's live music programme.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Head of Music role. Highlight your relevant experience in curating live programmes and your understanding of the current music landscape. 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 to describe your achievements and how they relate to the role. We love a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your potential impact at KOKO.
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 shows you’re keen on joining our team at KOKO!
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 on the Spot
Since this role involves collaboration with various stakeholders, be ready to discuss how you build and maintain relationships within the industry. Share specific examples of how you've successfully worked with agents, artists, and marketing teams to create memorable live experiences.