ASSISTANT ORCHESTRA MANAGER, BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

BBC Symphony Orchestra

Grade 5D

(all overtime bought out / 3 months notice)

OVERVIEW OF THE ORCHESTRA

The BBC Symphony Orchestra is one of the UK’s leading orchestras. It has played a central role at the heart of British musical life for over 80 years and has a high profile both in the UK and on the international stage. The BBC SO has an outstanding reputation for its performances of a wide range of music with particular emphasis on 20th century and contemporary music; each year giving the world premieres of a number of works commissioned by BBC Radio 3.

As the flagship orchestra of the BBC, the BBC SO makes at least a dozen appearances each year at the BBC Proms, including the First and Last Nights. All BBC SO concerts are broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and a number are televised, giving it the highest broadcast profile of any UK orchestra.

The BBC SO gives frequent performances under its present Chief Conductor Sakari Oramo, Conductors Laureates, Jiri Belohlavek and Sir Andrew Davis, Semyon Bychkov, and Artist in Association Brett Dean. In addition the Orchestra performs regularly with many other international conductors and soloists. The BBC SO is Associate Orchestra of the Barbican in London and performs an annual concert season there of up to 25 concerts, including a number of concerts and events focusing on a single composer. Recent seasons have also seen the BBC SO embark upon a series of critically acclaimed performances of opera in concert. The BBC SO performs at a number of music festivals both in the UK and abroad, and undertakes regular major overseas tours.

Studio recordings play an important role in the Orchestra’s life, both for BBC Radio 3 and for commercial recording companies, whilst a strong commitment to community and outreach work involves the Orchestra in a number of adventurous learning projects working with schools and members of the local community

bbc.co.uk/symphonyorchestra

JOB SPECIFICATION

AIM OF THE JOB

  • To be responsible to the Orchestra Manager for the scheduling of the staff players, for the management of all contracts and personnel systems within the Orchestra and for ensuring that the required complement of musicians is provided for each session.
  • To work closely with other members of the Concerts Management Team to ensure the smooth running of each session, providing back-stage support at concerts and other events both in the UK and abroad.
  • To assist the Orchestra Manager with the day to day management of the Orchestra and with the line-management of the staff players.
  • To provide line-management support for the Orchestra and Tours Assistant

The Assistant Orchestra Manager is a key role within the department of the BBC SO. Reporting to the Orchestra Manager, the AOM will work as part of the Concert Management Team(Assistant Orchestra Manager, Concerts Manager, Stage & Transport Managers, Librarians and Orchestra and Tours Assistant) to ensure the smooth-running of all rehearsals, concerts, learning events and recording sessions in the UK and overseas. The Assistant Orchestra Manager will be responsible for the line-management of the Orchestra and Tours Assistant, including motivating, leading and supporting him/her in that role.

MAIN DUTIES

Freelance players
  • To establish the extras and deputies required for each session and to securethe best possible freelance players in a timely manner and with appropriate consultation, thus maintaining the artistic standard of the Orchestra.
  • To work closely with the Library to ensure that any changes of orchestration are acted on as soon as possible and that freelance players are accurately informed of all necessary details and of subsequent schedule or repertoire changes.
  • To book any additional players required to cover sickness. This will sometimes involve fixing during the evenings and at weekends to find players at very short notice.
  • To maintain current lists of freelance players engaged by the Orchestra, liaising with principals/co-principals, Chief Conductor and Orchestra Manager on the choice of freelance players as appropriate.
  • To take responsibility for the management of freelance players engaged by the Orchestra, with support from the Orchestra Manager as necessary
  • To co-ordinate trials and to ensure that players are booked appropriately, providing accurate lists of trialists to panel members and members of the Department.
Staff players
  • To schedule work and leave for staff players, including allocations of duties for principal and co-principal players and managing the various contracts and personnel systems which operate within the Orchestra. To consult the Orchestra Manager on matters of work scheduling when appropriate.
  • To manage & authorise leave requests, ensuring that all leave, sickness and work allocation records are maintained accurately and that replacement players are secured as necessary.
  • To ensure that all sick, parental, paternity and maternity leave is accurately reported to HR through the Contracts and Auditions Assistant.
  • To be reasonably accessible to players even on off-duty days in order to respond to emergencies and sickness problems thus ensuring the work of the Orchestra as a whole is not jeopardised unnecessarily.
  • To assist the Orchestra Manager in line managing the members of the Orchestra, including all disciplinary procedures, health & safety issues, welfare concerns and matters of individual dispute and conflict. To liaise with the Orchestra Manager and the General Manager on the interpretation of contractual matters governing the employment of orchestra staff.
  • To provide relevant players with accurate lists of duty allocations, trialists, short-string releases, string rotations etc, and to manage the systems for office and internal string releases .
Finance
  • To line-manage the Orchestra and Tours Assistant, ensuring that all necessary information is provided to draw up contracts and process payments for all freelance players in a timely manner.
  • To check and authorise all payments to freelance players
  • To ensure that any necessary extra salary payments and deductions are made in a timely manner.
  • To liaise with the Orchestra Manager over negotiation of any special fees required for staff or freelance players, and to handle these negotiations when required.
  • To be responsible for mitigating any unnecessary financial cost in relation to the scheduling of staff players and the contracting of freelance musicians.
Concert Management Team
  • Sharing duties with the Concerts Manager, to be responsible for running approximately 50% of rehearsals, studio and commercial recordings and concerts when required, providing backstage management and support and working with other members of the Concert Management Team to resolve on the spot difficulties.
  • To undertake approximately 50% of the UK and international touring schedule of the Orchestra by agreement with the Orchestra Manager and the Concerts Manager.
  • To share responsibility with the Concerts Manager for the care and hospitality of staff and guest conductors, soloists and composers, ensuring that individuals are looked after at all times and that the best possible service is provided by CMT in meeting individual requirements. To maintain best possible relations with all visiting conductors, artists and promoters.
  • To provide accurate lists of players & string rotations for each session
  • To organize seating for pieces with unusual seating requirements, liaising with the library and with section principals
  • To adhere to the current dress codes for concert duties.

Other

  • To maintain appropriate and positive professional working relationships with players, visiting artists and management colleagues and to have due regard for maintaining confidentiality when necessary
  • To maintain a good relationship with the MU Steward; liaising with him/her on all appropriate matters.
  • To act as a representative of the BBC SO, deputising for the Orchestra Manager as required.
  • To be actively involved in the development of the new personnel/fixing elements of OPAS
  • To contribute to regular meetings with the Orchestra Players Committee as required.
  • To sit on audition and recruitment panels as required, liaising with the Orchestra Manager on all recruitment matters.
  • To be aware of BBC and other legislation regarding Health and Safety issues and to ensure the practical implementation of any necessary measures takes place.
  • To effectively manage the AOM workload in order to maintain a reasonable work-life balance
  • To act as a role model for the BBC Values
  • To comply with the BBC’s policies on Diversity and to apply the principles of the policy when carrying out the role.

(A job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Required

  • A strong desire to work in the professional orchestral environment
  • Significant proven experience as an orchestral fixer in a professional environment
  • Previous experience of managing concerts and recording sessions
  • Previous experience of reading, understanding and interpreting orchestrations
  • Knowledge of orchestral contracts, agreements and working practices
  • Knowledge and experience of the professional freelance orchestral environment.
  • A commitment to working irregular and unsocial hours
  • A strong practical musical education and background, preferably including experience of playing an instrument in an orchestral environment.
  • The ability to read between the lines and to make good decisions under pressure
  • The ability to assess the standard of individual players
  • The ability to work effectively as part of a small, dedicated team
  • The ability to consult and to self-manage; to work accurately and to deadlines, with good attention to detail.
  • The ability to engage with the development and introduction of new IT packages.
  • Excellent IT, verbal & written communication skills with a good level of numeracy and reasonable mathematical ability
  • Experience of resolving difficult situations through negotiation
  • A professional approach to work characterised by commitment, high energy, flexibility and a high level of self-motivation
  • Patience, resilience, empathy, stamina and humour

Desirable

  • Considerable experience of working in the management of a professional Orchestra.
  • A good knowledge of and interest in contemporary orchestral repertoire
  • Familiarity with OPAS
  • A working knowledge of one or more European languages would be an advantage
  • A good working knowledge of MU Orchestral Agreements
  • An awareness of the current issues surrounding noise levels in Orchestras.
  • Experience of line management
  • A current First Aid at Work qualification or the willingness to undertake training

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Competencies

The following competencies (behaviours and characteristics) have been identified as key to success in the job. Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate these competencies.

Communication - able to express ideas clearly and adapt communication style to the needs of others by using a range of styles and approaches appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information. The ability to understand the effect on others of one’s own personal style of communication.

Decision Making - is ready and able to take initiative, originate action and be responsible for the consequences of decisions.

Flexibility - adapts and works effectively with a variety of situations, individuals or groups. Able to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue, to adapt an approach as the requirements of a situation change, and to change or easily accept changes in one's own organisation or job requirements.

Managing relationships and team working - able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people. Work co-operatively with others to be part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively.

Planning and Organising - able to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resource requirements.

Resilience - manages personal effectiveness by managing emotions in the face of pressure, set backs or when dealing with provocative situations. Demonstrates an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy.

Understanding Diversity - understands and appreciates the uniqueness of self and others. Demonstrates, and is committed to improving and understanding diversity. Able to articulate how individual differences can benefit the BBC.