Talent Development and Jazz Programme Manager

Job Description

Serious – Overview

Serious is one of the UK’s leading producers of live jazz, international and contemporary music events. Working with artists and partners from all over the world, we create world-class concerts, tours and special events including the EFG London Jazz Festival, the UK’s largest annual celebration of jazz.Widely acknowledged for delivering world-class artists and emerging stars, the Festival continues to take jazz to a massive audience, in one of UK's landmark music events.

The Talent Development Programme

Talent development is a central strand of Serious’s artistic programme, with a world-renowed scheme that enables artists from a range of genres to reach their full potential. Our innovative programme Seriously Talented draws together a suite of initiatives which for the last ten years have supported a range of artists to develop and build their careers and get their music out into the world. For further details on our programme and each Talent Development initiative please see our website

Main responsibilities

  • Manage, develop, deliver and act as primary contact point forSerious’s Talent Development programmes - specifically, but not confined to, Take Five, Move On Up, Air Time and Giant Steps
  • Undertake the administration of the work connected to the Seriously Talented programme
  • Work with the Directors of Serious to:
  • Integrate the outcomes of the Talent Development programmes across the full range of Serious activity as appropriate
  • Support the programming and delivery of the Jazz element of Serious’s national touring and concert activity through the year
  • Support the programming and delivery of Serious’sJazz programming input for those events where Serious acts as curator and/or consultant (from summer 2018 onwards)
  • Support the programming and delivery of the EFG London Jazz Festival in all its forms during 2018 and beyond
  • Maintain strong commercial and artistic relationships with all contacts in the music industry - to include festivals, venues, funders, agents, managers, record companies and artists - especially in the UK, but also internationally
  • To act as an ambassador for Serious and act in the best interests of Serious and for the development of all its programmes
  • Where appropriate, to attend relevant industry conferences and showcases
  • Ensure that other teams in Serious, including Communications, Development, Learning & Participation, Production, and Finance are fully briefed on a regular basis around the work of the role
  • To assist the Directors and the Senior team in:
  • effective collation of appropriate statistical and evaluativeinformation in relation to the Talent Development and Jazz Programming area for Arts Council England reports, and other Funders’ reports as appropriate
  • writing copy for reports, applications, tenders and other documents where input is required from the Talent Development and Jazz Programming areas
  • Undertake any other duties or projects that may be reasonably required by Serious Directors

Professional skills and attributes

  • Excellent working knowledge of jazz and contemporary music in the UK
  • Minimum of three years experience working in music
  • Strong writing and communication skills
  • Highly organised and efficient with strong administrative skills
  • The ability to prioritise own workload and handle a number of projects at any one time
  • Good project/event management and planning skillsand the ability to deliver against deadlines
  • Strong interpersonal skills – including negotiation and influencing, team communication and establishing and building positive working relationships internally and externally

Other information:

Salary: c. £28,000 per annum, dependent on experience. This is a permanent post.

Holiday entitlement is 25 days’ paid holiday per year, inclusive of 5 days which must be taken during the Serious office closure period for Christmas and New Year (the 5 days are over and above any public holidays in the Christmas and New Year period).

The post will be based at Serious’ office in Clerkenwell, London. Office hours of work are usually 9.30am to 6pm, but because of the nature of the organisation, the role would be expected to undertake some additional evening and weekend work.

Serious is committed to equal opportunities in recruitment and employment, and embraces diversity of all kinds.

If you would like to apply please complete the attached application form and email to by Friday 4 August 2017

Recruitment Schedule

From 14 July / Job information available on Serious’ website
Friday 4 August (5pm) / Deadline for receipt of initial applications
w/c 14 August – dates tbc / First round interviews held in Serious office – please advise if there are dates you are unable to do