Assistant Orchestra Manager

Royal Academy Of Dance; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent music organization in Gateshead is seeking an Assistant Orchestra Manager to coordinate logistics for the orchestra. Responsibilities include engaging freelance musicians and assisting with personnel management. A clean UK Driver’s Licence is essential, along with proficiency in Microsoft systems. This role involves variable hours and requires a flexible schedule, accommodating evening and weekend work.

Benefits

Opportunities for personal development

Inclusive working environment

Qualifications

• Must hold a clean UK Driver’s Licence and be confident in driving larger vehicles.
• Proficient in Microsoft systems and willing to learn Arts Vision software.
• Experience related to classical music is desirable but not mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Engage freelance string players with the Senior Orchestra and Personnel Manager.
• Assist with orchestra personnel administration and recruitment.
• Coordinate travel and accommodation bookings for auditions.
• Ensure stages are set up correctly for rehearsals and performances.
• Maintain relationships with musicians and guest artists.

Skills

Microsoft systems proficiency

Strong organizational abilities

Clean UK Driver’s Licence

Ability to learn on the job

Tools

Arts Vision

Job description

Overview

Deadline for applications: Friday 17th October 2025, 5pm
Reports to: Senior Orchestra and Personnel Manager
Location: The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, with a requirement to work at external venues both within the UK and abroad
Working hours: 40 hours per week (variable hours, evening and weekend working required)
Salary: £26,141 per annum, SCP 21

About The Glasshouse International Centre for Music

We’re a place where you can hear rock legends or pop icons on the same night as folk trios or opera singers. Where new musicians are nurtured and showcased on the same stages as platinum selling performers. And where youth choirs and tambourine shaking toddlers practice in the same spaces as our acclaimed orchestra Royal Northern Sinfonia.

Whether you’re front of house, waiting in the wings or keeping things running behind the scenes you will be part of a team that means 2 million people enjoy top notch gigs, concerts and classes in our own venue at Gateshead Quays, out in communities across the North East and through live streamed performances and digital lessons.

About you

Are you self-motivated, happy working in a team environment and flexible enough to adapt to a changing environment? If this sounds like you, read on to find out how you can hit the ground running.

Reporting to the Senior Orchestra and Personnel Manager, the Assistant Orchestra Manager is a member of the orchestral management team and part of the wider Classical Team at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music.

You will support the Senior Orchestra and Personnel Manager and the Stage and Transport Coordinator, with all 3 roles looking after the administration, logistics and stage management requirements for all Royal Northern Sinfonia (RNS) activity both at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music and at external venues.

The post is based at The Glasshouse but you will be required to work at external venues both within the UK and abroad.

Your duties will be based around the orchestra’s schedule with variable working hours including evenings and weekends. The orchestra schedule is normally confirmed a minimum of 4 weeks in advance.

It would be great if you had experience in…

The ideal candidate will be proficient in Microsoft systems and demonstrate a willingness to be trained on Arts Vision, our orchestral database software. You must hold a clean UK Driver’s Licence and be confident in driving larger vehicles. Training can be provided if needed.

It also helps if you have…

Whilst a knowledge of Classical music is desirable, we are looking for someone with a can-do attitude and a willingness to learn on the job.

You’ll be responsible for:

• In conjunction with the Senior Orchestra and Personnel Manager, to engage freelance string players and deputies working with RNS.
• Assist the Senior Orchestra and Personnel Manager with orchestra personnel administration and orchestra recruitment and assist in the booking of all accommodation and travel for auditions.
• Coordinate the creation of purchase orders and invoicing and handle the reporting of credit card expenditure.
• In conjunction with the Stage and Transport Coordinator, ensure stages at rehearsal and performance venues are correctly laid out to meet the requirements of the orchestra and conductors and that all arrangements are in place before the arrival of the orchestra and guest artists.
• Maintain excellent relationships with the musicians and guest artists and work proactively to respond to any requests or issues.
• Check dressing room allocations, put up signage and ensure rooms are clean and tidy prior to the arrival of the orchestra and guest artists.
• Ensure refreshments for musicians and guest artists are in place as required.
• Assist the Stage and Transport Coordinator with the transportation of all instruments and equipment to venues regionally, nationally, and abroad including driving the orchestra van.
• Provide support for the orchestra Librarian with copying and distributing orchestral music to players and other library duties as and when required.
• Provide logistical support to the RNS Chorus Manager as and when required.
• Assist the wider Classical Team with administration and concert management tasks, as and when required.

Health & Safety

• Work with the Senior Orchestra and Personnel Manager and Stage and Transport Coordinator to ensure that all Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Wellbeing legislation and guidelines are followed (including Noise at Work Regulations), and stay up-to-date on evolving practice and legislation in these areas.

General

• Deputise for the Senior Orchestra and Personnel Manager if required.
• Undertake some of the work of the Stage and Transport Coordinator if required, to cover absence and annual leave.
• Act as an ambassador for The Glasshouse and Royal Northern Sinfonia, maintaining excellent relations with external promoters, venues and other departments within The Glasshouse.

This post is offered on a 40 hour per week contract and will require extremely variable hours, which are determined by the orchestra schedule. Further details on this can be given if required.

Our commitment to your development

At The Glasshouse, we’re always learning. And we know that when it comes to training, everyone is different. So, you’ll work closely with your manager to identify what your training journey will look like. If you have a specific interest or you would like to develop your skills in a certain area, we want to hear about it.

This may be through gaining a qualification, on-the-job training or learning within your team, but whatever path you take, through training and support, we’ll help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to thrive in your role.

Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion

At The Glasshouse, we encourage a working environment that’s welcoming, inclusive, and diverse. Different backgrounds, views and experiences are valued so everyone can be themselves.

Our venue and programmes are for everyone, so we want to make sure this opportunity is available to everyone, no matter your background or the challenges you’ve faced.

For example, we would love to hear from you if you:

• Are D/deaf. Have a disability, learning difficulty or significant long -term health condition which affects your daily life
• Describe yourself as neurodiverse (this might include dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADHD, autistic spectrum, and others)
• Grew up in a family receiving Universal Credit or state benefits
• Have ever lived in council or social housing or been on the housing register
• Have ever lived in sheltered accommodation or experienced homelessness
• Experienced being in care at any point in your life
• Have been a refugee or asylum seeker
• Are from the African, South, East and South–East Asian, Middle East, Latinx or North African diaspora, or have experienced racism
• These are some common examples of challenging circumstances but there may be others. Everyone is welcome to apply.
• We do not discriminate because of race, colour, religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or expression, age, disability or any other protected characteristic as outlined in the Equality Act 2010.

Safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expect all of those that work with us to share this commitment. We operate a robust safeguarding framework and continuous assessment and development to support safer working practice across our workforce. Our roles are subject to a safer recruitment process which includes relevant background checks and the disclosure of criminal records, sanctions, and investigations where appropriate.

Right to Work

We welcome applications from candidates already eligible to work in the UK or those that can apply for a visa granting permission to work in the UK (e.g. dependent visas, ancestry etc.) that do not require sponsorship. You will be asked to share proof of this prior to receiving any offer of employment.

Closing date for applications: Friday 17th October 2025, 5pm

Interview date: Monday 27th October 2025

We understand that interviews can be a nerve-racking experience. We want you to feel comfortable so you can be yourself and shine, so if you have any questions about the application process, please contact Isabella, People Coordinator at theglasshouseicm.org email address.

If you would like to discuss the position, we would love to hear from you. Please contact the Senior Orchestra and Personnel Manager, Tom Hickman on [e-mail]