BSO Assistant Orchestra Manager

ABO; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra seeks an Assistant Orchestra Manager to work with the Orchestra Manager in coordinating contracted and freelance musicians across concerts, rehearsals and recording sessions from large symphonic programs to school concerts across the South and UK.

You will engage freelance musicians, handle scheduling and payments, deputise for the Orchestra Manager, and ensure safe, well-run performances with venue and HR teams.

Qualifications

• Experience with a professional orchestra or performing arts organisation.
• Strong knowledge of orchestral repertoire.
• Excellent communication, patience and empathy.
• Ability to stay calm under pressure and manage priorities.
• Confident written and spoken communication with diverse people.
• Excellent computer/digital skills.
• Full UK driving licence and ability to drive company cars.

Responsibilities

• Engage freelance musicians in consultation with the Orchestra Manager and principals.
• Be the first point of contact for contract and freelance musicians and be on call for short notice fixing.
• Ensure continuous orchestra management cover and allow time off from fixing.
• Attend and ensure smooth running of orchestra calls.
• Calculate payments for freelance players weekly and provide payment information to Finance.
• Fixing and concert duties for smaller ensemble concerts with Participation Department.
• Deputise for the Orchestra Manager and book freelancers to cover sickness.
• Manage start and running of concerts independently (concert duties shared).
• Coordinate digital concerts with producer, presenter, FOH, digital team and stage managers.
• Assist conductors and soloists during rehearsals and concerts; communicate rehearsal plans.
• Work with stage managers and venue staff to relay issues promptly.
• Assist with stage moves during rehearsals/concerts and transport small equipment.
• Assist with fixing lists and freelance personnel administration; budgeting of freelance costs.
• Carry out right to work checks; attend Planning meetings; use OPAS to monitor attendance.
• Comply with BSO policies and MU agreements.

Skills

Orchestra management

Rehearsal coordination

Communication skills

Calm under pressure

Time management

Driver license

Budgeting support

Tools

OPAS

Job description

Role summary

Working closely with the Orchestra Manager, the Assistant Orchestra Manager will assist in the management of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s contracted and freelance musicians. You will also be ensuring the smooth running some of BSO’s busy schedule of concerts, rehearsals and recording sessions ranging from large symphonic, BSO Pops’, and chamber concerts to concerts in schools and in local communities; across the South and Southwest and UK.

Key relationships

BSO Concerts Team, Orchestral musicians, conductors and soloists, backstage staff at performance venues, BSO Participate Team, Head of Human Resources

Main responsibilities

• Engage freelance musicians in consultation with the Orchestra Manager and orchestra principals.
• Alongside the Orchestra Manager, be the first point of contact for contract and freelance musicians, including being on call for short notice fixing.
• Work closely with the orchestra manager to ensure continuous orchestra management cover, including covering periods to enable each other to have quality time off from the fixing mobile phones.
• Attend and ensure the smooth running of orchestra calls.
• Calculate payments for freelance players on a weekly basis, providing payment information to the Finance Department.
• Particular responsibility for fixing and concert duty for smaller ensemble concerts, working closely with the BSO’s Participation Department.
• Deputise for the Orchestra Manager. This could involve booking freelancers to cover sickness and taking a leading role within the team at rehearsals and concerts when problems arise.

Further responsibilities

Rehearsal and Concert Duties

• Regularly manage the start and running of concerts independently (concert duties are shared with the Orchestra Manager).
• For BSO’s digital concerts coordinate with the producer, presenter, front of house staff, digital team and stage managers to ensure a great concert experience both in the hall and online.
• Assist conductors and soloists during rehearsals and concerts. Discuss rehearsal orders with conductors and efficiently communicate rehearsal plans to the orchestra.
• Work closely with stage managers and local venue staff to communicate issues promptly and efficiently.
• Occasionally, assist the stage managers with stage moves during rehearsals and concerts.
• When required, transport small amounts of equipment (music stands, cushions, etc.) for smaller ensemble concerts.

Administration

• Assist the Orchestra Manager and section principals in devising and maintaining fixing lists.
• Assist with freelance personnel administration such as sending schedules and responding to queries.
• Assist the Orchestra Manager with the administration of contract players, such as managing leave requests and checking sitting-up forms.
• Assist the Orchestra Manager with annual budgeting of freelance costs.
• Carry out right to work checks on freelance musicians.
• Attend Operational Planning meetings.
• Use the BSO’s data management system, Orchestra Planning and Administration System (OPAS), to monitor orchestra attendance.
• Operate with full regard for BSO company policy and the BSO/MU agreements.

Health and Safety

• Have responsibility for carrying out venue risk assessments at rehearsal and concert venues and ensure that they are regularly updated.
• With guidance from the Orchestra Manager and in conjunction with the Stage Managers, manage situations when issues (both health and safety and artistic) arise in rehearsals and concerts and help bring all parties to an amicable and safe solution.
• Work with the Head of Human Resources who offers both orchestra managers support on personnel matters and health and safety.
• Attend and contribute to regular Health and Safety Committee and Noise Committee meetings.

General

• Be of smart appearance at concerts (as defined by the Orchestra Manager).
• Undertake any other appropriate duties as may be required.

3 Person Specification

Required Experience and Skills

• Experience of working with a professional orchestra or in a creative/performing arts organisation (desirable)
• Good knowledge of orchestral repertoire
• Consistent accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills, patience and empathy are required, as is a sense of humour
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and manage conflicting priorities
• Confident written and spoken communicator with a range of people and personalities
• Excellent computer/digital skills
• Confident driver, to be able to drive yourself in the company estate cars to and from concerts in our out-of-town venues.

Personal Attributes

• Hardworking with an enthusiasm for working with music and with people
• Confident working independently and taking charge to manage difficult situations
• Proven organisational skills with an ability to prioritise workload
• Able to work flexibly and responsively in live situations

General

• Availability and willingness to work weekends and evenings
• Current clean UK drivers licence

Related information

• Download Job Pack Assistant Orchestra Manager Oct 2026

The next ABO conference will take place in Birmingham from 3-5 February 2027 .