Programme Coordinator

ABO; Saffron Walden; Remote; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Saffron Music Trust, based at Saffron Hall in Essex, seeks a proactive Programme Coordinator to support the artistic planning team. You will help programme world-class performances, manage hall rentals, and coordinate learning/participation projects across Essex.

You will be the main point of contact within the department, ensuring smooth event delivery, accurate budgeting, and effective communication with internal teams and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Assist Programme Manager and Chief Executive with programming Saffron Hall and Saffron Music Trust activities, including Own Promotion concerts, Rentals and Learning/Participation events; be the main contact for the department with internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage artist bookings and requests for dates in collaboration with the Programme Manager.
• Draw up and issue contracts for all Saffron Music Trust events.
• Log date and programme information accurately into online systems.
• Oversee bookings for hires/recordings and fill available dates in the hall with Programme Manager.
• Work to integrate schools/community programmes with the public programme where possible.
• Be the main liaison between the Programme department and other internal departments to ensure smooth event delivery.
• Collaborate with Marketing to ensure events are billed and marketed correctly; provide publicity materials data and Box Office information.
• Manage Programme department tickets, including artists’ tickets; liaise with Fundraising to update sponsors/ supporters.
• Support Finance with budgeting and invoice processes; attend meetings and events to represent the Programme department.
• Assist the Chief Executive with general administration: schedule meetings, arrange travel/hotels, support Board meetings.
• Assist with general office management: answer phones, take bookings, and minute meetings.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role as required by a manager.

Job description

Saffron Music Trust (formerly Saffron Hall Trust) is a music and education charity working across Essex, bringing outstanding artists into schools and communities, supporting local music‑making and presenting high‑quality live music across the county. Our Associate Artists are The Sixteen, The London Philharmonic Orchestra, Aurora Orchestra, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Britten Sinfonia and Jess Gillam.

We are based at, and manage, Saffron Hall, one of the UK's leading concert venues, renowned for its exceptional acoustics, inspiring programme and warm welcome. Each year we present an outstanding programme of world‑class classical music alongside jazz, folk, contemporary music, comedy, talks and community events, welcoming internationally acclaimed artists and thousands of visitors from across the region and beyond.

Saffron Hall is part of Saffron Walden County High School, an innovative and inspiring partnership between culture and education. Saffron Hall has shown what can happen when world‑class artists are embedded in schools and community work. Now, through Saffron Music Trust, we are taking that ambition across Essex, creating opportunities to be inspired by, experience and participate in music, and bringing more live music to more people, in more places. In our first year out of the concert hall, over 3,000 Harlow residents enjoyed Sunday Night at the Musicals at their new bandstand; folk fans in Brentwood attended a folk club in their town for the first time in years; and from Clacton to Southend, over 2,000 primary school children from 27 schools experienced our in‑theatre concerts, while 38 in‑school workshops reached an estimated 4,000 more. This is just the start.

We are looking for an organised, proactive and passionate Programme Coordinator to join our friendly team. This is a varied role at the core of our artistic planning team. You will support the programming of world‑class concerts at Saffron Hall and across the region, manage hall rentals, support the Chief Executive, and act as a key point of contact both internally and externally to ensure the smooth delivery of events. If you thrive in a fast‑paced environment, take pride in meticulous planning and communication, and want to help bring an outstanding and varied programme of live music to audiences across Essex, we would love to hear from you.

Job Purpose

To work alongside the Programme Manager and Chief Executive to programme our series of world‑class performances, and community projects. You will be a key point of contact between the programme department and internal and external stakeholders, providing vital administrative support to ensure our ambitious activity across the venue and Essex is seamlessly coordinated.

Principal Accountabilities

1. Assist the Programme Manager and Chief Executive with all aspects of programming Saffron Hall and Saffron Music Trust’s activity including Own Promotion concerts, Rentals and Learning and Participation events and be a key point of contact for the department with internal and external stakeholders.
   • Work with the Programme Manager to manage artist bookings and requests for dates.
   • Draw up and issue contracts for all Saffron Music Trust events.
   • Ensure meticulous logging of date and programme information into online systems.
   • Oversee the booking process for hires and recordings and work with the Programme Manager to proactively fill available dates in the hall.
   • Work with the Programme Manager to utilise all possible opportunities for the integration of the schools and community programme with the public programme.
2. Be the main contact between the Programme department and other internal departments to ensure the smooth running of events.
   • Work with the Marketing department to ensure all events are appropriately and accurately billed and marketed.
   • Assist the Marketing department with accurate information for publicity material and Box Office.
   • Manage tickets for the Programme department, including artists' tickets.
   • Liaise with the Fundraising department to ensure accurate information and updates are given for sponsors and supporters.
   • Work with the Finance department to assist in the management of budgets and invoices.
3. Working with the Programme Manager, represent the Programme department at meetings and events.
   • Attend meetings with artists, hirers and community stakeholders to support or represent the Programme Manager.
   • Attend events at Saffron Hall and around Essex to represent the Programme department and support the Production team.
4. Assist the Chief Executive with general administration.
   • Schedule meetings and update diary.
   • Assist with travel and hotel arrangements.
   • Provide administrative support for Board meetings.
5. Assist with general office management and administration.
   • Answer phones and take ticket bookings.
   • Manage meetings and occasionally take minutes.
6. Undertake all other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the role and level of this job as may be instructed by a manager.

Contact details

[e-mail]

Related information

• Download Programme Coordinator Job Pack 1

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