Emerging Musicians Programme Manager (Part-Time)

We're looking for a highly motivated and collaborative Emerging Musicians Programme Manager with experience of managing projects in the arts and working with early-career and/or young musicians. In this exciting role, you will lead the development and delivery of NCEM’s National and International projects supporting emerging musicians, alongside our creative learning projects with young people across York and the East Riding of Yorkshire. You will bring excellent project management, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with young people, musicians and partner organisations. You will be confident working independently, taking initiative and managing your own workload, with strong organisational skills and an eye for detail to ensure the smooth and effective delivery of projects, including the associated administrative tasks.

Passionate about widening access to creative opportunities and careers in music, you will play an important role in an organisation with the development of musicians at its heart. Working closely with the Artistic Director and Executive Director, you will help ensure that our work with emerging and young musicians is of the highest quality and contributes to NCEM’s wider artistic vision.  You will be an important member of NCEM’s highly professional and committed team, working collaboratively with colleagues while taking individual responsibility for your projects. You will be supported by experienced project delivery colleagues and a dedicated Board of Trustees. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the development of musicians and the creation of inspiring musical opportunities for the next generation.

Key Elements of the Role:

Delivering the NCEM Emerging Musicians Development Schemes Nationally & Internationally, which includes:

• The NCEM Young Composers Award in partnership with BBC Radio 3
• New Commission Opportunities for NCEM Young Composers Alumni
• The York Early Music International Young Artists Competition
• NCEM's partnership with The Gesualdo 6 Emerging Ensembles Programme

Delivering the NCEM Creative Learning Programme Locally & Regionally, which includes:

• The Minster Minstrels, NCEM's youth baroque ensemble in partnership with York Music Education
• Composition workshops for York-based school-aged musicians
• Projects with our partner primary school of St Lawrences 
• Projects involving young people within or around NCEM's early music festivals, including NCEM's projects with the OAE Education Team.

The role will also involve understanding the context for emerging musicians, specifically in the early music sector, and working alongside NCEM Directors to develop our programmes to support their career pathways.  

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Educated to degree-level or equivalent experience
• Passion for improving access to careers in the creative sector
• Excellent spoken and written English
• Strong organisational and administrative skills, with a good eye for detail
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and a clear and confident communicator
• Ability to work well in collaboration with the NCEM team, as well as the ability to work independently
• Curiosity and drive to expand the reach and scope of the NCEM’s current work in collaboration with the NCEM Directors
• Authorised to live and work in the UK

Desirable Qualities & Experience:

• An understanding of historically informed performance practice/early music
• Experience working with early career musicians
• Experience running or participating in projects that aim to develop young musician’s skills and practices, and that seek to break down barriers to access
• Experience of, and success in, writing funding applications
• A clean UK driving licence

Key Details:

Contract:       Part time (equivalent to 4 days per week)
Salary:            Between £28,000 and £32,000 FTE, dependent upon experience,
Benefits:        5% employer pension contribution, 28 days holiday (pro-rata, inc bank holidays)
Location:        Predominantly from NCEM in York
Closing Date: Thursday 26th November 2026

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We aim to be inclusive and encourage applications from candidates with transferable skills and varied career backgrounds. We are also open to applications from individuals who may not meet every criterion but can demonstrate the potential to grow into aspects of the role.

If you would like to discuss the NCEM, the requirements of the role, or have any questions regarding a potential application, please contact Cherry Fricker at cherry.fricker@ncem.co.uk or on 01904 632220.

Creative Pathway (voluntary) 

As a participant in the NCEM Creative Pathway, you will play a key role in welcoming and supporting our audiences. You will gain first-hand experience assisting with front‑of‑house duties, helping to expand our reach to new communities, contributing to audience communications and supporting the delivery of high‑quality visitor experiences (while having the opportunity to attend lots of performances!).

We are looking for proactive, engaging individuals (aged between 18-25) who enjoy meeting new people and building positive relationships. As an ambassador for the NCEM, you will deliver excellent customer service and work closely with our friendly and experienced team to develop your communication, leadership and creative skills.

The NCEM Creative Pathway programme is designed for those aged 18-25 and runs over 2-3 years (depending on applicant availability). It will involve an induction, regular meetings as a creative group at least four times a year, alongside evening and weekend concert shifts.  Participants typically begin their placement in January and support a minimum of 10 events across the year, depending on the concert schedule and your availability.

Key Responsibilities:

Front-of-House Support:

• Welcome visitors and create a positive first impression
• Check tickets and assist audience members to their seats
• Manage sales of artist merchandise, including cash handling and end‑of‑event cashing‑up
• Support the Duty Manager during emergency situations and venue evacuations
• Maintain awareness of health, safety and wellbeing for audiences, performers, volunteers and staff

Audience Development & Communication:

• Work collaboratively with staff and artists to help increase engagement with our communities and new audiences
• Support social media activity by assisting with photos, content ideas and event promotion
• Contribute ideas to help improve audience experience and enhance NCEM’s public profile

What we expect from you:

• A friendly, outgoing and reliable team member
• Good time‑management and patience when working in a busy environment
• Confidence communicating with people at all levels
• Understanding and sensitivity to the needs of performers and audiences
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and respond appropriately to unexpected issues
• Willingness to follow guidance and refer concerns to NCEM staff when needed
• Some cash‑handling experience
• Fluency in English

What we offer you:

• Hands‑on experience within a thriving arts organisation and internationally recognised festivals
• Opportunities to develop skills, contribute creative ideas and make a visible impact
• A supportive, welcoming team environment in a unique historic venue
• Training and ongoing mentorship through the duration of the programme
• Career guidance and future references
• Free entry to performances (subject to availability)

Events Assistants (casual) 

We are looking for dynamic and professional individuals to join our team of casual events staff working at weddings, conferences, concerts and other events that we present at NCEM. This role is ideal for students and those seeking fun and flexible work.

Key Responsibilities:

Bar work for weddings, parties and concerts:

• Serving customers at the bar (including cash/card handling)
• Pouring and serving reception drinks amongst guests
• Collecting and cleaning glasses during events
• Restocking shelves and fridges
• Setting up and clearing away before and after events

Conference/meeting work:

• Serving tea/coffee refreshments to delegates
• Greeting and welcoming delegates
• Assisting in the setup of technical facilities as required

Setting up for events:

• Setting out seating/tables
• Assembling/disassembling staging
• General housekeeping, tidying and preparing the venue for events

What we expect from you:

• Punctual, reliable and hard-working
• Able to work well alongside others
• Positive work ethic and genuine enthusiasm for providing excellent customer service
• Smart appearance and presentation
• Hands-on and pro-active attitude
• Confident communicator
• Previous experience working in a customer facing and/or hospitality role
• Excellent attention to detail
• Over the age of 18 with the right to live and work in the UK
• Availability during university holidays

What we offer you:

• This role is paid at the national minimum wage
• This is a zero hours contract. Shifts are allocated based on your availability and will comprise a combination of midweek shifts for conferences (daytime) and concerts (usually evenings), and weekends for wedding receptions and parties
• NCEM will provide appropriate training, which is paid at the national minimum wage
• Development opportunities to progress to a casual Bar Team Leader role, operating surtitles for concerts and providing audio/visual support for conferences are also available

How to Apply

For more information or to ask questions about the roles, please contact Dr Christopher Roberts, Operations Manager on 01904 632220 or email events@ncem.co.uk.

Please submit a CV and covering letter or a video/audio recording explaining how you meet the personal specification, including relevant experience and details of two referees.  Please complete the equal opportunities monitoring form below on application (optional).  Applications can be sent by email to events@ncem.co.uk or by post to National Centre for Early Music, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York, YO1 9TL. 

We welcome applications from those who are under-represented in the sector, including but not limited to those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, deaf and disabled people, and candidates from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse communities. For full details of the NCEM’s accessibility please read www.ncem.co.uk/accessibility/.

If your application is shortlisted, we would invite you to an interview at the NCEM to meet you and discuss your skills and experience.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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