Vice-Principal and Director of Music

A global leader in creative and professional practice, we promote innovation, experimentation and research, and are also one of the UK’s leading providers of lifelong learning in the performing arts, offering inspiring training for children, young people, adult learners, and creative and business professionals.

The Vice Principal & Director of Music’s primary responsibility is to oversee the delivery of performing arts training across the Music Department for our world-leading Bachelor and Masters-level degree-bearing programmes. The role is responsible for 12 departments within the Music faculty, sharing line management with the Deputy Director of Music: Strings; Wind Brass & Percussion; Keyboard; Vocal Studies; Jazz; Opera Studies; Electronic & Produced Music; Historical Performance; Music Therapy; Composition; Academic Studies; and Music Administration. The Vice Principal & Director of Music is responsible for maintaining the department’s prestigious industry partnerships, including those with the Barbican Centre, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Opera House, as well as its recruitment of talented students from across the world, joining audition tours in North America, China, Hong Kong and Japan each year. The role also has oversight of our public concert series, including major events in Milton Court Concert Hall, a state-of-the-art 600 seat venue, in collaboration with the Barbican.

In addition, as a member of both the Executive Team and the Senior Management Team, the Vice Principal & Director of Music will play a major strategic role in delivering the School’s new and ambitious strategic and business plan, under the leadership of new Principal, Professor Jonathan Vaughan.

We are seeking an inspiring, highly motivated professional with a track record of success as a performing artist. They will also need to have significant higher education experience at a senior level, with a full understanding of the UK regulatory and quality frameworks for degree-bearing programmes. They should be a creative problem solver with a collegiate style of management and the ability to provide advice and guidance to all those supporting the higher education student journey. An active listener who considers a wide range of views, they will be capable of assimilating complex situations to produce objective, well informed and effective decision making.

The role requires impeccable diplomacy skills, as well as the highest level of artistic leadership and a firm adherence to policy and process within the management of higher education programmes. The successful candidate must be committed to the values and vision of the School, including sharing our commitment of making our institution inclusive for everyone, and will be expected to actively support our Access & Participation and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion strategies.

Alternatively, please contact the Corporate Recruitment Unit on 020 7332 3978 (24hr answerphone) quoting OOGS9023. A minicom service for the hearing impaired is available on 020 7332 3732.

Closing date for applications is 17th February 2023, 12 noon.

Interviews will take place w/c commencing 27th February 2023.

All applications must include a completed application form.  Please note that late applications will not be accepted.

Guildhall School of Music & Drama encourages applications from the widest possible range of people and is particularly keen to encourage interest from women, people with disabilities and/or individuals from Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse communities who are currently under-represented at this level in the organisation.

Guildhall School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

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