Orchestra Librarian

Job Closing Date: 10th July 2026

Cardiff, GBR, CF10 5AL

JOB DETAILS

JOB BAND: B

CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed-term Contract, Full-time until June 2027

DEPARTMENT: BBC NOW

LOCATION: Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff

PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £28,000 - £31,000 per annum depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

We're happy to discuss flexible working. If you'd like to, please indicate your preference in the application – though there's no obligation to do so now. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

This role works closely with the rest of the orchestra management team to drive a vision for the orchestra as a key cultural and artistic asset for the country of Wales alongside its existing commitment to providing outstanding content for BBC broadcast, primarily on BBC Radio 3.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

The BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales occupies a special role as both a BBC broadcast orchestra and the national symphony orchestra of Wales. The Orchestra is generously supported by the Arts Council of Wales and is proud to work with an outstanding group of conductors.

As one of the six BBC Orchestras and Choirs, the Orchestra has a busy schedule of recordings, broadcasts and concerts for BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Films and BBC television. Education is also at the heart of our work, developing innovative projects to increase accessibility to classical music and engaging with communities across Wales.

In this role, you will source, prepare, and manage printed music for the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales, ensuring timely, cost-effective provision of accurate, high-quality materials that comply with copyright law and maintaining accurate records of the arrival and return of all materials. Responsibilities include checking and marking parts with input from conductors and musicians, responding to requests, preparing and distributing music for rehearsals and performances, maintaining and cataloguing the library, and supporting auditions. You will also manage hire budgets, provide orchestrations, and collaborate closely with colleagues, players, and freelancers while attending events to distribute and collect music.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Proven music knowledge and literacy
• Ability to provide detailed interpretation of scorings and orchestrations
• Very fine attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records
• Experience and competency in using music notation to manually amend parts where necessary
• Ability to work on your own initiative as well as part of a team
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines

DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED:

• Experience and competency in using music notation software
• An understanding of copyright legislation as it pertains to music
• Experience of working in a Music Library
• Ability to undertake basic arranging and orchestrating tasks – for example expanding a short score

If you can bring some of these skills and experience, along with transferable strengths, we’d love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.

Disclaimer

This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.

Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Recruitment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.

For any general queries, please contact: ***email_hidden***

We are unable to accept applications via CV and only applications made online will be considered. Please click on the APPLY NOW button to proceed with your application.

Redeployment

The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC and they will be given priority consideration ahead of other applicants. Priority consideration means for those employees seeking redeployment their application will be considered alongside anyone else at risk of redundancy, prior to any individuals being considered who are not at risk.