Cambridge University Musical Society
Appointment of Executive Director
The Cambridge University Musical Society is seeking to appoint an Executive Director to
lead it in its mission to provide a world-class extra-curricular musical education for
Cambridge students.
This part-time post (2, 2.5 or perhaps 3 days per week) offers an exceptional opportunity for
an outstanding candidate to lead one of the world’s oldest and most distinguished university
musical societies, building on Cambridge’s enviable reputation for musical excellence and
playing a critical role in shaping the future of musical performance at the university.
This is new position (the Society has until now been led by a volunteer executive Chairman)
that reflects the growing professionalism, complexity and ambitions of the Society, as well as
the importance of extra-curricular musical programmes for students studying at the
University of Cambridge.
About the Cambridge University Musical Society
The Cambridge University Musical Society has played a pivotal role in British musical life for
170 years. It has launched the careers of Sir Andrew Davis, Sir Mark Elder, Sir John Eliot
Gardiner, Edward Gardner, Robin Ticciati and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Its principal
conductors have included Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, Sir David Willcocks and Sir Philip
Ledger. Benjamin Britten was a regular conductor for many years, and the Society has
exposed successive generations of Cambridge students to visiting artists including Bruch,
Dvorak, Grieg, Menuhin, Rostropovich and Tchaikovsky.
Today the Society delivers a world-class extra-curricular musical education for over 500
students each year through four orchestras, three choirs, a chamber music programme and
conducting, composition and concerto competitions. It enjoys active support from a roster of
regular conductors including Stephen Cleobury, Sir Roger Norrington and Martin Yates, and
in the last three years has also worked with the likes of Sir Richard Armstrong, Sir Mark
Elder, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and Bryn Terfel.
The Society has recently been reconstituted as an independent registered charity
(no.1149534). The board of trustees is chaired by Sir Keith Stuart. The Society receives no
core funding from the University of Cambridge, but enjoys financial support from a growing
family of donors and funders. There is significant scope to tap into latent support for
Cambridge music among the university’s 175,000 alumni.
The role
Reporting to the board, the principal responsibility of the Executive Director will be to lead
musical performance at Cambridge into the next stage of its development, working alongside
a range of key stakeholders including colleagues within the Faculty of Music, the Colleges,
and representatives of the student body.
The main roles will be:
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To take the lead role in planning and ensuring the success of the Society’s annual
programme of ‘showcase’ events in both Cambridge and London
To take a lead role in strengthening the Society’s longer term financial position
through active fund raising — engaging with existing supporters and funders as well
as identifying and working to develop long-term relationships with additional funders
whose support will allow the Society to achieve ambitious future plans
To nurture the Society’s relationships with all key stakeholders, including the
University of Cambridge, funders, the national and international musical community
and students
Together with the CUMS committee, to:
o Ensure that programming and concert planning are managed effectively and
that the high standards of artistic and musical integrity associated with the
Society are strengthened further across a range of performance activities,
thus offering students exceptional opportunities to develop their musical
performance skills across all levels
o Ensure that the administration, organisation and finances of the Society are
managed professionally and effectively
o Encourage ensemble tours and events outside of Cambridge, both in the UK
and abroad
To enhance further the profile of the Society within the University and externally,
promoting the importance of musical performance at Cambridge as a key extracurricular activity.
While there will be significant scope for the successful candidate to shape the nature of this
role, the day-to-day running of the Society will continue to be supported by three part-time
staff and a broad group of volunteers in order to enable him or her to focus on these key
areas of responsibility. Senior volunteer support will be on offer from the current vicechairman, Jo Whitehead.
This is a 3-year contract in the first instance, subject to the post-holder having satisfactorily
met mutually-agreed milestones by the time of annual reviews after years 1 and 2.
Remuneration will equate to a salary of approximately £40,000–£45,000 FTE.
The person
The role of Executive Director offers a tremendous opportunity for a self-motivated individual
to help shape the future of a centuries-old musical tradition at one of the world’s leading
universities.
Applicants from a wide range of educational and professional backgrounds would have the
capacity to succeed in this important role. However, the successful candidate is likely to
have a passion for music and a genuine belief in the value of a broad, extra-curricular
education.
In particular, the successful candidate will have a proven track record demonstrating that
they are:
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Capable of commanding respect as a lead ambassador for musical performance at
Cambridge within the collegiate university, within the music industry and among
donors and supporters, concertgoers, members of the public and current and
potential students:
o Credible in approaching and discussing programmes and contract terms with
the Society’s regular conductors and other leading musicians and agents
o Credible in engaging with senior members of the University, including heads
of houses, senior faculty members and senior university officers.
o Able to win the confidence and support of potential major donors and those
with access to major donors
A successful fundraiser with an entrepreneurial attitude to making things happen
without core (public) funding.
An experienced artistic planner, able to identify and assess the ideas of a range of
contacts and capitalise upon opportunities to develop a world-class programme of
educational and artistic activity within the University, suitable for, and appealing to,
the student members of the ensembles
It would be desirable if he or she was also:
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A strategic and creative thinker capable of shaping the future of musical performance
at Cambridge
Well-connected within the music industry and the arts more generally, both in the UK
and beyond
Experienced in working with students and other University personnel, in an
environment similar to Cambridge University
An experienced, practical and effective manager, able to successfully lead a diverse
team of staff and volunteers
Experienced in financial planning and management
Experienced in concert promotion
Experienced in managing or holding a senior management position within a
company, ideally a charity
Effective working with committees
Experienced in project or event management
Able to access Cambridge and London easily and cost-effectively
Able to attend concerts and rehearsals to understand the society and its members,
and to assist in the smooth operation of major concerts and events
Without conflicts of interest e.g., due to other part-time work. However, a second part
time job will not be considered a disadvantage – particularly if it is complementary to
the role of Executive Director
The appointments committee will be looking for evidence of the following personal qualities:
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Excellent presentation and communication skills, both orally and in writing
Sound judgement in management issues and well developed interpersonal skills
A positive and creative attitude to problem solving
Excellent organisational skills with an eye for detail
A good listener with strong team building skills
Genuine empathy with the ethos and aims of the Society
In addition to showing an appetite and ability to develop any skills missing from the above
lists, the successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to work well with people at all
levels, to develop Cambridge’s ambitions as a world centre for talented students seeking to
combine a rigorous academic education with an outstanding musical training, and to adapt to
changing higher education and funding environments.
How to Apply for the job of Executive Director:
Applications should be made by email to Chloe Davidson, CUMS Secretary, at
cnd26@cam.ac.uk, to arrive no later than 24 May 2013. Applications should include a
covering letter and CV as separate word files or pdfs, and details of 3 referees, at least one
of whom could be contacted prior to interview. The covering letter should be no more than
one page, briefly highlighting relevant experience, setting out what the candidate would
expect to achieve in their first year, and explaining how they would go about achieving those
goals.
Applicants who are unfamiliar with CUMS are encouraged to attend our concert on May
11th, at West Road Concert Hall.
First round interviews will be held in Cambridge on 7 June. Successful candidates will be
invited to final round interviews in Cambridge on 24 June.
Key dates are as follows:
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24 May Final date for applications (by email only)
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7 June First round interviews
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24 June Final round interviews