Programme Manager, Frequencies

PROGRAMMEMANAGER,FREQUENCIES Programme Manager, Frequencies
Job Description

Position:

Programme Manager, Frequencies (0.6 FTE)

Reports to:

Director of Programmes, Music for Youth

Location:

Music for Youth, CBSO Centre, Berkley Street, Birmingham B1 2LF

Additional
Information:

Flexible Working, with requirement for a minimum of 1 day in the
office per week. Some UK travel where necessary.

Music for Youth
Music for Youth is a national youth music charity working with young people aged 25 and
under across the UK. Our vision is to ensure that every young person in the UK can achieve
their musical potential by performing the music they love. We believe that music, and the
chance to participate in high-quality musical activities, should be open to every young
person.

We believe that young people make great music, and our role is to advocate for young
musicians and support them on their journey. We are proud to support future generations
of musicians, composers, songwriters, performers and producers and we do everything
possible to remove barriers to participation. There are no minimum entry requirements,
and every style and genre of music is welcome; we encourage all young musicians to get
involved, from those just starting out, to more experienced performers.

We transform young lives by staging high-quality musical projects and inspirational
experiences for young people, including the UK’s largest youth music festival in locations
across the country in Spring, the National Festival in summer and the Music for Youth
Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London in November.

We create partnerships with industry professionals, music institutions, schools, higher
education and grass roots music organisations. We work with young people at a local
and regional level, working with a wide range of communities to support their
development and wellbeing. Uniquely, our work takes place across the whole of the UK
with events in all nine regions of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This
coverage enables us to support and tour the work of other partner organisations so they
can reach young people further afield.

For over 50 years, Music for Youth’s annual cycle of regional festivals, local events, a
national festival and showcase concerts has made a significant contribution to the music
education calendar, bringing together regional providers and young performers, and
putting young people’s own achievements into a wider national context.

‘MFY has simply changed some of our young people's lives and given them experiences
they will never ever forget. Our performances in the regional, national and proms have
been highlights for all of us. Simply brilliant’, Group leader

March 2026

ABOUT FREQUENCIES
Frequencies is Music for Youth’s programme for young people making music outside the
formal education sector. It exists to champion emerging talent, amplify youth voice, and
create meaningful pathways between grassroots music-making and the wider music
industry.

Through Regional Festivals, artist development opportunities, creative residencies and
industry-facing initiatives, Frequencies supports young musicians who may not traditionally
access structured music education. This includes self-taught artists, community-based
groups, independent creators and those working across contemporary and non-
traditional genres.

Frequencies connects these young artists with professional mentors, performance
platforms, industry networks and progression routes - ensuring that talent, wherever it is
found, is recognised, nurtured and celebrated.

As Music for Youth continues to evolve its reach and deepen its work beyond formal
settings, Frequencies plays a central role in expanding participation, diversifying
representation and strengthening creative career pathways in both performance and
non-performance roles.

THE ROLE
As Programme Manager, Frequencies, you will lead the development and delivery of this
vital strand of Music for Youth’s national programme.

This is both a strategic and hands-on role. You will shape the vision and growth of
Frequencies while managing the practical delivery of projects, partnerships and events
across the UK and at our home in Birmingham.

You will:

•  Curate and produce industry-facing and artist development initiatives, including
the annual New Music Residency programme and other special projects in the
pipeline

•  Grow meaningful partnerships across the grassroots, community and music

•

•

industry sectors
Increase opportunities for young people to shape and influence our work through
youth voice
Lead on the Frequencies Creative Careers programme, supporting young people in
gaining experience in non-performance roles.
•
Lead the delivery and expansion of designated Frequencies Regional Festivals
•  Play a defined role in major national events including the MFY National Festival and

MFY Proms

You will take responsibility for ensuring that Frequencies contributes strategically to Music
for Youth’s mission, working closely with the Director of Programmes.

The role includes building strong local partnerships across Birmingham to expand
pathways for young people to access professional opportunities in the music industry.

The role requires someone who is confident operating at both strategic and delivery levels
- developing new ideas, managing budgets and timelines, writing funding applications,
building partnerships, as well as working directly with young musicians.

March 2026

This is an exciting opportunity to shape a programme that connects grassroots creativity
with national platforms and industry pathways, helping to redefine how young people
engage with music across the UK.

Other Duties
You will be required to undertake other such duties as are required by senior colleagues,
the Chief Executive or the Board of Directors.

Safeguarding
MFY has a responsibility for the safeguarding of young people involved in all of its activity.
You will be expected to help implement MFY’s safeguarding and child protection policy,
adhering to its code of safe conduct.

Equality
Through personal example and clear action, you will ensure a positive approach to
equality of opportunity in the delivery of Music for Youth activity.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION
EXPERIENCE
Essential

•  At least 5 years’ relevant experience within a music, arts or youth-focused

organisation

•  Experience designing and delivering music or creative programmes for young

people, particularly outside the formal education sector

•  Demonstrable experience of producing live events, showcases or artist

development projects

•  Experience building and managing partnerships across the music, community or

cultural sectors

•  Experience managing project budgets and timelines
•  Experience contributing to funding applications, reporting and evaluation

Desirable

•  Experience working directly with music industry professionals, venues or creative

employers

•  Experience developing youth voice or youth leadership initiatives
•  Experience of working within a national organisation or delivering a UK wide

programme

•  Knowledge of the youth music scene in Birmingham/WM

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Essential

•  Strong understanding of grassroots music-making and contemporary music

practice

•  Knowledge of progression routes and career pathways within the music industry
•  Understanding of barriers to participation faced by young people, particularly in

non-formal settings

•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write

clearly for different audiences

•  Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver to tight deadlines
•  Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
•  Financial literacy and confidence managing budgets

March 2026

•  Confident IT skills and ability to use digital tools for communication and

administration

Desirable

•  Knowledge of the UK music education landscape and wider cultural policy context
•  Understanding of safeguarding practice within youth settings

PERSONAL QUALITIES

•  Passionate about championing young people’s creativity and widening access
•  Enthusiastic and self-motivated
•  Collaborative and relationship-driven
•  Solutions-focused and adaptable under pressure
•  Professional and diplomatic in managing stakeholders
•  Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Terms and Conditions
Contract:

0.6 FTE, permanent

Salary:

Pension:

Probationary period:
will be

Holidays:
0.6)

£30,000-£34,000 pro rata, dependent on experience

Employers contribution of 8%

Six months, with one week’s notice; thereafter the notice period

two months.

25 days plus statutory Bank Holidays and Christmas (pro rata to

The role will require occasional evening and weekend working for which time off in lieu is
given.

It is a condition of employment that a satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure will be
required.

March 2026

Application Process To apply for the role, please submit:  1. The attached Application Form. 2. A cover letter (max 2 pages) detailing: Why you are interested in this role.What you would bring to the organisation.Please send your application form and cover letter to recruitment@mfy.org.uk withthe subject line: Application for Programme Manager, Frequencies. Deadline for Applications: Monday 30 March 2026 at 12pm.th Interviews: Will take place on Tuesday 7 March 2026 in Birmingham.th If you have any access needs or other practical questions, please emailrecruitment@mfy.org.uk.Learn more and apply