JOB DETAILS
JOB BAND: C
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent, Full-time
DEPARTMENT: BBC Nations, BBC Scotland
LOCATION: Glasgow. The working pattern will be varied according to the orchestra schedule.
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £35,200 - £41,167 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (BBCSSO) is seeking a dedicated and experienced Stage Manager to oversee all staging, logistical, and technical requirements for our performances, broadcasts and recordings. This role is pivotal in ensuring the smooth execution of events at City Halls, outside broadcasts, and foreign tours, in collaboration with our radio 3 production teams. The role also takes the lead on H&S for all events as well as noise monitoring and mitigations.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM
As Scotland's national broadcasting orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra has been performing for audiences across Scotland, the UK and internationally since 1935. From Oban to Aldeburgh and London to Seoul (as part of BBC Proms Korea), the 2024/25 Season has been no exception. The orchestra's live performances are regularly broadcast on BBC Radio 3, Radio Scotland and Sounds, as well as BBC Television and iPlayer.
Opening eyes and ears with ambitious repertoire beyond any benchmark, the BBC SSO is Scotland's leading champion of new music. Across nine decades, it has commissioned orchestral music by the most original voices of its time and hosts its annual Tectonics Festival of new and experimental music each spring alongside its Creative Partner Ilan Volkov.
With Associate Artist Lucy Drever the orchestra runs projects that inspire creativity and connection with families, schools and communities across Scotland. And through a close association with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the orchestra mentors the next generation of conductors, composers and instrumentalists. The orchestra supports young musical talent in BBC Radio Scotland's Young Classical Musician competition.
Ryan Wigglesworth began his tenure as Chief Conductor in September 2022. One of the foremost composer-conductors of his generation, he has directed a wide range of repertoire with the BBC SSO including the ballets of Stravinsky, major works of Elgar, and UK premieres by György Kurtág and Composer-in-Association Hans Abrahamsen. Regularly performing at the BBC Proms and Edinburgh International Festival, the orchestra is a recipient of a Royal Philharmonic Society Award and four Gramophone Awards.
Delyana Lazarova has been appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC SSO from September 2025, the beginning of the orchestra's 90th anniversary concert season.
Your Key Responsibilities And Impact
Planning, managing and supervising all the BBCSSO's staging, logistical and technical requirements for performances and recordings at City Halls, outside broadcasts and foreign tours. All in collaboration with radio and production teams.
Producing stage plans with Viso software in conjunction with radio production team.
Lay the stage and supervise truck load in's and out's with freelance crew.
Ensures all activities are carried out in accordance with BBC safety standards and practices, Including noise awareness and safety.
Attend planning meetings to inform, advise, provide solutions and ideas, and to collaborate in any aspects affecting rehearsal, performance, recording or transmission schedules.
Working with Glasgow Life, freelancers and other production stakeholders to ensure the smooth running of all SSO events at City Halls and outside venues in the UK and abroad.
Effectively book and manage freelancers.
Supervising and recording noise monitoring using the Hydrock system and Casella meters.
Organise hire of additional instruments and backline in conjunction with producers and percussion section.
Lead on all aspects of health and safety in all venues.
Manage the venue and instrument stores.
Organise all truck bookings and maintain a good working relationship with the transport company.
Essential Criteria
YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Knowledge and understanding of orchestra layouts and musical instruments.
Excellent planning skills and IT skills and a willingness to acquire new skills.
Ability to influence, lead, and to deliver information and instructions diplomatically.
Ability and willingness to work as part of a team.
Knowledge and awareness of Health & Safety.
Experience, resilience and confidence to give directions to anyone as required.
If you can bring some of these skills and experiences, 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.
For any general queries, please contact:
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.