Head of Norfolk Music Service and the Norfolk and Suffolk Music Hub

Head of Norfolk Music Service and the Norfolk and Suffolk Music Hub

Norfolk County Council via Peridot Partners Closing date: Mon, 05 Oct 2026

Artform: Music
Role: Creative
Contract: Permanent
East

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 "> published -

Job Summary

Lead a high-performing Music Service delivering outstanding music education which inspires children to flourish, reaching hundreds of thousands of participants each year.

Job Description

Reporting directly to an Assistant Director in Children's Services, the Head of Service provides visionary, forward-thinking leadership to meet the National Plan for Music Education.

This role has financial accountability for £4.5 million annually and is accountable for the Arts Council England (ACE) funding agreement, business planning and financial sustainability across grant-funded and traded income. The time split is approximately 30% in schools and 70% in the wider partnership and community delivery.

Job Requirements

- Educational Credibility
A degree or equivalent qualification, with senior leadership experience in music education, schools, culture or the music industry. QTS or post-Grade 8 qualifications are desirable.
- Strategic & Financial Track Record
Experience leading music services or complex hubs at scale, including work with national funders such as Arts Council England.
- Political & Stakeholder Skills
Experience working in a complex local authority, building relationships with senior leaders, elected members and schools.
-Collaborative Leadership
An open, supportive style that values engagement, delegation and a strong bottom-up culture.
- Inclusion & Youth Focus
A deep belief in music education's power to enrich the lives of all children, particularly marginalised groups, rural communities and pupils with SEND.
- Safeguarding
Strong commitment to safeguarding and child welfare. Enhanced DBS required.

Regular travel across Norfolk & Suffolk and some out-of-hours work will be required.

Job Responsibilities

- Strategic & Financial Oversight
Lead business and financial planning, managing £1m in traded income and c.£2m in ACE grant funding, alongside additional grants, while ensuring compliance with purchasing, procurement and contract policies.

- Partnership Evolution
Manage and strengthen relationships with around 70 local, regional and national partners, balancing competing priorities and delivering outcome-focused commissioning.

- Workforce Leadership
Lead a team of 35 teachers, middle managers and support staff, driving structural development, colleague engagement, high performance and individual creativity.

- Safeguarding & Governance
Act as safeguarding lead across the service, ensuring compliance with Working Together to Safeguard Children and related legislation across all settings and large-scale public events.

- National Representation
Represent NCC on national forums, including the APPG for Music Education, DfE roundtables and Arts Council national working

Job Overview

  • Job Title: Head of Norfolk Music Service and the Norfolk and Suffolk Music Hub
  • Salary: £50k+
  • Hours: Full time
  • Artform: Music
  • Role: Creative
  • Contract: Permanent
  • Closing date: Mon, 05 Oct 2026
  • Location:
    East

How to Apply

For more information and to apply follow the applicated link to the job page.

Applications for this job close 9 a.m. Monday 5th October