Conference Assistant

Conference Assistant

Association of British Orchestras Closing date: Thu, 29 Oct 2026

Artform: Music
Role: Admin, Secretarial & PA
Contract: Contract
London
South East

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 "> published -

Job Summary

Ahead of the 2027 ABO Conference we are seeking to appoint a Conference Assistant role to provide support in the lead up to and throughout the conference itself. The assistant will join the ABO team for a fixed period across December through to mid-February.

Job Description

About the ABO
The Association of British Orchestras (ABO) is the national body representing the collective interest of professional orchestras, youth ensembles and the wider classical music industry throughout the UK. Our mission is to enable and support an innovative, collaborative and sustainable orchestral sector by providing advice, support, intelligence and information to the people who make British orchestras a global success.
The ABO's primary event each year is its annual conference, the major gathering of the classical music industry in the UK, with over 300 delegates drawn from orchestras both from within the UK and abroad, plus funding agencies, venues, agents, publishers and suppliers. The 2027 ABO Conference will be held in Birmingham from 3-5 February 2027, hosted by the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
We are looking for a conference assistant to join the ABO team for a fixed-term period beginning in December 2026 in the run-up to and for the duration of the conference. Many former assistants and interns who started at the ABO have gone on to successful careers in the sector and now work for organisations that are themselves members of the association.

Job Requirements

We are looking for a candidate with strong organisational and communication skills, as well as a keen interest in classical music and the orchestral sector. You will be a responsible individual with a proactive approach, excellent attention to detail and the ability to work independently or as part of a team. You may be liaising with ABO members, artists, audiences, or partner organisations, so a friendly and professional manner is essential.
This role involves using technology, so confidence using IT is essential, and an understanding of data protection and confidentiality is important. Familiarity with Microsoft Office programs, including mail merge features, as well as the use of audio/visual hardware for presentations, meetings and social media would be an advantage. Previous experience in an arts or administrative role is helpful but not essential. We welcome candidates who are eager to learn and develop their skills within a supportive team environment.

Job Responsibilities

Supporting member services in advance of the conference.
Supporting the conference booking process for delegates, trade and sponsorship places.
Regularly updating conference information on the ABO website and online platforms (CrowdComms..
Support the Marketing & Communications Manager in creating and posting content on the ABO's social media channels.
Attend the full conference, welcoming delegates, speakers, sponsors and VIP guests at the registration desk.
Supporting the Conference Manager to ensure smooth running of the conference.
Assisting the Marketing & Communications Manager in liaising with sponsors and trade exhibitors.
Assisting the ABO team with any additional duties as required.

For full responsibilities, please refer to the Job Description.

Useful Links

Job Overview

  • Job Title: Conference Assistant
  • Salary: £20k-£25k (pro-rata)
  • Hours: Part time
  • Artform: Music
  • Role: Admin, Secretarial & PA
  • Contract: Contract
  • Closing date: Thu, 29 Oct 2026
  • Location:
    London
    South East

How to Apply

Please email a CV and covering letter (no more than one A4 page) detailing your suitability and interest in the position to Jack Fearn, Membership and Operations Manager ([email protected]). Please put “Conference Assistant Application” in the subject line. We would also ask that you complete our Equal Opportunities monitoring form, to help us assess this recruitment process. The Panel will not see information on your monitoring form.
The closing date for applications is 9am on Thursday 29 October 2026. Interviews are expected to be held in-person at Somerset House in early November.