HLH/2605/05 Head of Music Development

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Development

• Lead the strategic planning and ongoing development of instrumental music provision across all settings and programmes
• Identify opportunities for growth, innovation, and diversification of music activity, including new projects, partnerships, and funding streams
• Contribute to organisational strategy, policy development, and long-term planning as a member of the senior leadership team
• Ensure provision reflects best practice in music education and respond to local, regional, and national priorities

Staff Leadership & Management

• Line manage and support approximately 50 peripatetic instrumental instructors and associated project staff including matters relating to personnel procedures; disciplinary/grievance issues & absence management/reporting
• Lead on recruitment, induction, deployment, appraisal, and professional development of teaching staff
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative culture among a large, geographically dispersed workforce
• Address performance management, workload planning, and staff wellbeing, ensuring high standards and consistency of delivery
• Maintain an awareness and knowledge of the risk management responsibilities appropriate to their role, as identified within the HLH Risk Policy and associated guidance documentation

Quality Assurance & Curriculum Oversight

• Ensure high standards of teaching, learning, and musical progression across all instrumental programmes
• Oversee curriculum frameworks, assessment approaches, and progression pathways
• Monitor and evaluate delivery through observations, feedback, data analysis, and regular review
• Support staff to develop inclusive, engaging, and learner-centred teaching practices
• Maintain a professional relationship with schools and classroom music teaching staff

Operational & Project Management

• Oversee the effective planning, delivery, and evaluation of music projects and instrumental programmes
• Manage timetabling, staffing allocations, and resource deployment to ensure efficiency and value for money
• Work closely with administrative and operations teams to ensure smooth day-to-day service delivery
• Monitor & evaluate Youth Music Initiative projects, including management of staff directly employed by HLH and liaison with external providers
• Plan, organise and promote activities of Highland Young Musicians ensembles
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, health and safety, and organisational policies

Financial & Resource Management

• Contribute to budget planning and financial oversight for instrumental provision and related projects
• Monitor expenditure, staffing costs, and income generation to ensure financial sustainability
• Support fundraising, grant applications, and reporting where required

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships

• Build and maintain strong relationships with schools, venues, community partners, funders, and other stakeholders including National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music, Plockton
• Act as a senior representative for the organisation in meetings, events, and partnership forums
• Communicate effectively with parents, learners, and partners regarding provision and development

Interviews will be held in Inverness on Wednesday 3rd June 2026