openings
Executive Director (Maternity Cover)
Contract: Fixed-term maternity cover (up to 14 months)
Salary: £50,000 pro rata (£30,000 for 0.6 FTE)
Hours: 3 days / 24 hours per week (flexible)
Location: Hybrid – minimum 1 day per week in our East London office, plus attendance at nonclassical events across London and the UK.
Start Date: 9 December 2026
Application deadline: 08:59am (BST), Tuesday 1 September 2026
About the role
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced arts or charity leader to provide strategic and operational leadership during the Executive Director's maternity leave, ensuring the continued delivery of nonclassical's artistic programme, financial stability and organisational health.
Working closely with the Chair, Board, Artistic Director and management team, you will lead a small team while maintaining nonclassical's artist-led ethos and supporting its live events, record label, artist development programmes and partnerships.
Key responsibilities
Lead and manage the organisation and staff team.
Oversee financial planning, budgeting and reporting.
Contribute to fundraising, partnerships and income generation.
Oversee delivery of the artistic programme, including live events, releases and artist development, and help plan the future artistic programme with the wider team .
Lead communications, audience development and brand positioning.
Ensure strong governance, HR and organisational compliance.
Represent and advocate for nonclassical across the sector.
We're looking for someone with
Significant senior leadership or management experience in the music, arts or charity sector.
Strong financial management and, ideally, fundraising experience.
Experience leading and motivating teams.
Excellent relationship-building, communication and project management skills.
A passion for contemporary, experimental or electronic music and a commitment to inclusion, fair access and environmental responsibility.
The right to work in the UK.
How to Apply?
Please complete the Application Form and Anonymous Equal Opportunities Form, and upload your CV and covering letter (maximum two A4 pages each). Applications in video format (up to 5 minutes each for your CV and cover letter) are also accepted.
Applications close at 08:59am (BST) on Tuesday 1 September 2026.
If you'd like to find out more about the role before applying, you can email Executive Director Natalia Franklin Pierce at natalia@nonclassical.co.uk or book an informal chat via Calendly.
Student PLACEMENTS
nonclassical welcomes applications from students undertaking work placements as part of their undergraduate or postgraduate studies. Placements must be part of a module or course requirement to be considered. To register interest, please ask your institution to get in touch with natalia@nonclassical.co.uk.
Our work placements can be flexible depending on your course and/or areas of interest. Previous placements have seen a snapshot across specific areas of nonclassical’s work or a taste of the whole, not limited to: running a label, events, marketing, fundraising, artist development and audience development.
Recent participants have been from Birmingham University, City University of London and from Goldsmiths Arts Administration & Cultural Policy Masters programme.
Expenses paid (travel & lunch)
VOLUNTEERS
We're a small team with a big vision, and would love your help in your bringing new music to as wide an audience as possible. If you’re interested to know about volunteering opportunities with our team please get in touch.
INTERNS
We offer some opportunities for paid internships via placement schemes. Any opportunities will be advertised here. Partners interested in collaborating with us on this scheme should get in touch with natalia@nonclassical.co.uk.
Here’s what one of our previous interns, Megan Holch, said about her time working at nonclassical:
Working at nonclassical taught me the real power and value of teamwork and collaboration.
The breadth of activity is remarkable and the care each member takes to get things over the line is inspiring.
Given the different roles, (e.g. a record label, running events and charity), I was able to experience all these different facets and work out where my strengths lie. I left nonclassical with a very rounded understanding of the industry which is incredibly valuable.
The working culture is one based on understanding and consideration. I felt my time and energy was valued and respected and that can sometimes not be the case in larger organisations.