Freelance educator jobs

Location: Hybrid (London-based)

Contract: Full-time

Salary: up to £38,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

We’re seeking an experienced, motivated Programme Manager with a passion for music and culture, and the confidence to drive projects forward in a small, collaborative team. 

This is an exciting time to join CDR as we grow nationally and you will play a pivotal role in shaping and scaling three of our core programmes at a time of real momentum.

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years experience in delivering music education programmes, be highly organised, and proactive.

CDR is an organisation committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in everything we do, from our programmes to our hiring practices. We particularly welcome and encourage applications from Black people and others who are currently underrepresented in the music and cultural industry. 

About CDR

CDR is a community-first music organisation working towards an equitable music industry for producers and artists. Founded in 2002, we have a 20-year track record of nurturing independent music makers and pushing UK electronic music forward.

We connect education with modern music culture, empowering people to create new music, define their sound, and release music on their own terms. Our programmes span schools, youth centres, grassroots venues and international collaborations — from Newham to Nairobi.

As a Black-led, London-based National Portfolio Organisation (Arts Council England), we are building the CDR Pathway: a cohesive journey that unlocks creativity in people at a young age and supports them to develop their creative practice throughout their lives.

This is an exciting time to join CDR: after recently becoming an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation, we are rapidly growing our projects around the country. Building on 20 years of heritage in the UK underground music scene, there is a significant opportunity to push on further and grow CDR’s profile to establish ourselves as a leading music and education organisation nationally.

The Programmes You’ll Lead

Music Producer Club (MPC) – digital music-making for young people aged 12–18, delivered in schools, youth centres and online. Taught by ‘producer educators’ - working music producers we train to educate the next generation -, MPC builds creativity, skills and confidence while connecting participants with electronic music culture and the national curriculum.

Process – a development programme for women, non-binary and trans+ music makers. Structured across three strands for different abilities (Create, Define, Release), Process combines workshops, mentoring and masterclasses to build skills, confidence and community for underrepresented producers.

Out The Box (OTB) – hands-on analogue mixing workshops in leading London studios, giving emerging producers practical experience with desks, outboard gear and professional engineers while bridging digital and analogue production techniques.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Management

• Lead planning, scheduling and delivery of MPC, Process and Out The Box programmes and events.

Quality Monitoring & Evaluation

• Collect and analyse participant data, case studies and feedback, and drive solutions in response to pain points.

• Support continuous improvement by feeding programme insights into CDR’s evolving evaluation framework, learning outputs, and communications strategy.

• Ensure safeguarding, risk assessments and health and safety are adhered to across all programmes. Implementing training, good practice and further planning where necessary.

Strategic Development

• Work with senior management to scale and embed programmes nationally.

• Ensure programmes align with and contribute to the CDR Pathway, supporting participants to progress from entry-level engagement to sustained creative practice and professional development.

Person Specification

Essential

• Track record of managing and growing programmes in education, youth, or the arts.

• Strong organisational and time-management skills.

Terms & Benefits

• Full-time, hybrid working with a London office base.

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + office closure (Christmas week).

• Pension scheme.

• Training and professional development opportunities.

Reports to: CEO