Instrument Development Manager

Are you passionate about music, inclusion and making a real difference?  The OHMI Trust is looking for someone to lead our Instrument Development programmes.  The heart of our mission is to make music truly inclusive for people with physical impairments and in this role you will be driving forward the development and delivery of adapted musical instruments.  It is creative, purposeful work and we are looking for someone who cares deeply about the impact that music can have.

Our team is looking for someone who lives and breathes our passion as much as we do and will put the work (and the miles) into bringing our mission to life. You will do this through:

• Developing a strategic approach in how we can increase the range of instruments and supportive apparatus available, working with instrument makers and technologists where necessary. 
• Identifying potential entrants for our OHMI Competition, which is where we challenge developers and instrument makers to adapt or create instruments that can be played without the use of one hand and arm.
• Supporting our OHMI Music-makers, a project that works with partner organisations to bring music lessons to individual students or a whole class by providing adapted instruments.  
• Making sure we are communicating with our funders and Board of Trustees about our progress and impact.

And as a key member of the team, you will support us in promoting our great work at various key conferences and workshops.

No two days look the same here at the OHMI Trust, but a week could look like this:

·       Arranging meetings with student groups working on instrument related engineering projects.

·       Joining an online meeting to develop the strategy for overcoming a specific instrument production challenge.

·       Writing an application for funding towards the next instrument/piece of equipment that is needed.

Hours: 18.75 per week, but flexible. Some weekend and evening work will be expected, as circumstances and opportunities require.   This post is subject to a 6-month probation period.

Location: flexible within the UK – this is a home/remote working role but there will be travel throughout the UK and there is an advantage in being located within easy commuting distance of the West Midlands, where the rest of the staff are currently based.

Deadline for application: 5pm 4th July.  Interview date: 23rd July in person.

Accountable to: OHMI's General Manager and, through her, the Board of Trustees

What we are looking for:

Essential

• A passion for improving inclusion in music-making, including an understanding of the barriers to participation for those with physical disabilities
• Strong organisational skills, including an ability to prioritise workloads effectively, manage multiple tasks and work flexibly as part of a team
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, with the ability to adapt style and content to a range of different audiences and contexts
• Familiarity with standard office software (e.g. Microsoft Word and Excel) and an ability to build knowledge of new systems effectively
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout the UK as required for the job (travel expenses covered)

Desirable

• Technical skills - experience of working with instrument makers, designers or manufacturers
• Disability confident - experience of working with people with physical disabilities

If this role sounds like a great fit for you, we would love to hear all about it!  Tell us why you are interested and what skills you can bring to this position by sending a written statement along with your CV to Rachel Wolffsohn.  We will be holding in person interviews on 23rd July in Birmingham so please hold that date in your diary. 

You can find out more about us and our work on our website and if you have any questions about the position, please get in touch with Rachel.

We are a Disability Confident Committed employer and as such commit to offer an interview to all disabled candidates who meet the Essential criteria.