Closing date: 30/04/2025

To support us in our continued development, we are expanding our Board capabilities to include professional expertise in accessibility.

For over 55 years, the Ulster Orchestra has been at the forefront of musical life and culture in Northern Ireland, with a mission to enrich lives and inspire, making music accessible for all. In 2022, we moved into our new home - Ulster Orchestra at Townsend (“UO@T”) - placing us firmly within the community. 

With this move, our strategic plan is to create an inclusive and accessible space for rehearsal, recording, performance and learning and community engagement through music, collaborating with others towards the economic and cultural development of the area and creating a sustainable purpose for the site. 

Accessibility touches on every part of the organisation from how we provide information through our social media, website and all written content to how we work with venues to model best practice in accessibility, including UO@T, to how we co-design our learning and community engagement activities and how we aspire to provide a welcoming environment for disabled musicians. 

To support us in our continued development, we are expanding our Board capabilities to include professional expertise in accessibility. 

Alongside our networks with relevant organisations, this Board Member will provide specific oversight in this area. This will include guidance to ensure that our recruitment and audience engagement processes address potential barriers to participation and retention and provide adequate supports such as travel or communication. They will also actively contribute to our ED&I agenda and Board diversity. 

We understand that barriers to accessibility and inclusion aren’t just physical, they can also be caused by people’s attitudes and assumptions. This is a role for someone who is passionate and creative about identifying and removing those barriers and improving the experience of D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people within the arts, whether as an employee, audience member or participant. 

We are particularly keen to hear from candidates who have: 

• Professional knowledge and lived experience of accessibility challenges and barriers, accessibility standards, relevant legislation and best practice in the working environment 
• ​A proven professional track record to advocate for the needs and rights of people with disabilities 
• Professional experience of contributing to or developing strategies, policies and plans that improve accessibility 
• Strong skills in articulating accessibility issues and solutions effectively to diverse audiences within a professional environment 
• A creative and resourceful approach to identifying and addressing accessibility challenges within the arts sector whilst balancing the constraints of a limited budget

 A bit about the Ulster Orchestra: 

What we do: As Northern Ireland’s only professional symphony orchestra, our aim is to provide inspirational musical experiences that are accessible to all. We believe the best orchestras draw from their communities, by reflecting their cultures, their hopes and dreams. They help their communities find their creative voices; that is what we are about. 

Our Vision & Values: Our vision is ‘to be a vital force in the cultural, social and educational life of Northern Ireland’. It is an ambition that requires constant evolution to meet its challenges. Society doesn't stand still, and nor do we. We strive towards achieving our vision through always living our values: we CARE about our colleagues; we COMMIT to being world class; we ENGAGE with our community. 

EDI Commitment: The Ulster Orchestra values equality, diversity and inclusion and it is at the core of our values. We are committed to providing a space where every person is treated with dignity and respect and feels welcomed, accepted and supported, where they can excel at what they do and can fulfil their potential, whatever their background. Through our membership of Black Lives in Music as well as collaborations with inclusive music ensembles, such as Acoustronic , we are committed to playing our part in working towards a music industry which is truly accessible and inclusive. 

A bit about the Board: 

Our Board members bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience across a wide range of sectors, including finance, private business, public sector, education and local government. Working collaboratively with staff and players, it provides governance, oversight and guidance on strategic direction, business planning, funding requirements, policies, and decision-making. 

What we look for in a Board Member: 

• Experience in formulating & implementing strategic plans 
• Strong independent thinker with sound intellect and judgment  
• Robust understanding of governance and the ability to operate effectively at Board level or equivalent 
• Good communication skills, and the ability to act as an ambassador for the Ulster Orchestra 
• An insight into the strategic issues facing orchestras 
• Willingness & aptitude to chair and/or actively contribute to relevant Board Sub-Committees 

What can you expect? 

Time Commitment: There are 6 scheduled Board meetings per year, September to June, outside normal working hours, usually 5pm to 8pm. A week in advance you will be provided with papers to read in preparation for the meeting. Board Sub-Committee meetings occur in advance of each Board Meeting and are usually one hour in duration. Again, you will be provided with papers to read before the meeting. 

Location: Geographical location isn’t important. All our Board meetings are hybrid, so you can join from wherever you are. 

Tenure: Minimum term is 3 years, renewable for an additional 3 years to a maximum of 6 consecutive years.  

Benefits: Onboarding and ongoing training will be provided; you will receive complimentary tickets for at least one season concert each year. 

Remuneration: this is a non-remunerated appointment. 

What’s in it for you? 

Being on a Board can be an incredibly rewarding experience! Even better, when it’s within an industry where you have a passion, so you can gain access and insight into how everything works and contribute to its success. In addition, board membership can enhance your leadership skills and abilities as well as giving you the opportunity to work alongside a diverse range of people and make a valuable contribution to the organisation. 

“Joining the board of Ulster Orchestra has been a truly enriching experience. It offers a unique opportunity to support the arts and collaborate with a diverse group of passionate individuals. The sense of community and shared purpose is incredibly fulfilling, and each meeting is organised and effective, being steered by a welcoming chair. Being part of the board has allowed me to contribute to something that aligns with my own personal values and interests. “ 

Lucy Costelloe, Board Member   
 

We would love to hear from you! 

You might still have questions - if so, we can put you in touch with one of our current Board members to hear about their experiences, just contact our People & Culture Leader, [email protected]. 

If you’re ready to apply, please e-mail the following to the above email address no later than Wednesday 30th April 2025: 

• An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae 
• A Statement of Suitability setting out your interest in the role and how you meet the specification  
• A completed diversity monitoring questionnaire, which you can download below. 

To make the application process accessible and individual to you, we encourage you to let us know if you have any specific access needs and/or require any reasonable adjustments to help with your application and/or take up the post if successful. We are here to support you, so please reach out to [email protected] to make sure we can cover your individual requirements.  

Please note, we aim to conduct interviews week commencing 12th May 2025. Interviews can be conducted in person or online.  

The UO is committed to building a Board that is truly diverse and inclusive.  We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Within this context we particularly encourage applications from people with disabilities, LGBTQ+, Black, Asian and other global majority backgrounds, and those from backgrounds of social and economic deprivation. 

UO Monitoring Form