Programme Director

Konserthuset Stockholm, home to the world-renowned Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra (RSPO), is one of the most respected institutions of the global music scene. The RSPO was founded in 1902 and Konserthuset Stockholm was built in 1926 to serve as the orchestra’s permanent home. Konserthuset also serves as the venue for the annual Nobel Prize Ceremony.

Konserthuset Stockholm and the RSPO are anticipating a double anniversary in the 2026/2027 season, celebrating both Konserthuset’s 100^th anniversary and the orchestra’s 125^th anniversary.

The institution is organized with the RSPO and Konserthuset as one unit, allowing for the planning of top level orchestral concerts alongside a diverse range of programming, including festivals, visiting orchestras, chamber music, recitals, choirs, jazz, early music, global music and organ recitals, as well as a substantial educational offering for children, including outreach activities. Konserthuset is also available for external bookings.

We are currently seeking an experienced and skilled Programme Director who is curious and inspired to take charge of the artistic planning for both the RSPO and Konserthuset’s wide range of offerings. You will work closely with the CEO, our valued Chief Conductor Ryan Bancroft and our three title conductors: Alan Gilbert, Sakari Oramo and Franz Welser-Möst. The institution also collaborates with the legendary Eric Ericson Chamber Choir.

The orchestra’s core repertoire consists of symphonic works from the classical, romantic, early modern and contemporary periods with a world leading tradition in performing Nordic music in general and Swedish music in particular.

The RSPO is also highly committed to perform new and lesser-known works whenever possible, striving for improved gender balance in both historic and contemporary repertoire. A cherished tradition which the orchestra upholds, is the internationally acclaimed International Composer’s Festival, held annually since 1986. Every fall a week is dedicated to a living composer and includes a new orchestral commission. 

Composers like Alfred Schnittke, Arvo Pärt, Sofia Gubaidulina, Kaija Saariaho, Henri Dutilleux, Thomas Adès, Unsuk Chin, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Anders Hillborg, Steve Reich, John Adams and Jörg Widmann are just some of the composers who have been featured over the years.

Konserthuset with its three concert halls annually presents around one thousand events, ranging from guided tours to sold out symphony concerts. The annual Nobel Prize Concert takes place on December 8^th, followed by the Nobel Prize Ceremony on December 10^th – both events are broadcast on television and streamed on the Nobel Foundation’s platforms. The institution also has the great privilege of being involved in many national festivities associated with the Royal Court and the Swedish Parliament.

The institution has a successful digital concert hall – Konserthuset Play – where select concerts are broadcast live and available on demand, free of charge to a global audience. At the moment over 270 films are available on the platform.

The RSPO is a highly sought after touring orchestra, with regular tours across Europe, the USA and Asia as part of the orchestra’s planning structure.

The RSPO consists of 105 full time musicians and an administrative staff of 45 full-time employees. The institution comprises of more than 20 nationalities and has an equal gender balance.

The position

The Programme Director is responsible for the artistic direction of both the orchestra and Konserthuset’s wide range of offerings. setting a clear strategy for the institution and its position in close collaboration with the CEO, the Chief Conductor and the Senior Management team. Together, they are responsible for achieving a successful artistic programming, maintaining and further strengthening the institution’s leading position and ensuring a healthy financial position and a thriving organizational culture. The Programme Director plays a key role in this, not only through a distinctive artistic vision, but also through inspirational leadership. Connecting musicians, conductors, soloists and administration staff is crucial for the artistic quality of the institution.

Strategic programming, developing high quality productions and attracting leading musicians from Sweden and abroad are essential components of the position. A strong commitment to education, learning and participation is vital in order to form a basis for future success and for strengthening the institution’s role in society and building relationships with other sectors. 

Artistic curiosity, initiative, decisiveness and the ability to transform ideas into concrete plans are of highest importance for success in this position. A close collaboration with conductors, artists, the programme committee and administrative staff is equally important in order to achieve an inclusive and open culture and to ensure a safe working environment. A special focus on diversity and inclusivity, as well as a willingness to put these principles into practice, is an integral part of the Programme Director’s daily work.

Konserthuset Stockholm and the RSPO are looking for a candidate who

• Has significant experience in the artistic programming and planning of a renowned orchestra and/or a leading concert hall or music festival.
• Has a distinctive and strategic vision for the practical implementation of a modern institution at international level, both for the present and the future.
• Is highly knowledgeable about artistic quality, soloists, conductors and high level programming across both classical and contemporary repertoire. 
• Has a proven track record in a major leadership role.
• Contributes to the development of a positive and productive working environment.
• Is capable of uniting all members of the various sections of the orchestra and administration, bringing about successful and long-lasting cooperation.
• Actively contributes to a diverse, inclusive and safe organization environment.
• Is a natural relationship builder, introducing and cultivating a relevant network 
• Has a strong international focus, while at the same time being mindful of Swedish cultural dynamics.

Main areas of responsibility
Developing the Artistic Organization 

• Implements the institution’s vision in a way that maintains its leading position.
• Heads the artistic department as the direct supervisor of the institution’s production managers and coordinators, creating an efficient internal structure.
• Promotes cooperation both within the programme department and across other departments in the organization. 
• Contributes to the daily management in a collegial and constructive manner.
• Serves as the primary contact for the programme committee, which includes representatives from the orchestra.
• Contributes to the development of a positive and productive working environment.

Strategic Artistic Planning

Translates the artistic vision into a strategic and balanced programming that ensures the institution’s future and its prominence, both nationally and internationally. 

• Developes a diverse range of concert programmes and formats at the highest international level, targeting different audience groups. 
• Develops concepts and programmes that express the institution’s social objectives, working closely with the Project Manager of Education.

Artistic Collaboration

• Gives substance to productive collaboration with artistic partners both nationally and internationally.

• Builds artistic relationships with a wide variety of parties of the music world, including orchestras, soloists, festivals, agencies and venues. 
• Is responsibility for the artistic budget, including negotiations, all within the framework set by the institution’s Board of Directors.

• Collaborates with other members of the Senior Management team on matters such as personnel, financing, sponsorship and budgeting.

• Discovers and engages leading Conductors and Soloists from different generations in order to ensure the best-suited conductors and artists at the right time and with appropriate repertoire. To this end, the Programme Director regularly attends rehearsals and concerts, both nationally and internationally.

• Supports the Chief Conductor as an Artistic Partner, particularly with regards to a balanced season program, choice of repertoire and maintaining a good working relationship with the orchestra.

• Artistic dialogue partner to title conductors, guest conductors and soloists, for example with regards to the choice of repertoire and the development of artistic projects. 

Education and Talent Development

• Collaborates closely with the Project Managers of Education on the strategic development of the education and talent development programmes at Konserthuset, including school and family concerts, El Sistema and the RSPO International Orchestra Academy.

Key characteristics

• Inspiring leader with an open and approachable leadership style
• A strong talent for networking.
• Empathetic, sensitive and motivating.
• Energetic, ambitious and curious
• Administratively driven.
• Enterprising, decisive and results oriented.
• Persuasive, decisive and capable of influencing relevant people.
• Socially aware and responsive to new societal developments.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken, with a strong willingness to learn Swedish.

Welcome with your application

Apply with your CV and cover letter via this link (opens in a new window) no later than 2024-10-31.

Want to know more?
For more information about the position, please contact:
Susanne Rydén, VD, +46 707 16 66 94 susanne.ryden@konserthuset.se
Anne Rajala, HR-manager, +46 708 72 56 99 anne.rajala@konserthuset.se

For union issues:
Eva Bjurenhed, Unionen eva.bjurenhed@konserthuset.se
Paola Costa, DIK paola.costa@konserthuset.se
Kajsa William Olsson, Symf avd 2 kajsa.william-olsson@konserthuset.se