The role

For September 2026, Cheltenham College invites applications for the role of Director of Music. The appointed candidate will be responsible for leading one of College’s most vibrant and ambitious departments. This is a rare opportunity for an exceptional musician, educator and leader to shape the musical life of a leading independent school where music sits at the very heart of the community.

The Director of Music holds a pivotal position within the College, with overall responsibility for both the academic and co-curricular music programme. Reporting to the Head via the Deputy Heads (Academic and Co-Curricular), the successful candidate will provide strategic leadership, inspire excellence across all musical activity, and promote a culture of high achievement, creativity and inclusion.

As a member of the Heads of Departments’ Committee, the Director of Music will play a key role in the wider academic life of the College while acting as an ambassador for College music locally, nationally and internationally.

The department

Music is central to life at College, and all members of the community are involved in some way. This ranges from singing hymns in Chapel, to performing concertos with the College Symphony Orchestra and everything in-between. Musical life is rich and varied, and all genres and styles are celebrated. The Director of Music is responsible for the quality of students’ music-making at College and for leading our team of highly skilled Visiting Music Teachers. Equal attention is given to the excellence of the most talented musicians as well as to creating a culture of wide participation.

Students regularly continue their musical studies after College, and students have been offered scholarships at Juilliard, Truro Cathedral, Exeter Cathedral, the Royal Academy of Music, Royal Northern College of Music, Downing College Cambridge and Merton College Oxford. Two students have won Gloucestershire Young Musician of the Year Competition in recent years and performed concertos with local semi-professional orchestras.

The candidate

We are seeking a musician of outstanding ability and vision, with:

• Proven excellence in performance, conducting and leadership
• Experience teaching Music to A Level
• The ability to inspire pupils and staff across a wide range of musical styles
• Strong organisational and administrative skills
• A commitment to inclusive participation and musical excellence
• The confidence to lead, innovate and promote music within and beyond the College

The Director of Music will teach up to 14 academic lessons per week, alongside a full and rewarding involvement in the co-curricular and wider life of the College.

A full list of duties and further information on the department can be found in the job description.

How to apply

Please download an application form and, once complete, send with covering letter, electronically, to: recruitment@cheltenhamcollege.org

Timeline

Closing date: 12 noon prompt, on Wednesday 11th February 2026

Interviews: 

Long list interviews will be in the week commencing: 23rd February 2026

Short list interviews will take place in the week commencing: 2nd March 2026

Cheltenham College and Cheltenham College Preparatory School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff to share this commitment.  This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; pre-employment checks will be carried out, references will be sought and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks with statutory bodies. When applying, please ensure you have read the following policies and guidance: Recruitment Policy, Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and Filtering Rules for Cautions and Convictions which are available on our website.

The Cheltenham College Privacy Notice for Staff is available on our website.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from suitably qualified individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. We encourage all candidates to ensure that we are aware of your particular requirements should you be invited to interview.