Opening in September 2027, Brighton College Madrid is a leading independent British curriculum school in Madrid, committed to providing high-quality education and fostering academic excellence.

We are currently seeking a dedicated and experienced Founding Director of Music to join our team. This position offers an exciting opportunity to develop pupils’ musicianship, performance confidence and academic success through outstanding teaching and co-curricular programmes across the whole school, within a supportive and dynamic learning environment.

Position: Founding Director of Music

Department: Music

Education Stage: Prep, Middle and Secondary phases

Curriculum: United Kingdom

Position Type: Head of Department

Start date: August 2027

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Music across the College, setting the vision, curriculum and standards initially from Prep to Middle School, then from Senior School to Sixth Form, ensuring excellence in teaching and outcomes.

• Lead and develop the Music department and instrumental teaching team, overseeing staffing, performance, timetabling, resources, facilities and departmental budgets.

• Teach Music across key stages, eventually including IGCSE and IB Diploma Programme, delivering engaging, inclusive lessons that inspire high achievement and creativity.

• Develop pupils’ musicianship, performance confidence and academic success through outstanding teaching, assessment, feedback and support for examinations and university applications.

•  Lead a vibrant co-curricular music programme, including ensembles, concerts, productions, competitions, partnerships and other performance opportunities for pupils of all abilities.

• Contribute fully to the wider life of the College through tutoring, pastoral care, safeguarding, parental engagement, enrichment activities, school events and professional development.

Skills and Qualifications

• A good Bachelor’s degree in Music, or a conservatoire training, with PGCE or equivalent.

• A strong first study instrument or voice, with the keyboard skills to accompany and direct, and the confidence to conduct choirs and ensembles.

• Experience of leading a department, or of significant responsibility beyond the classroom.

• Experience of recruiting and managing visiting instrumental and vocal teachers would be a significant advantage.

• Confidence with music technology, including notation, sequencing and recording software, would be an advantage.

• Evidence of a continuing personal practice as a performer, conductor or composer would be an advantage.

•  Expert knowledge or experience of successfully delivering GCSEs/IGCSEs and the IB Diploma Programme, including the folio-based IB Music course.

• Exemplifies the Brighton College values of Curiosity, Confidence and Kindness.

• An international outlook and understanding of working in diverse environments.

Values and Attitudes

• Foster a passion for learning and musicianship.

• Ability, and genuine desire, to develop pupils and colleagues to their fullest potential.

• A proven track record of effective teaching, having obtained excellent public examination results with previous classes.

• Proven ability both to work effectively with pupils who have never played an instrument, and with those who aspire to study at the best conservatoires and universities in the world.

• Ability to thrive in an intellectually invigorating environment.

• Self-reliant and adaptable, with high levels of initiative.

• Evidence of the capacity to contribute to the broader life of the school.

Application process

If you are passionate about shaping the future of international education with us, please download the candidate brochure to learn more about our educational philosophy, view the full job description, and explore other details of the role.