SOME KEY INFORMATION

• Based at County Hall, Taunton with Flexible/remote working options.
• A meaningful role supporting music education for young people across two counties.
• The chance to contribute to a nationally funded, high-impact cultural programme.
• 28 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays - pro rata for part time
• Permanent contract - Part Time, 22.2 Hours per week (0.6 FTE)
  What will I be doing?
  Somerset Council is looking for a Senior Procurement and Finance Officer to support the delivery of the Octagon Music Hub programme across Somerset and Dorset. This is a unique opportunity to combine financial expertise with creative impact, helping ensure that all children and young people have access to high-quality music education.
  Somerset Council, as the Hub Lead Organisation (HLO) for the new Music Hub for Dorset and Somerset, leads a strategic consortium in partnership with Dorset Council and the Octagon Theatre, a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) supported by Arts Council England. This collaborative structure aligns the educational and cultural ambitions of both local authorities, ensuring a unified and inclusive approach to delivering the National Plan for Music Education across the region.

United, they ensure that all children and young people—regardless of background or ability—have access to high-quality, inclusive music education. This integrated approach strengthens the region’s cultural ecosystem and supports progression pathways in music and the wider creative industries.

• Lead procurement and contract management for the Music Hub’s delivery partners.
• Monitor budgets, analyse financial data, and ensure compliance with grant conditions.
• Coordinate a programme of events and implement a communications plan.
• Gather and evaluate data to inform strategic decisions and reporting to Arts Council England.
• Engage with stakeholders and partners to ensure effective delivery and continuous improvement.
• Line manages support staff and represents the Hub at external events and forums.
• Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion across all aspects of the Hub’s work.

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be. But it will really help if you have:

• Experience in procurement, contract management, and financial reporting.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret market and performance data.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience in coordinating events and managing multiple priorities.
• A degree in business administration, project management, or equivalent experience.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.
We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.
What’s in it for me?
We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
• Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Staff discounts in gyms.
• Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
• Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
• A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
• My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more

Anything else I should know?
This position is grade 12, ranging from £16,626 to £18.640 per annum for 22.2 hours per week.
To arrange an informal conversation or for more information about the role, please contact Alison Jeffery, Head of Service, Curriculum and Training via Alison.Jeffery@somerset.gov.uk or Adam Burgan, Arts & Entertainment Venues Manager, via adam.burgan@somerset.gov.uk
Interviews will take place in the week commencing the 28th July 2025
When completing your application/CV please provide your full employment history and ensure that any gaps in employment are explained. Please start with your current or most recent employment.
If you have all the information you need, just hit the apply button - we can’t wait to hear from you.
Job Reference: SCC0561

Please refer the Job description for details