Come and join us as our Early Years Lead (Freelance)

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Early Years Lead to drive and deliver our Early Years (0–5) programme at Sound Connections. 

This is an exciting opportunity to shape a nationally significant programme, working at the intersection of music, early childhood development, and inclusion. You will lead programme delivery, strengthen partnerships, and respond to emerging sector needs, helping ensure all young children can access high-quality, inclusive, and child-led music-making opportunities.

About the role 

With support from the Director, Programme Producer and wider team, you will lead on: 

1. Learning and resources

• Curate and facilitate in-person and online network meetings and national sector conversations
• Commission and deliver training sessions and digital learning resources (e.g. short films, toolkits) ensuring a strong focus on inclusive practice (including SEN/D, anti-racism, and trauma-informed approaches) and child-led music-making
• Design and deliver the Emerging Early Years Music Leaders programme, including:a. Recruitment with a focus on under-represented groups
  b. Delivery of CPD sessions, mentoring, and placements
  c. Supporting leadership progression and reflective practice
  d. Overseeing bursaries and resource creation.

2. Network development & sector engagement

1. Strengthen the London Early Years Music Network (LEYMN)’s national reach, influence, and connectivity
2. Lead research and mapping activity on early years provision and training
3. Build and maintain relationships with Music Hubs, early years settings, and national partners
4. Represent Sound Connections at events and sector networks
5. Contribute to advocacy, publications, and thought leadership.

3. Monitoring, evaluation & learning 

• Capture data and insights across all programme activity 
• Contribute to evaluation and reporting processes 
• Support sector knowledge-sharing and dissemination. 

Key information: 

• Fee: £15,000 (50 days at £300/day) 
• Contract type: Freelance 
• Duration: August/September 2026 – March 2028 
• Location: Hybrid (London delivery + national remote work)
  

Application process

To find out more, please download the full job description and person specification here.  

Pre-application:  

• To get a feel for our work you are warmly invited to our London Early Years Music Network event on Tuesday 30 June – please note this is completely optional and will not sway invitations to interview. You can book your free place here. 

• If you would like to have an informal chat about the role, please email Liz Coomb, Director, via liz@sound-connections.org.uk  

To apply for this role: 

Please submit the following to info@sound-connections.org.uk with the subject line ‘Early Years Lead Application + [your name]’, by 5pm on Thursday 9 July 2026:
 

1. A short proposal either via writing (2 pages max), audio or video (2 minutes max) outlining your:
   1. Relevant experience
   2. Approach to the role
   3. Initial thoughts on priorities
2. Your CV, including two referees, in the format easiest for you, this could be in writing, a slide deck or via audio/video.  

Timeline:  

• Applications deadline 5pm, Thursday 9 July 2026 
• Invitation to online interviews, Tuesday 14 July 
• Interview between 20 and 31 July – you will be provided the questions in advance, and given the option to select which time of day works best for you 
• Contract offered w/c 6 August 
• Start date to be agreed with candidate.  

We have thought about making the application process as clear, simple and accessible as possible, and continue to work on making sure this is the case.   

We would be really pleased to hear from you if you need additional support preparing an application or need us to make reasonable adjustments in order for you to apply.
Please contact liz@sound-connections.org.uk for support.