Sound Progression Launches Recruitment for New Artist Manager Trainee Role

arts.wales; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 20,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading youth music organization in Cardiff seeks an Artist Manager Trainee for a freelance role. This year-long position offers valuable hands-on experience in artist management, digital marketing, and live event coordination. You will support emerging Welsh artists, helping them build their profiles and release new music. The program aims to create inclusive pathways into the music industry. The position requires a commitment to 25 hours/week, including evenings and weekends, with a fee of £19,500 pro rata.

Qualifications

• Passion for artist management and the music industry.
• Willingness to learn and develop practical skills.
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours.

Responsibilities

• Support emerging Welsh artists in building their profiles.
• Assist in planning and executing music releases.
• Engage in industry networking to enhance artist exposure.

Skills

Artist management

Digital marketing

Live event coordination

Industry networking

Release planning

Job description

Sound Progression, one of Wales’s leading youth music organisations, has opened applications for a new Artist Manager Trainee role as part of its InMotion2Industry programme, funded by Arts Council of Wales and the Ed Sheeran Foundation.

This year-long freelance opportunity offers hands‑on experience for an aspiring creative professional interested in gaining practical skills in artist management, release planning, digital marketing, live event coordination and industry networking. The role includes structured mentoring from Sound Progression’s leadership team alongside guidance from a range of respected industry professionals.

Based in Cardiff, Sound Progression delivers more than 150 hours of free music activity each week across seven Cardiff Youth Service centres, supporting young people aged 11–25 to develop their confidence, skills and artistic identity. The organisation has a strong track record of nurturing emerging talent, providing platforms through showcases, festivals and partnerships with venues such as Clwb Ifor Bach, Green Man, Big Love and In It Together.

The Artist Manager Trainee will play a key role in supporting up to eight emerging Welsh artists to build their profiles, release new music and develop their careers. The programme is designed to broaden access to the music industries by developing new, inclusive pathways into employment and professional practice.

Sound Progression welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds and is particularly keen to hear from those who are currently underrepresented within the creative and cultural sectors in Wales. Welsh speakers are also encouraged to apply.

Contract: Freelance, January–December 2026
Fee: £19,500 pro rata (£15/hr, 25 hours per week including some evenings/weekends)
Location: Cardiff and partner venues, with some remote working
Deadline for applications: 5.30pm, Monday 12 January 2026
Interviews: Friday 16 January 2026 at Grassroots, Cardiff city centre