Roger Wright, the controller of Radio 3 and director of the BBC Proms, is to leave the BBC after more than 15 years in charge of the station.
Wright will depart the £227,000 a year role in September to become chief executive of the Aldeburgh music festival and performance centre in Suffolk.
A former executive at Deutsche Grammophon, Wright has been controller of Radio 3 since 1998 and director of the Proms since 2007.
Wright said: "I am honoured to have been invited to lead Aldeburgh Music at such an exciting time in its development.
"However, I am sorry to be leaving the BBC, having enjoyed such a long and fulfilling period at Radio 3 and the BBC Proms, and with the arts due to be such a key part of its immediate future under Tony Hall's leadership.
"I am fortunate indeed to have been able to work with fantastically creative and hard-working colleagues."
BBC director general Tony Hall said: "Over the last 15 years Roger has made a huge contribution to the BBC, through the success of both Radio 3 and seven seasons of the Proms.
"He has been a fantastic champion of classical music across the BBC and has raised the profile of the Proms every year. We wish him well at Aldeburgh Music and will be looking to build on his achievements at Radio 3 and the Proms."
Wright, 57, was previously a senior producer at the BBC symphony orchestra and artistic administrator of the Cleveland Orchestra.
His role, as controller of Radio 3 and director of the Proms, paid Wright a salary of £219,650 and total remuneration of £227,450.
Director of BBC radio Helen Boaden described him as "a unique and brilliant talent".
"In the 15 years he has spent as controller of Radio 3 and seven seasons he has led the BBC Proms he has displayed an unwavering commitment to quality, courage in introducing new kinds of music and developing exciting collaborations, and massive ambition on behalf of audiences," said Boaden.
"He has driven the distinctiveness of Radio 3 by developing a unique blend of music and speech programming, and creating special events like the Free Thinking festival. He is one of a kind and we are going to miss him hugely but wish him every success in his wonderful new job."
The BBC said recruitment for the post would "begin in due course".
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