The Book Festival is a working environment where everyone is treated fairly, and our differences are celebrated as strengths. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply for available positions. If you have any specific access requirements, please let us know and we will do our best to meet your needs.
Vacancies
When a position becomes available we'll post the details here. We also publicise vacancies through our social media channels - Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X/Twitter - so do keep an eye on those too.
Author Hospitality Manager
Contract: Full-time, temporary contract: Monday 4 August – Monday 25 August 2025, Plus Logistics Day end July (Date TBC)
Rate of Pay: £16.51 per hour + holiday pay.
We’re looking for an experienced, organised, and personable Author Hospitality Manager to lead our participant-facing team at this year’s festival. This pivotal role involves overseeing the smooth delivery of hospitality for our visiting authors, managing schedules, coordinating staff, and ensuring a warm, professional welcome at every stage of their festival experience. You’ll bring strong leadership skills, experience in a customer-facing role, and a calm, flexible approach to managing people and logistics. A background in catering for large events, excellent communication and administrative abilities, and a commitment to inclusivity and teamwork are essential. Experience with live literature events, food handling certification, or knowledge of health and safety regulations a plus.
Find the job description here.
Apply via our online portal here.
Closing date for applications: Monday 19 May, 23:59
Interviews: w/c 26 May
Author Hospitality Assistants
Contract: Full-time and part-time positions available, temporary contract: Thursday 7 August – Monday 25 August 2025
Rate of Pay: £12.60 per hour + holiday pay.
We’re looking for enthusiastic, friendly, and organised Author Hospitality Assistants for this year’s festival, with both full-time and part-time positions available. You’ll ideally have experience in a customer service or hospitality role, along with excellent interpersonal skills and a professional, welcoming manner. The role involves liaising with authors and ensuring their experience at the festival is smooth and enjoyable, so a calm approach, strong attention to detail, and the ability to multitask under pressure are essential. A background in events or hospitality is desirable.
Find the job description here.
Apply via our online portal here.
Closing date for applications: Monday 19 May, 23:59
Interviews: w/c 26 May
Box Office Assistant
Contract: Fixed-term from Wednesday 6 August — Sunday 24 August 2025, full-time.
Rate of Pay: £12.60 per hour (plus holiday pay).
This is an ideal opportunity for individuals who wish to build on their existing box office and customer service skills in a high-pressure festival environment. Excellent customer service and communication skills, enthusiasm, and an ability to work effectively as part of a small team are all essential for this role.
The August Box Office team are based in the Edinburgh Futures Institute on Lauriston Place, Edinburgh. We operate a box office counter and a telephone room. During the Festival, the Box Office is usually open 09:30-21:00 daily, but occasionally stays open later depending on the timing of the last event. Box Office Assistants may also be asked to help staff the Access desk as required.
Front of House Assistant
Contract: Full time, temporary contract: Wednesday 6 August – Sunday 24 August 2025
Rate of Pay: £12.60 per hour + holiday pay.
We’re looking for enthusiastic, motivated, and hardworking Front of House Assistants for this year’s festival. Ideally, you’ll have previous experience in a customer-facing role, high standards of presentation and confident communication skills. You will also have the ability to work as part of a large team, problem solve under pressure and a strong attention to detail.
Closing deadline: Sunday 11 May, 23:59
Interviews: w/c 26 May and 2 June
Front of House Supervisor
Contract: Full time, temporary contract: Monday 4 August – Monday 25 August 2025
Contract: £14.30 per hour + holiday pay.
This is an ideal opportunity for individuals who wish to build on their existing customer service skills in a high-pressure festival environment. Excellent customer service and communication skills, enthusiasm, and an ability to work effectively as part of a team are all essential for this role.
Closing deadline: Sunday 11 May, 23:59
Interviews: w/c 26 May and 2 June
Information about temporary Festival staff recruitment
We employ many dedicated and enthusiastic temporary staff each year including short-term staff during August and longer term staff from April/May to September. We expect hard work, commitment, an interest in the arts and a positive, enthusiastic attitude. In return you get a fantastic learning experience that is loads of fun and the opportunity to make valuable contacts. Additional perks include discounted books and access to some of the world's greatest author events. Because of the huge number of applications we receive, and the relative shortness of the contracts, relevant experience is a must.
Please be aware that:
- We are unable to contribute to accommodation, living and travel expenses.
- We do not appoint without interview.
- All candidates will be asked to show evidence of their eligibility to work in the UK if selected for interview.
- We do not accept speculative applications for positions which are not listed on this page.
- We do not offer work experience, unpaid internships, or volunteering opportunities.
Line-up announced for 2025’s The Front List series 
