Jobs at the Book Festival

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is an equal opportunities employer, a Real Living Wage employer, and a Disability Confident Committed empoyer. Our work is framed by a commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

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.


Programme Administrator (Fixed Term)

Contract: full-time, fixed term
Salary: £25,100
 
Would you enjoy a multi-tasking role in a supportive and creative environment? We are looking for an enthusiastic Programme Administrator ( Fixed Term) to assist in running our exciting 2024 Programme and have a role in delivering the 2024 Book Festival from its new home at the beautiful Edinburgh Futures Institute.
 
Closing date for applications: Tuesday 26 th March 2024, 12pm
Interviews: Thursday 4 th and Friday 5th April 2024

Chair of the Board of Trustees

We are seeking a dynamic, visionary and dedicated Chair as we embark on a new and exciting chapter at the Book Festival. We are looking for someone who embodies our values and will act as a credible ambassador for the Festival whilst being able to lead the Board, motivate external support, and inspire the team.

A willingness to fully commit time to the role is necessary as well as the ability to approach the many responsibilities as Chair with enthusiasm and professionalism. This will include, but not limited to: attending Board and Committee Meetings, keeping informal contact with Trustees, team members and stakeholders as well as attending events.

The Chair will serve an initial five-year term, with the potential for the role to be extended for a further three years, at the Board’s discretion.

Closing date for applications: Monday 8 April 2024
Initial meetings for shortlisted candidates: w/c 29 April

Find the full information pack here.
Apply via AEM International here.


Temporary Administrator

Contract: full-time, fixed term
Salary: £25,100
 
Would you enjoy a multi-tasking role in a supportive and creative environment? We are looking for an enthusiastic Temporary Administrator to assist in running our busy year-round office and have a role in delivering the 2024 Book Festival from its new home at the beautiful Edinburgh Futures Institute.
 
Closing date for applications: Sunday 17 March 2024, 12 noon
Interviews: Wednesday 27 March 2024
 

Communities Trainee Writer-in-Residence

Contract: freelance, 10 hrs per week. Fixed Term; 02 April - 31 August 2024
Project Fee: £3,600

Edinburgh International Book Festival is seeking to appoint two Trainee Writers in Residence to work in community and school settings as part of Citizen, our long-term project at the core of the Book Festival’s year-round programme working with communities.

Working with either our Citizen Schools Writer in Residence Ryan Van Winkle and our Citizen Communities Writer in Residence Eleanor Thom in up to three areas of the city and online, engaging with local communities and schools in diverse ways to learn what stories they have to tell, if and how they relate to ideas of place and neighbourhood, and to support them to share these stories as they choose.  
 

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 20 March 2024, 5pm
Interviews: Wednesday 27 March 2024


Box Office Manager - Summer 2024

Contract: Full time, fixed-term contract from Wednesday 5 June — Monday 26 August 2024.
Optional additional hours to help with recruitment during May 2024 (if the applicant is available).
Salary: £16.51 per hour, paid weekly in arrears by bank transfer (plus holiday pay).

This is an on-site role at the Edinburgh International Book Festival office on George Street, Edinburgh, and at our Festival site at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh.

During June the Box Office handles the Friends Advanced Booking weekend and the opening day of sales to the public. Once tickets are on sale, the role will be focused on assisting with sponsor, publisher, author and other complimentary ticket bookings. The role is based at our offices on George Street.

In August, the Box Office team move to our Festival site at the Edinburgh Futures Institute on Lauriston Place, Edinburgh. From here 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.

This is an ideal development opportunity for candidates wishing to build on existing Box Office or customer service management experience, preferably at supervisor level, in a world class festival environment. You will have exceptional customer service skills and the ability to effectively handle any queries or complaints. You'll also have previous experience of supervising, training and mentoring staff in customer-facing environment and a positive, calm manner under pressure.

Closing date for applications: Sunday 7 April 2024, 11:59pm
Interviews: w/c 15 or 22 April 2024


Box Office Supervisor

Contract: Fixed-term contract from Monday 10 June — Monday 26 August 2024, full-time.
Salary: £13.88 per hour, paid weekly in arrears by bank transfer (plus holiday pay).

Would you like to join our lively Box Office team? The Book Festival are looking for a Box Office Supervisor for the 2024 Festival. This is an ideal development opportunity for candidates wishing to build on existing Box Office experience, either at supervisor or assistant level, in a world class festival environment.
This is an on-site role at the Edinburgh International Book Festival office on George Street, Edinburgh, and during August at our Festival site at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh. During this period, the Box Office supervisors will work on a duty management shift system with the Box Office Manager.

Closing date for applications: Sunday 14 April 2024, 23:59
Interviews: w/c 22 April and 29 April 2024


Access Officer

Contract: Fixed-term contract: Tuesday 11 June – Monday 26 August 2024.
Salary: £13.88 per hour, paid weekly in arrears by bank transfer (plus holiday pay).

This is an exciting opportunity to work with a wide range of teams, external stakeholders and customers to help make the Book Festival as accessible as possible. The Access Officer act as a point of contact for our audience, coordinating our accessible programming and liaising with contractors supplying our BSL and caption provision. They will update our reserved seating database, contact customers to confirm requirements and manage access ticket bookings, including group bookings.

The Access Officer will be largely based within the Box Office team, but also be required to work closely with the Front of House team, the Site and Production team, the Marketing team, and the Programme team. The Access Officer will also be a member of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Group.

This is an ideal opportunity for individuals who wish to build on their existing customer service skills in a festival environment, while making the Book Festival as accessible as possible. Previous experience in a similar role would be beneficial. Excellent communication and teamwork skills, and a willingness to learn and adapt quickly are all essential for this role. A good understanding of the barriers that face people attending events is required, preferably through having some lived experience.

Closing date for applications: Sunday 14 April 2024, 23:59
Interviews: w/c 22 April and 29 April 2024

 

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.
 
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