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.


Brand Manager

Contract: Full-time, permanent. We welcome proposals for flexible working arrangements. 
Salary: £36,000 per annum

The role of Brand Manager is multi-faceted, operating across a wide range of channels and assets, and responsive to the organisation’s different needs and focus throughout its yearly cycle. It will deliver a range of projects across brand and marketing, from the Festival’s iconic brochure and venue dressing, to site signage and targeted advertising campaigns. It is a key connector role, developing strong cross-departmental relationships to ensure that the Festival’s brand is consistently understood and represented across all assets produced by the organisation and its functions.

Find the full job description here.
Apply via our online portal here.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 20 November at 17.00
Interviews will be held: w/c 25 November 2024


Development Director

Contract: Full-time, permanent. We welcome proposals for flexible working arrangements. 
Salary: Starting at £50,000 to £55,000 per annum 

We have an exciting and creative opportunity for a new Development Director to be a key member of the Senior Management team, leading an ambitious fundraising strategy for the Book Festival while ensuring that all fundraising activities align with our core organisational mission and values.

The Book Festival expects to raise about £2.1m in 2024 (representing around two-thirds of the total Festival income). The Festival retains much of its funding on an annual basis, has increased the amount raised from several major funding relationships, and has a strong track record in attracting new sponsors, donors and funders, with around 50 organisations sponsoring the Festival each year as well as a number of well-established major donors.

Reporting to the Festival Director and overseeing a team of five fundraisers, the Development Director will manage a small high-value portfolio of funding relationships across all income streams and will have significant opportunity to develop new income streams, including legacies and US fundraising, as well as continuing the growth of the existing areas of income.

Find the full job description here.
Apply via our online portal here.

Closing date for applications: Monday 11 November at 12.00 midday
Interviews will be held: w/c 18 November 2024


Members of the Board of Trustees

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is looking for several new members to join the Book Festival’s Board of Trustees. We are seeking to appoint trustees with specific skills, experience, and interest in any of the following areas:
 
  • Writing and/or illustration (based in Scotland)
  • Publishing/media (wider UK)
  • Finance and risk
  • Law
  • Community engagement/creative learning
  • Sustainability/climate emergency
Closing date for applications: Monday 25 November 2024, 16.00
 
Meetings with prospective trustees will be held in central Edinburgh on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 December 2024 (online interviews also possible on request).
 
KEY INFORMATION:
 
  • Board meetings take place four times per year in March, June, October, and December. Meetings are held in central Edinburgh and take place during the day. There is the option to join remotely.
  • Trustees are appointed for a term of 5 years initially, with the option to stand for re-election for an additional 3-year period.
  • This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings (including costs of childcare) and other Festival related activities will be paid.
  • The Edinburgh International Book Festival’s work is framed by a commitment to equality, diversity, care, and inclusion.
  • We want to create a working environment where everyone is treated fairly and our differences are celebrated as strengths. We actively encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. We also welcome applications from younger people in the early stages of their careers (aged 21-35) who are keen to build their board and strategic leadership experience.
  • For any questions, please contact our Executive Assistant, Danielle McCann danielle.mccann@edbookfest.co.uk in the first instance to arrange a call.

Download the recruitment pack here.


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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