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.

We are on the lookout for an enthusiastic, pro-active individual to join our Development team in a new permanent Development Assistant role. The post will be exciting, busy, and varied with the Development Assistant responsible for supporting the operations of the Development team and helping to deliver truly excellent supporter care. It is a wonderful opportunity for someone looking to develop a wide range of skills in fundraising and/or event management

We are looking to appoint a new Sponsorship and Partnerships Officer to join the Book Festival’s high-performing, enthusiastic Development Team. This is a varied, busy and creative post, requiring a high degree of organisation, flexibility and professionalism. An ability and willingness to think creatively and work flexibly will be key. This role is an excellent opportunity for someone to gain a broad range of sponsorship and partnership experience and to help innovate to take the Book Festival’s fundraising efforts to the next level.

We’re looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic individual to join our Programme Team in 2024 as Communities Programme Assistant. Collaboration is key to this role as is experience in arts administration and a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. The Communities Programme brings authors, artists, and audiences together to inspire each other, share stories and experiences, and bring books to life for people of all ages in their own communities, and the chosen candidate will work closely with the Community Programme Director and Creative Learning Manager, taking the lead on the administration and logistical support of all Book Festival Communities Programme projects and events.

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic, hard-working Marketing Assistant to be part of our Book Festival team next year. The Marketing Assistant role will be a vital part of the Marketing and Communications team in the run up to the 2024 Festival, assisting with a variety of tasks - from content creation and scheduling, proof-reading, copy-editing, image curation, print distribution, and administration - to help deliver an amazing festival.

The Programme Manager is a stimulating role within the Programme team. They act as a key liaison across the organisation and with external partners, authors, and members of the industry.

The role requires an organised, detail-focused, creative, and motivated person with strong project management and communication skills. They should be excited to work with the Book Festival team on creative programming ideas and have the skills to bring these ideas to life.

The Programme Manager supports the development, management, and delivery of a world-class festival programme, in line with our organisational values of quality, responsibility, equality, engagement, and courage.

We are looking for a new team member who is excited about programming at the Book Festival and wants to work in a small, collaborative, and creative team to make things happen. The successful candidate will be supported by the Programme Director (Adults) to shape, produce, and deliver a diverse range of innovative projects and events.

Essential skills and knowledge:

Extensive and high level administrative and project management experience.

A knowledge of the publishing and literary landscape in the UK.

Experience in recruiting and managing temporary staff members.

Management of multiple and often competing priorities and working to tight deadlines whilst maintaining the highest standards of delivery.

Strong communication skills including experience with confidently and proactively communicating detailed information to diverse groups.

Computer literacy (including Microsoft Office, Teams, Zoom, and databases) and the aptitude to quickly learn new systems.

Excellent organisation, planning and prioritising skills, with the ability to work quickly, accurately, and consistently.

The ability and confidence to welcome and host authors and guests on site at the Book Festival.

The ability to develop and maintain diverse relationships and creative partnerships.

The ability to translate ideas into interesting and deliverable projects.

We are looking to appoint a new Creative Learning Manager to be part of our Book Festival team. The Creative Learning manager is an active and creative member of the Programme Team, making a vital contribution to the development and delivery of the August Festival and the year-round Communities programmes. This is a varied and engaging role for a creative, organised, proactive individual with strong skills in project management, collaboration, relationship building.

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 including:

• Bookselling

• Marketing

• Writing and/or Illustration for Adult and/or Children’s Literature

• Publishing - Scottish, UK and international

• Sustainability/Climate

• Scots, Gaelic and other indigenous languages

• Fundraising/Commercial

Download role description for Members of the Board here

KEY INFORMATION:

• Meetings with prospective trustees will be held at the Book Festival offices, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN on Monday 19 June and the afternoon of Wednesday 21 June. (shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend on one of those dates.)

• Board meetings take place five times per year. Meetings are held in central Edinburgh and take place during the day.

• 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.

• We are keen the board of Trustees at the Edinburgh International Book Festival represents a range of experiences and perspectives. With that in mind we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. This includes but isn’t limited to those who have experienced racism, are disabled, or identify as neurodivergent, are trans, non-binary and/or queer, and people from working class/lower socio-economic backgrounds. We also actively encourage applications from Young Professionals in the early stages of their careers (aged 21-35) who are keen to build practical, hands-on strategic leadership experience.

• Successful applicants will be asked to complete a short (half day) induction and will have an opportunity to shadow existing Trustees as board observers before joining the board as a full member.

We are looking for an experienced Administrator who enjoys learning, rises well to a challenge and loves to work collaboratively in a lively, dynamic environment. The Administrator will play an important role in ensuring the Festival team receives the administrative support needed to deliver the different aspects of the August Festival and meet our year-round organisational objectives.

This is a varied and engaging role for an organised and motivated person who is an effective communicator, works well to deadlines and responds positively to sometimes changeable administrative demands.

As the Book Festival develops an exciting new chapter in its story, help take our corporate fundraising to a new level. As our Sponsorship & Partnerships Manager (Maternity Cover) you will be part of our creative and high-performing Development Team. You will be responsible for excellent management and stewardship of a portfolio of key major sponsors, and for the prospecting and acquisition of new organisations to approach. Quickly building strong relationships will be key. The role presents an exciting opportunity for an ambitious individual to make a significant impact on the work of the Book Festival.

We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. If you have any specific access requirements, please let us know and we will do our best to meet your needs.

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 acts as a point of contact for our audience, coordinating our accessible programming and liaising with contractors and customers.

We’re looking for someone with a commitment to high levels of customer service, a good understanding of the barriers that face people when attending events, and who is self-motivated and passionate about improving access and inclusion. You will have strong communication skills, excellent attention to detail and a positive, flexible manner. Experience of the VIA ticketing system and of working in a festival or arts venue would be an advantage.

We are seeking a temporary Box Office Manager for this year's Festival. This is an ideal development opportunity for candidates wishing to build on existing Box Office experience, preferably at supervisor level, in a world class festival environment. You'll have experience of providing excellent customer service in a demanding environment and great communication skills, the ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a team, and to lead and motivate others. Experience of the VIA ticketing system and the Edinburgh Festivals would be an advantage.

The Edinburgh International Book Festival, a non-profit making organisation, is a distinctive international showcase celebrating the written word, literature and ideas. It brings leading and emerging international, British and Scottish authors and thinkers together to inspire each other and audiences in an extensive programme of public events.

As the Book Festival is embarking on an exciting new chapter in its story, help us take our fundraising efforts to a new level. As our Sponsorship & Partnerships Officer you will be part of our creative and high-performing Development Team, and will be responsible for managing a portfolio of in-kind and cash sponsors and prospecting for new organisations to approach. You will be highly organised, great at communicating with sponsors, and will bring relevant corporate fundraising experience. We will give you the support and opportunity to develop your skills, liaising with sponsors to deliver the exciting range of sponsor benefits on offer.