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.

Box Office Manager

Contract: Full time, fixed-term contract from Tuesday 6 June — Monday 25 August 2025.
Rate of pay: £16.51 per hour
 

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 period 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 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. ambitions.
 
 
Closing date for applications: Sunday 16 March 2025, 23:59
Interviews will be held: w/c 24 March 2025
 

Brochure Coordinator

Contract: Fixed-term, part-time (28 hours/week) contract, 24 March – 30 May 2025
Fee: £4,500 for 36 days’ work (7 hours/day, 4 days/week for 9 weeks). 
 
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly organised freelancer with a keen eye for design and detail. The role of Brochure Co-ordinator leads on the project management of the public Festival brochure, in collaboration with the Brand Manager and Brochure Artworker, as well as supporting with elements of the digital-only Schools brochure. The role is a key connector between the Programme and Brand & Audiences departments, and the Brochure Artworker, ensuring that information appearing in the brochure design is correct, and appropriately filed, formatted, and supplied to artwork. 
 
 
Closing date for applications: Sunday 23 February 2025, 5pm
Interviews will be held: Thursday 27 and Friday 28 February at the Book Festival offices at 121 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4YN (for local candidates) or on Zoom if preferred.

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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