Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, programming exciting performances for young audiences.
- Company: Imaginate enriches children's lives through theatre and dance, with a strong international profile.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, a competitive salary, and the chance to shape arts for young people.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team dedicated to making a difference in children's arts and culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in arts programming and a passion for engaging young audiences are essential.
- Other info: We welcome diverse voices and encourage applications from under-represented groups.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 52000 ÂŁ per year.
Imaginate is recruiting for a new Festival Director for the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival. The Festival Director is a vital role in ensuring the ongoing success of the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival and supporting the work of the Scottish arts sector for young audiences. The future of the Festival is within their vision.
Salary: ÂŁ46,000
Reporting to: Chief Executive
Location: Edinburgh. Hybrid working policy three days a week in the office (Mon, Wed, Thu)
Contract: Five-year tenure with a reviewed option to extend to ten years. Full time contract subject to 6 month probation period.
The primary purpose of the Festival Director is to programme and support the delivery of the internationally acclaimed annual Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, ensuring a high-quality programme of performing arts is available for children and young people throughout Scotland. It will be the responsibility of the Festival Director to identify exceptional theatre, dance and circus performances for young audiences to be presented each year at the Festival. The programme should be representative of the world around us, reflecting, resonating and expanding the world view of children in Scotland.
The Festival Director will be passionate about the importance of work for young audiences and bring their own vision for the Children’s Festival, with an understanding of how to deliver this vision. They will understand the depth of work for young audiences nationally and internationally and recognise that “children are first and foremost fully fledged people – with a corresponding emotional and mental world.” Imaginate has a strong and vital international profile and the Festival Director will be comfortable representing Imaginate and the Children’s Festival internationally, nationally and locally from the council to the classroom.
Imaginate is as strong as the people who work for us, and the Festival Director will be an excellent addition to the team collaborating and contributing to our core purpose, to enrich the lives of children in Scotland through theatre and dance performances.
We strive to be an organisation that is open and welcoming and where different voices can flourish. We are particularly interested in recruiting a global majority candidate or someone who feels their voice is currently under-represented in the arts. As an organisation we also have a commitment to accessibility and equality. If there are any specific access requirements you need in order to apply for and in order to fulfil the position please let us know.
If you have any questions, are concerned about your experience in certain areas or want a confidential conversation before applying, please email Chief Executive Belinda McElhinney.
Deadline: Sunday 8 June (midnight)
How to apply: Please download and read the full recruitment pack here before applying. If you meet all of the essential criteria and you feel that the role is right for you, please send a covering letter and a CV to vacancies@imaginate.org.uk following the notes included in the pack. Please also complete our anonymous Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion survey.
Contact Detail:
Creative Entrepreneurs Club (CEC) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Festival Director Imaginate
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival and its past programmes. Understanding the festival's history and its impact on young audiences will help you articulate your vision for its future.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the arts sector, especially those focused on children's programming. Attend related events or workshops to build connections that could support your application and demonstrate your commitment to the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your vision for the festival during interviews. Think about how you would curate a diverse and engaging programme that resonates with children and reflects their experiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your understanding of accessibility and inclusion in the arts. Be ready to share ideas on how to make the festival more accessible to all children, ensuring that every voice is represented.
We think you need these skills to ace Festival Director Imaginate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before you start writing, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of the Festival Director position. Read the job description carefully and note down key points that resonate with your experience.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your passion for children's arts and your vision for the festival. Highlight your relevant experience in programming and delivering high-quality performances for young audiences, and explain how you can contribute to Imaginate's mission.
Tailor Your CV: Ensure your CV is tailored to the role by emphasising your experience in the arts sector, particularly with children’s programming. Include specific achievements and projects that demonstrate your ability to curate engaging performances.
Follow Application Instructions: Make sure to follow the application instructions precisely as outlined in the recruitment pack. Submit your covering letter and CV to the specified email address and complete the Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion survey to ensure your application is considered.
How to prepare for a job interview at Creative Entrepreneurs Club (CEC)
✨Show Your Passion for Children's Arts
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for theatre, dance, and circus performances aimed at young audiences. Share specific examples of how you've engaged with children's arts in the past and why you believe it's important.
✨Demonstrate Your Vision
Prepare to discuss your vision for the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival. Think about how you would programme performances that reflect and resonate with the diverse experiences of children in Scotland.
✨Highlight Collaborative Experience
Since the role involves working closely with various stakeholders, be ready to share examples of successful collaborations you've been part of. Emphasise your ability to work with artists, educators, and community members to enrich children's lives through the arts.
✨Understand Accessibility and Inclusion
Familiarise yourself with Imaginate's commitment to accessibility and equality. Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure that the festival is inclusive and welcoming to all children, particularly those from under-represented backgrounds.
