At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations for the Edinburgh International Book Festival and ensure smooth event delivery.
- Company: Join a vibrant charity dedicated to promoting books, writing, and ideas.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with a passion for literature and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the literary world while managing exciting events.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in fast-paced environments and strong event management skills.
Contract Full-time, permanent (We welcome proposals for flexible working arrangements)
Salary £50,000 per annum
The Director of Operations for Edinburgh International Book Festival [EIBF] sits at the intersection of programme delivery, organisational management and operational leadership. The role combines events delivery with charity-wide management. This ensures that EIBF runs smoothly, festivals and events happen effectively, and all activity aligns with our charitable objectives and purpose.
The Director of Operations will lead all operational and logistical aspects of the annual Book Festival and year-round programmes. They will ensure effective governance, efficient systems, safe and compliant event delivery, and ensure resources are allocated appropriately to support the charity’s mission to promote engagement with, and enjoyment of, books, writing and ideas. They will manage relationships and contracts with site and production teams, and a range of other key stakeholders and partners. They will own and actively manage policy and systems management in the organisation, including oversight of digital infrastructure, as well as lead the HR function in a busy organisation.
Success in the role will balance the following elements:
- Leading the operational delivery of the Festival and programmes including effective stewarding of key relationships and contractors
- Optimising the culture of EIBF through effective management of HR and internal processes
- Effective management of EIBF planning, systems and processes, including digital transformation.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Strategic operations
- Strategic contribution
- Festival delivery
- People and resource management
- Governance and compliance
- Systems and process improvement
- Leadership and team management
Essential Person specification:
- Significant senior operational leadership experience within a complex, fast paced organisation
- Proven experience translating organisational strategy into effective operational delivery, systems and processes
- Experience leading organisational change, growth or transformation while maintaining operational resilience
- Strong experience delivering complex live events or public programmes, including logistics, production, venues, and supplier management
- Experience managing contracts, procurement processes, and strategic operational partnerships
- Strong understanding of governance, compliance, risk management, and health and safety
- Experience leading HR processes, people management, and organisational culture development
- Experience delivering systems development, digital transformation, or process improvement projects
- Strong understanding of organisational infrastructure including IT, CRM, ticketing, and data governance
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to work strategically while remaining practical and hands-on in a small, agile organisation
Key Dates: Closing date for applications: Monday 29th June 2026. Interviews will be held in central Edinburgh during the week of 6th July. Remote interview requests will be considered but in person is preferred.
Director of Operations in Edinburgh employer: Edinburgh International Book Festival
The Edinburgh International Book Festival is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters creativity and collaboration. With a commitment to flexible working arrangements, competitive salary, and a focus on employee growth, EIBF provides unique opportunities for professional development while promoting a culture of engagement with literature and ideas. Working in the heart of Edinburgh, employees benefit from a vibrant cultural scene and the chance to contribute to meaningful charitable objectives.
Contact Details:
Edinburgh International Book Festival Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Operations in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with others on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. This will help you articulate your experience and skills confidently when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Operations in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in operational leadership and event management. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at EIBF, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Experience:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific examples of how you've successfully managed complex live events or led organisational change. We love seeing concrete results, so include metrics or outcomes where possible to demonstrate your impact.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application! We’re looking for someone who can optimise our culture and lead a team effectively, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for books and the arts in your writing.
Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets to us without a hitch, please apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details and can consider you for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Edinburgh International Book Festival
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the Edinburgh International Book Festival's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their past events and how they align with their charitable objectives. This will show that you're genuinely interested and can contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your previous roles that demonstrate your operational leadership skills, especially in managing complex events. Highlight your experience with logistics, stakeholder management, and any successful transformations you've led. This will help them see how you can bring value to their team.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Come prepared with insightful questions about their current challenges or future plans. This not only shows your interest but also your strategic thinking. For instance, ask about their approach to digital transformation or how they manage relationships with key stakeholders.
✨Be Yourself
While it's important to be professional, don't forget to let your personality shine through. The Director of Operations role requires strong leadership and communication skills, so being authentic will help them gauge how well you'd fit into their organisational culture.
