Festival Director - (Fixed-Term), (Part-Time)

Glasgow Life is looking for a Festival Director of Glasgow International, Scotland’s world-renowned biennial festival of contemporary art. This is a fixed term post until 30 September 2028, working between 28 to 35 hours per week, dependant on the phase of the festival.

As Festival Director you’ll hold a key leadership role in taking forward the delivery of Glasgow International, collaborating with the contemporary art community, funders and partner organisations to realise the festival’s ambitions. You’ll lead on the artistic vision and organisational development of Glasgow International, ensuring the festival delivers agreed milestones on time and remains financially stable.

The festival is at an exciting time, with its 20th anniversary year and with renewed support from core funders towards festivals in 2026 and 2028. Following a comprehensive review of Glasgow International, Glasgow Life will be working to develop a new governance structure for the festival, to best support its aims for the future.

This post is a fixed term until 30 September 2028, spanning the delivery and evaluation phases of Glasgow International 2026 and the programming, development, delivery and evaluation phases of Glasgow International 2028.

About Glasgow International

Glasgow International is Scotland's biennial festival of contemporary art. Every two years the festival presents an array of artists' projects across Glasgow by international artists and those based locally, amplifying the city's identity as a vibrant and distinctive centre for artistic production, presentation and cultural organising.

About Glasgow Life’s Arts and Music teams

As Festival Director you’ll be joining Glasgow International, which is part of Glasgow Life’s Arts & Music team. The Arts & Music team provides people with valuable and meaningful experiences through arts and music. Our high-quality services, world-class events and festivals benefit the people of Glasgow. We help people experience the benefits of taking part in cultural programmes and events. These contribute to Glasgow's visitor economy. We make sure everyone gets the most out of Glasgow Life and use culture to promote inclusion and happiness. Read more on our website.

About Glasgow Life

Glasgow Life is the charity which inspires people to lead richer, more active lives through culture and sport. Simply put, we believe that everyone deserves a great Glasgow life. We do this by delivering innovative cultural and sporting programmes and events which improve the mental, physical, and economic well-being of Glasgow. Glasgow Life also creates unforgettable experiences for tourists, strengthening the city’s visitor economy. We stage world-class events, conferences and festivals which enhance Glasgow’s international reputation. Glasgow is the first city to be named European Capital of Sport twice sport and was also the first place in the UK to be named a UNESCO City of Music.

The role

As Festival Director, you’ll play a central role in leading and developing the festival towards editions in 2026 and 2028. You will report to Glasgow Life senior leadership team and be part of the wider conversation with key stakeholders around the future governance structure of the festival.

The candidate

If you’re interested in joining us as Glasgow International Festival Director you’ll need:

• Leadership experience within the contemporary arts or closely related sector;

• Extensive knowledge of the contemporary art sector in Glasgow, Scotland and internationally;

• Proven track record of curating ambitious contemporary art projects;

• Good communication, listening and organisational skills, with proven track record of ability to collaborate with a wide range of partners;

• A proven track record in successfully raising funds from trusts, foundations, government agencies and individual donors;

• The ability to think strategically and to work with others, with knowledge of best practice in the governance of contemporary arts organisations;

• Lived experience of marginalisation within the cultural sector, as a result of racialised, gendered or ableist structures; or evidence of your commitment to increasing access to the cultural sector for marginalised individuals.

You can read the full person specification for this role under the ‘Job Attachments’ section.

Some of our roles are currently piloting hybrid working, with teams working between the office and home. Your line manager will agree these days with you. This balance enables you to continue much-needed collaborative working.

Our office at Tramway, 25 Albert Drive, Glasgow, G41 2PE, has great links to public transport and parking nearby.

Please note: The hours related to this role vary between 28 hours to 35 hours per week, dependent on the phase of the festival. The working schedule for the role is:

· 35 hours per week until 30 September 2026

· From 1 October 2026 until 1 June 2027, hours change to 28 hours a week

· After that the hours increase to 35 hours per week until 30 September 2028.

Standard working hours are Mon-Fri from 10am to 6pm, with some evening and weekend working required. Flexible working hours can be arranged with your line manager.

Important Dates: Closing date 23 March 2025 and first stage interviews are provisionally scheduled for the week of 7 April 2025

We believe in the transformational power of the programmes and events we provide for the people and visitors of Glasgow. If you would like to be a part of what we do, we’d love to hear from you.

Benefits at Glasgow Life

• 30 days holiday allowance plus 6.5 public holidays (for full-time roles). After 5 years completed service, the entitlement will increase to 35 days from the next annual leave year

• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme

• Discounted Glasgow Club membership and money off in our museum shops and online store

• Option to buy extra annual leave

• Cycle-to-work scheme

• And much more!

Please note that Glasgow Life, as an ALEO to Glasgow City Council, is currently completing a Job Evaluation exercise and introducing a new pay and grading structure which may impact on current salaries quoted in job adverts.

Diversity matters at Glasgow Life

We're determined to reflect the extraordinary diversity of Glasgow in our workforce. Glasgow Life is on a journey to develop a workplace that reflects the communities we serve. Where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We're a Disability Confident and Carer Positive employer and invite candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Read more about our commitment to equality and diversity on our website.