At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the artistic vision and creative strategy for Hay Festival UK, shaping programming and initiatives.
- Company: Hay Festival UK is a leading cultural platform for literature and interdisciplinary exchange.
- Benefits: Contribute to a charitable mission while ensuring commercial sustainability and audience growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with various teams including Development, Marketing, and Education.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a prestigious festival with a focus on creativity and strategic impact.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in creative leadership and strategic thinking within cultural organisations.
Purpose of the Role
The Creative Director is responsible for defining and leading the artistic vision, creative strategy and public programme framework for Hay Festival UK. The postholder will shape the future direction of Hay Festival's creative offer, ensuring the organisation remains one of the world's leading cultural platforms for literature, ideas and interdisciplinary exchange. The role combines creative leadership, strategic thinking and organisational influence, balancing artistic excellence with audience growth, fundraising opportunities and commercial sustainability.
The Creative Director will lead the Creative Directorate through the Creative Team ensuring a coherent, ambitious and distinctive programme across festivals, year-round events, digital content and new initiatives. Working closely with colleagues across Development, Commercial, Marketing, Operations, Education and International teams, the Creative Director will ensure creative activity contributes to Hay Festival's charitable mission, strategic objectives and long-term growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and lead Hay Festival UK's Creative Strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives, charitable purposes, commercial objectives and brand values.
- Establish the artistic priorities, themes and editorial direction that shape all UK programming.
Creative Director employer: HAY FESTIVAL
Hay Festival UK offers a unique opportunity to lead creative initiatives in a vibrant cultural setting. Located in Hay-on-Wye, it promotes literature and ideas through year-round events and festivals. Join a passionate team dedicated to fostering interdisciplinary exchange and community engagement.
