At a Glance
- Tasks: Help plan and promote the NI Science Festival, engaging audiences through creative marketing.
- Company: Join one of Europe’s leading science festivals in a vibrant and inclusive environment.
- Benefits: Earn £14.13 per hour, gain valuable experience, and work with passionate professionals.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for growth and networking in the cultural sector.
- Why this job: Make science fun and accessible while developing your skills in a dynamic festival setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in marketing or events, strong communication skills, and a passion for creativity.
The predicted salary is between 14.13 - 14.13 £ per hour.
Contract
Fixed-term (September 2026 – March 2027)
Hours
30 hours per week until end of January 2027, full time in February 2027
Location
Belfast (with travel across Northern Ireland as required)
Reports to
- Marketing Manager and Creative Producer
- About NI Science Festival
The Northern Ireland Science Festival is one of Europe’s leading science festivals, delivering an ambitious programme of events that inspires people of all ages to engage with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics).
Each February, the Festival presents over 300 events across Northern Ireland, working with leading scientists, artists, cultural organisations, universities and community partners.
Purpose of the Role
The Festival Officer plays an important role in the successful planning, promotion and delivery of the NI Science Festival.
Working across marketing, audience engagement, visitor services and administration, the postholder will support the Festival team to maximise audience reach, deliver excellent visitor experiences and contribute to the smooth running of the organisation.
The role will work alongside the Marketing Manager and Creative Producer on managing box office administration, coordinating digital marketing activity, creating engaging social media content, supporting audience development and assisting with evaluation and reporting.
Key Responsibilities
- Marketing and Communications
- Support the delivery of the Festival’s annual marketing campaign.
- Create engaging content for Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and You Tube, including photography, video, graphics and written copy.
- Work along with the Marketing Manager on the Festival’s social media channels, scheduling content and responding to audience enquiries where appropriate.
- Monitor social media performance and provide regular analytics and recommendations.
- Assist with email marketing campaigns and website updates.
- Work with designers, photographers and external agencies to deliver marketing materials.
- Uploading events to the Festival website ahead of full programme launch.
- Capturing live content during the festival.
- Ensure all communications reflect the Festival’s brand, tone of voice and accessibility standards.
- Box Office and Audience Services
- Act as contact for the Festival’s ticketing and box office systems.
- Liaise with our main box office provider Visit Belfast and with key venues who also provide us with box office services including the MAC in Belfast.
- Monitor ticket sales and prepare regular sales reports.
- Respond promptly to customer enquiries relating to bookings, accessibility and event information.
- Work closely with venues and partners to ensure accurate ticketing information is maintained.
- Support customer service before and during the Festival.
- Visitor Experience
- Help develop a welcoming, inclusive and accessible visitor experience across Festival events.
- Support audience information, signage and visitor communications.
- Assist with accessibility initiatives, customer feedback and audience engagement activities.
- Work with tourism and destination partners to help promote the Festival as a visitor attraction.
- Support volunteer coordination where required.
- Festival Administration
- Provide administrative support across all areas of Festival planning.
- Maintain databases, filing systems and project documentation.
- Assist with event logistics and operational planning.
- Liaise with venues, suppliers and delivery partners.
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Ensure festival evaluation survey is distributed to audiences during and post festival.
- Assist with collating visitor feedback and evaluation data.
- Support the analysis of ticket sales, attendance figures and audience demographics.
- Help with preparation of reports for funders, partners and stakeholders.
- Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying audience insights and lessons learned.
- Festival Delivery
- Support the delivery of Festival events throughout February and early March.
- Be available to work evenings and weekends during busy periods and entire Festival period of 10-21 February 2027.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties consistent with the role.
Person Specification
- Two years experience working in marketing, communications, events or a similar creative role.
- GCSE Maths and English, grade C or above.
- Experience working in festivals, arts, tourism or the cultural sector.
- Excellent written communication skills with the ability to write engaging content for different audiences.
- Experience using social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and You Tube in a professional capacity.
- Strong organisational and administrative skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Experience using Google Drive and cloud-based systems.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work to tight deadlines.
- Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
- Confidence working independently as well as part of a small team.
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends during Festival delivery.
- Experience using Canva, Adobe Creative Suite or similar design software.
- Experience using ticketing or CRM systems.
- Experience of managing an event.
- Driving Licence and access to a car.
- Photography and video production/editing skills.
- Experience using website content management systems.
- Experience using email marketing platforms such as Mailchimp.
- Experience collecting and analysing audience evaluation data.
- Knowledge of accessibility and inclusive audience engagement.
- Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will be
- Creative and enthusiastic.
- Organised and proactive.
- Friendly and approachable.
- Adaptable under pressure.
- Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Excited about helping make science accessible and engaging for everyone.
- To Apply
Please send a CV and a covering letter (max 1 page) outlining your relevant experience and interest in the role to .
Deadline for Applications: 3 August 2026 at 12 noon.
Interviews: Tue 11 and Wed 12 August 2026.
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Festival Officer in Belfast employer: NI Science Festival
The Northern Ireland Science Festival is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration in the heart of Belfast. With a commitment to employee growth, the Festival provides opportunities to engage with leading professionals in the STEAM fields while delivering impactful events that inspire audiences across Northern Ireland. Join us for a rewarding experience where your contributions will help make science accessible and engaging for everyone.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Festival Officer in Belfast
✨Dive into Local Events
Get involved with local marketing and communications events! These are great places to meet people from the industry, learn about temporary roles, and even uncover hidden job leads. Check out local networking events or marketing conferences that might be happening in your area.
✨Show Off Your Work
Create a standout digital portfolio showcasing your previous campaigns, writing samples, or projects. Share this on social media and professional groups relevant to marketing-communications. This public visibility can often attract interest from potential employers, especially for those temporary gigs!
✨Utilise Online Job Boards
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✨Tap into Your Uni's Resources
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We think you need these skills to ace Festival Officer in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Experience with Campaigns:In marketing-communications, it’s all about showcasing your ability to create impactful campaigns. Make sure to include any relevant projects you’ve worked on in your CV, detailing your role, the strategies used, and the results achieved. We're looking for candidates who can demonstrate their creativity and analytical skills!
Tailor Your Writing Samples:For a temporary role, we want to see your versatility and adaptability in communication. Include a couple of writing samples that align with our brand voice or reflect your ability to engage various audiences. This gives us a taste of what you can bring to the team at NI Science Festival from day one!
Show Off Your Digital Savvy:Digital marketing is a big part of marketing-communications, so make sure your application reflects your understanding of social media, SEO, and content marketing. Feel free to throw in any certificates you've earned in these areas—it shows your initiative and dedication to learning the latest trends!
Express Your Enthusiasm for the Short-Term Role:In your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in this temporary position at NI Science Festival specifically. Share what you hope to learn during your time with us and how you can contribute to our ongoing projects. We're all about passion and potential, so let that shine through!
How to prepare for a job interview at NI Science Festival
✨Showcase Your Creative Portfolio
As a candidate for a temporary marketing-communications role at NI Science Festival, your portfolio will speak volumes. Bring along samples of your best work—think campaigns you've managed, social media content, and any visuals. Be ready to talk through your creative process and the impact your work had on previous projects.
✨Understand the Latest Trends
We know the marketing-communications field moves at lightning speed. Make sure you brush up on the latest trends—such as digital storytelling or the effectiveness of influencer partnerships. Being able to discuss these trends during your interview will show NI Science Festival you're not just up-to-date but also eager to innovate.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly and work on short timelines. Share examples from your past where you had to pivot a strategy or campaign swiftly to meet changing demands. This will reassure NI Science Festival that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Ready Your Communication Strategy
Be prepared for questions that assess your communication skills. You might get asked to pitch a marketing idea on the spot or create a quick content plan. This is your chance to shine and show how your unique perspective can solve problems for NI Science Festival, so think on your feet and don't hesitate to showcase your creativity!
