Background

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is a world-leading cultural festival, with democracy, creativity and ideas exchange at its heart. We celebrate the power of words and writing in all of their dynamic and imaginative forms, bringing diverse perspectives together, and empowering our audiences to deepen their understanding of our ever-changing world.

Since 1983, we have welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors to engage with the world’s greatest and emerging writers, thinkers, artists, and performers. Each year, we programme innovative events that broaden the horizons and enrich the minds of our audiences, both in Edinburgh and online. These take the form of on-stage conversations, workshops, creative masterclasses, think tanks, and more, all informed by a culture of open dialogue, curiosity about the perspectives of others, and active embracing of new ideas and experiences.

A registered charity, we are run by a passionate team who believe in the power of words and ideas to ignite imaginations, foster human connection, and challenge the status quo – as well as to offer solace, nurture wellbeing, and spread joy. Our Festival aims not just to open up conversations, but to broaden them too: existing as a space where nuanced discussion happens.

At the heart of our Festival is a commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and the creation of a truly democratic environment for the exchange of ideas and collaborative thinking. We give a platform to voices who are often overlooked and aim to break down barriers to access for those who might not typically see themselves as a book festival audience. More than just a summer festival, we work year-round with partners in the local community – with schools, libraries, prisons, hospitals, and other community hubs – with the aim of developing engaged, knowledgeable audiences of all backgrounds and ages. The Festival also makes hundreds of events available to watch online via a Pay What You Can model, offering audiences who cannot attend in person the opportunity to take part, and making the Festival truly global in nature.

Over the last four decades, we have continually transformed our Festival model to reflect our rapidly evolving world, and ensure our ongoing relevance, with a programme balancing today’s most challenging topics with exploration of how we can work together towards a brighter future. In 2024 this evolution saw the beginning of a new chapter of our story under the leadership of our new director, Jenny Niven, including our successful first year of presenting the Festival in our new home of the Edinburgh Futures Institute – a new university building created from the stunning renovation of the city’s old Royal Infirmary, and positioned at the heart of the city’s Festival environment. We are excited about the opportunities this will offer us to collaborate with new partners and share new innovations and voices with our audiences, now and far into the future.

The Team

The Book Festival has a permanent staff of 23 throughout the year, expanding over the spring and summer to a peak of around 150 staff during the Festival. All staff members play a role in the ongoing development of the organisation through full team planning and debrief meetings during the year. The heads of each department form the Senior Management Team.

The Development (fundraising) team is made up of six roles: Development Director, Sponsorship & Partnerships Manager, Sponsorship & Partnerships Officer, Individual Giving Manager, Individual Giving Officer, and Development Assistant. The team is currently responsible for raising around 50% of the organisation’s income, and plays an integral role in ensuring the Book Festival’s ongoing success and ability to meet its targets and goals.

The Role

The Sponsorship & Partnerships Officer is a key member of the Book Festival’s high-performing Development (fundraising) team, reporting to the Sponsorship & Partnerships Manager.

The Sponsorship & Partnerships Officer will be responsible for managing an agreed portfolio of cash and in-kind sponsors and partners, working with internal teams to ensure agreed benefits are successfully delivered, persuading previous partners to come on board each year, and prospecting for new organisations for the Book Festival to approach.

With the Book Festival settled in its new long-term home at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, and the imminent launch of a new strategic plan, prospecting will be an exciting opportunity as well as a key priority. The post holder will help coordinate supporter communications and organise a year-round programme of cultivation and stewardship activities and events. They will also support the Sponsorship & Partnerships Manager and Development Director, working collaboratively to ensure the success of the Festival’s fundraising ambitions.

It is a time of change for the organisation, and particularly for the Development team, following the end of our relationship with Baillie Gifford. An ability and willingness to think creatively and work proactively will be key. This role is an excellent opportunity for someone to gain a broad range of sponsorship and partnership experience, driving growth within the supportive structure of a highly experienced team, as we innovate and develop our sponsorship offer to respond to the needs of our organisational ambitions.