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.