Director of Programming

About the Role

The Director of Programming leads the development and delivery of the Edinburgh International Book Festival’s programme.

The Director of Programming is responsible for translating the Festival’s overall creative vision and thematic framing into an ambitious, distinctive and coherent programme, and for leading the team, partnerships, resources and processes required to deliver it.

The Director of Programming works in close creative partnership with the Festival Director, bringing their own ideas, expertise and networks to develop that vision into an outstanding programme, while taking overall responsibility for the programming function and its delivery.

The Director of Programming will identify writers, ideas, partnerships and programme opportunities that bring the Festival’s strategic priorities and Programming Principles to life. They will combine excellent editorial and cultural judgement with a strong understanding of audiences, ensuring the programme celebrates outstanding writing while engaging imaginatively with the ideas and questions shaping contemporary life.

They will maintain and develop an extensive network across publishing, literature and the wider cultural sector in Scotland, the UK and internationally, ensuring the Festival remains deeply rooted in Scotland and outward-looking in its reach.

This is a high-profile role which requires travel for research and development and to represent the Festival within the UK and internationally. A significant proportion of publisher research meetings take place in London during the autumn.

Responsibilities

• Translate the Festival’s overall creative vision and thematic framing into an ambitious, distinctive and coherent programme.
• Lead the programming team and manage the partnerships, resources and processes required to deliver the programme.
• Work in close creative partnership with the Festival Director, contributing ideas, expertise and networks.
• Take overall responsibility for the programming function and its delivery.
• Identify writers, ideas, partnerships and programme opportunities that bring strategic priorities and Programming Principles to life.
• Combine editorial and cultural judgement with audience insight to ensure the programme celebrates outstanding writing and engages with contemporary ideas and questions.
• Maintain and develop networks across publishing, literature and the wider cultural sector in Scotland, the UK and internationally.
• Represent the Festival at research and development events and at publisher meetings (noting a significant proportion of publisher research meetings take place in London during the autumn).

For more information on key responsibilities please see the full job description on the Edinburgh International Book Festival website:

https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/jobs/director-of-programming

How to Apply

Apply online: https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/jobs/director-of-programming

Ensure you upload your current CV and an application letter, along with answering our recruitment portal questions. Your letter should outline your suitability for the post and why you wish to work at the Book Festival. You may include any other information to support your application.

Closing date for applications: 17:00, on Thursday 24 September 2026.

Interviews to be held: w/c 5 October, held in central Edinburgh or online.