Festival Manager Role Description and Person Specification 

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Your role is to ensure delivery of this year’s festival programme (already in place) and work towards the delivery of the 2027 programme. 

This role is a multi-faceted one with the following expectations: 

• To deliver the 2026 programme of events, which is already confirmed subject to some minor adjustment. 
• To line-manage the Festival Assistant (p/t) and Digital Content Assistant (p/t, 16 weeks May to September) 
• To manage the working festival budget 
• Deliver the target-driven marketing/sales strategy  
• Oversee ticket allocations and monitor and report on sales to the Board on a weekly basis 
• To liaise with artists, artist managers, venues and technicians as required to ensure smooth delivery of events 
• To oversee the volunteer team and the associated timetable in liaison with the Festival Assistant  
• To apply for and obtain all relevant licenses and permissions from Highland Council pertaining to outdoor festival events 
• Complete/ oversee completion of risk assessments as appropriate 
• Organise fundraising events such as stands at community events  
• Submit post-event reports to funders in a timely fashion 
• To be an ambassador for the festival at all times, nurturing key partnerships and sponsors, maintaining strong relationships with Highland Council, BID, local businesses and audiences 
• Working from home but with regular meetings in Nairn and the absolute necessity of attending fundraising  events and being onsite for the weeks leading up to, during and immediately following  the festival.  Own transport and clean driving license essential. 

Start date:  23 June ( there will be some flexibility for the right candidate)  

Part-time, freelance role . 6 month contract initially from start date, with the potential to extend for a further year to programme and run the 2027 Festival 

Estimated working hours 21/week.  Working hours are flexible with evening and weekend work during festival period plus attendance at Committee and Board meetings (evenings). 

Reporting to: Festival Board 

Remuneration:  £8, 250 

We welcome applications from anyone with the essential skills listed. 

We are a Fair Work First and Equal Opportunities employer and pay wages at or above the Real Living Wage.  Nairn Book and Arts Festival believes that no individual should be excluded from the Festival’s activities on the grounds of age, gender, health, sexuality, class, family status, means, ability, colour, ethnic origin, culture, religion, or belief. We aim to ensure that all who wish work with us have an equal chance to do so.  

Recruitment process: 

5 May  Applications close  

11 May  First round of interviews, via Zoom 

13 May  Second round of interviews – face to face/ on Zoom 

 Please inform us if you have any special access requirements during the recruitment process. 

If you are interested in this position, please send a covering letter, not more than 2 sides of A4, showing evidence that you have the essential/desirable qualities for the role, along with your CV to info@nairnfestival.co.uk 

References required: on application, please provide contact details for two referees who have known you in a professional capacity.