Working at Hay Festival

The festival is put together by hundreds of people, from building the site and producing the events to welcoming our guests and spreading the word. We are currently looking for a Sponsorship and Fundraising Assistant, Site Crew and Gardening Crew.

Sponsorship and Fundraising Assistant

We are looking for a talented fundraiser to work with the festival team. The post-holder will successfully contribute to the winning of sponsorship from existing and new clients, and manage sponsor relationships for Hay Festival, Wales. You should have proven success in a sponsorship or fundraising environment, have excellent communication skills and be able to work collaboratively and positively with a wide range of stakeholders. 

A complete job description can be found here

Skills Specification

  • Experience of securing sponsorship and successfully managing relationships with sponsors 
  • Ability to effectively manage multiple relationships of varying complexities, meet strict deadlines and work well under pressure
  • Experience in creating opportunities to drive new commercial/sponsorship ideas or partnerships 
  • Proven track record of meeting financial targets and/or securing funding
  • Experience of prospect research and ability to research and respond to opportunities.
  • Strong customer relationship management skills and care – understanding of and modelling excellent donor management.
  • Experience in managing effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
  • Experience of coordinating membership or audience focused events.
  • Excellent written communication skills, numeracy, organisational skills and attention to detail
  • Enthusiastic team player with excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills
  • Microsoft Office skills – Word, Excel, Powerpoint
  • Full UK Driving Licence

Desirable 

  • Knowledge of the arts, literature and current affairs that can inform sponsorship
  • Canva or Adobe CC experience
  • Welsh speaker 

Accessibility and Inclusivity 

We welcome applications regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.  Disabled applicants are invited to contact us in confidence at any point during the recruitment process to discuss steps that could be taken to overcome operational difficulties presented by the job, or if any adjustments or support are required regarding the recruitment process. For an informal conversation about the role, please email ruthb@hayfestival.org

To apply please send your CV and a letter explaining how your experience fits the role to sian@hayfestival.org  by midday 18 February 2025

Site Crew

Come and join the Hay Festival Site Crew team!

We are looking for 8 general labourers, plus people with additional skills such as carpentry & fork lift operation. Positions start on 29 April 2025 and run full time through to 8 June 2025, including 2/3 weekends. The festival is 22 May – 1 June.

Applicants must be reliable, fit, outgoing and prepared to work as part of a team to undertake a diverse range of tasks as allocated, including:

  • Unloading our large warehouse of furniture and installing or distributing around the site
  • Installation of graphics banners, frames and flags across the festival site
  • Installation of the Box Office and Green Room internal stud walling and panelling
  • General festival site maintenance 
  • Assisting the recycling team and generally ensuring the festival site is clean and tidy

Candidates must be prepared to work in all weather conditions (PPE provided). A clean driving license and experience of driving a Luton van would be preferable.  Good time-keeping necessary.

Pay rate: £12.30 per hour plus meals in staff restaurant during the festival (22 May – 1 June) included. Applicants will need to have their own accommodation and transport

For further information or to apply please send a current CV to Georgie on Georgie@hayfestival.org or call 01497 822 620

Gardening Crew

We are currently recruiting for 3 positions in the Hay Festival gardening team. Working days will be split over a 3 week period: 

  • 2 days - week commencing 13 May
  • 2 days - week commencing 20 May
  • 2 days - week commencing 3 June

We are looking for general labourers, no specific gardening knowledge required. Applicants must be reliable, fit, outgoing and prepared to work as part of a team to undertake a diverse range of tasks as allocated, including:

  • Transporting and unloading a large amount of outdoor furniture 
  • Transportation of various plants and plant installations 
  • Ensuring the successful distribution and installations of a large number of plants and plant installations under the guidance of the lead garden designer 

Must be prepared to work in all weather conditions (PPE provided) and be prepared to undertake a variety of different tasks.Clean driving license and experience of driving a Luton van would be preferable.

Pay rate: £12.30 per hour plus meals in staff restaurant during the festival on days worked. (22 May – 1 June) included. Applicants will need to have their own accommodation and transport

For further information or to apply please send a current CV to Georgie on georgie@hayfestival.org or call 01497 822 620