Working for 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 recruiting for the Hay Festival Board and for roles at the 2025 Festival. 

    Trustee – Chair of Finance, Resources and Audit Committee

    Hay Festival Foundation Ltd (HFF) is an internationally recognised charity, founded in Hay-on-Wye in Wales 38 years ago, operating in the UK and abroad. Hay Festival editions take place in Wales, UK and internationally, currently in Mexico, Peru, Colombia, USA, Africa, Ukraine and Europe. As a charity, we have a commitment to literature, culture, arts and ideas, expanding, sharing and contributing to the development of the arts, creativity, talent and skills through our activities (festivals, education, fundraising and trading). 

    We are currently seeking a dynamic Trustee with strategic finance, accounting and audit expertise to join the Board.

    This is a voluntary position that is unremunerated, but with reasonable expenses. 

    Closing Date: 25th April 2025

    For more information or to talk through the role please see our Trustee Recruitment Pack

    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