Creative Director

Responsibilities

• Creative Vision and Artistic Leadership
• Flagship Festival Leadership
• Leadership of the Creative Directorate
• Organisational Leadership
• Audience Growth, Partnerships and Income Generation
• External Profile and Sector Leadership
• Key Performance Indicators

Requirements

• Essential
• Significant senior leadership experience within arts, culture, publishing, media or creative industries.
• Proven experience developing and delivering successful cultural programmes, festivals or public events.
• Strong understanding of literature, publishing and contemporary cultural sectors.
• Demonstrable ability to attract major talent and shape compelling public programmes.
• Experience balancing artistic ambition with commercial and organisation

Additional Information

Purpose of the Role The Creative Director is responsible for defining and leading the artistic vision, creative strategy and public programme framework for Hay Festival UK. The postholder will shape the future direction of Hay Festival's creative offer, ensuring the organisation remains one of the world's leading cultural platforms for literature, ideas and interdisciplinary exchange. The role combines creative leadership, strategic thinking and organisational influence, balancing artistic excellence with audience growth, fundraising opportunities and commercial sustainability. The Creative Director will lead the Creative Directorate through the Creative Team ensuring a coherent, ambitious and distinctive programme across festivals, year-round events, digital content and new initiatives. Working closely with colleagues across Development, Commercial, Marketing, Operations, Education and International teams, the Creative Director will ensure creative activity contributes to Hay Festival's charitable mission, strategic objectives and long-term growth.

Your Match

How well this role fits your profile.

Company Intel

What employees say

Worked at The Guardian? Share your experience