VACANCY : Festival Director

Probably one of the best foodie jobs in Kent!

Organisation: Broadstairs Food Festival CIC
Location: Remote with on-site presence during festivals in Broadstairs, England
Reporting to: Broadstairs Food Festival board of directors
Contract Type: Independent Contractor (Fixed-term for initial 4 festivals)
Remuneration: £14,000 per festival (invoiced and paid monthly), plus agreed expenses. £1,000 shadowing fee prior to formal start.
Start Date: Shadowing from 1st January 2026 with paid role to commence 12^th April.

About Broadstairs Food Festival

Broadstairs Food Festival leads the way in free-to-attend community food and drink festivals in Kent. Working closely with the county’s food, drink and craft producers, the festivals have grown in stature and size and are well known and respected regionally.

Established 17 years ago, this not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC), run by dedicated volunteers, aims to promote the town’s businesses and support small producers through fun, inclusive, free events that attract visitors Easter and Autumn. You can find out more on our website.

The Role
A vacancy has arisen due to the forthcoming retirement of the existing Festival Director so we are seeking an experienced, dynamic and highly organized event organizer, with strong contacts and keen interest in the food and drink industry.

This pivotal role requires a proactive individual with a passion for food and drink, strong event management experience, and the ability to work collaboratively with the board, volunteers, traders, and various stakeholders. As Festival Director, you will have the autonomy to shape and deliver two vibrant festivals each year and be instrumental in ensuring the continued success and growth of this vital community event.

The expectation is a time-commitment to the equivalent of a 4 day week, variable according to the festival cycle. This will include some weekend working, particularly in summer and 3 days of each festival.

Key Responsibilities
• Planning All pre-event activities to meet statutory requirements; attend monthly board meetings
• Budget Management Draft festival budgets; trader forecasts, collaborate with the bookkeeper to prepare and present monthly cash flow and budget reports
• Event Management Ensure a diverse selection of innovative food and drink traders and a vibrant schedule of entertainment; manage all administrative aspects of trader and demonstrators booking in accordance to stated parameters.
• Marketing and Promotion Develop and implement effective marketing strategies for all platforms: online, press and radio; attend food and drink events to event formats, setups, and atmosphere
•Fundraising and Sponsorship Identify and cultivate opportunities to enhance festival funding. Develop compelling sponsorship packages. pursue grant applications and design online fund-raising initiatives.
• Evaluation and Feedback Develop methodology for, and deliver results of, on site survey and post event evaluation from local business community, stakeholders and traders.

Personal Specification:

Essential:

Passion for food and drink and a strong understanding of the industry.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport and maintain positive relationships with a diverse range of individuals.
Exceptional organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail.
Proven experience in event planning and management, ideally within the food and drink sector.
Strategic thinking and the ability to develop and implement a clear vision for the festival’s future.
A strong networker with the ability to build and maintain effective professional relationships.
Demonstrable ability to manage budgets effectively and monitor financial performance.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of engaging effectively with the board, traders, local businesses, and the media.

Desirable:

Good working knowledge of social media platforms and their effective use for event promotion.
Familiarity with the local Broadstairs and Thanet scene and key stakeholders.
Proficiency in using Microsoft Excel for data management and reporting.
Existing contacts within the food and drink industry.
Ability to foster a collaborative and positive working environment with volunteers and stakeholders.

The Offer:

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the continued success of a well-loved community event. As Festival Director, you will have the autonomy to shape and deliver two vibrant festivals each year.

Why Join Us?

This is a truly exciting opportunity to work with one of Kent’s leading food and drink festival.
Work with a dedicated team and engaged board with a commitment to community events
Flexible, role that fits around other commitments.

To Apply:

If you are a highly motivated and experienced event professional with a passion for food and drink and a desire to contribute to the Broadstairs community, we encourage you to apply.

Please submit your CV (ideally no more than 2 pages) and a compelling cover letter, including your postal address and contact details, outlining your relevant experience and why you are the ideal candidate for this role to: Admin@BroadstairsFoodFestival.org.uk