TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) is looking to appoint a new Festival Director to lead the delivery of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival (SISF) from 2026.
Founded in 1989, SISF is the world’s largest celebration of storytelling, anchored in Scotland, a nation of storytellers. SISF takes place in October each year, offering a vibrant programme of live performances, workshops, gatherings, talks and family events in Edinburgh and nationwide.
As part of the Festivals Edinburgh network, SISF has a strong local, national, and international profile. It is recognised as a leading platform for storytelling and traditional arts, and as a key showcase for Scotland’s year-round storytelling activity led by the Scottish Storytelling Forum, one of the members of TRACS.
The core programme of SISF is delivered in Edinburgh at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, with SISF’s national programme encompassing Story Ripple, developed with the Scottish Storytelling Forum, and Go Local, delivered with partners, regional festivals, and venues across Scotland.
Reporting to the TRACS CEO, the SISF Festival Director plays a crucial leadership role, steering and supporting the planning, programming, delivery, evaluation and reporting of the Festival. The new Director will also be responsible for ensuring the Festival’s vigorous and viable future through the formulation of a robust strategic plan, the development of a strong core operational team, and assisting with securing additional streams of funding.
SISF is organised by TRACS, a co-operative network which champions our shared traditions of music, song, storytelling, dance, crafts, customs and Scotland’s languages. TRACS is supported by Creative Scotland through Multi-Year Funding, and the City of Edinburgh Council’s revenue grant scheme. SISF is supported by Scottish Government Expo Funding.
- Hours: 1.0 FTE (35 hours per week) with the option of 0.8 FTE (28 hours per week) by negotiation
- Contract: Fixed term, 12 months, with the option to extend for a further year subject to funding
- Salary: £42,000 per annum (1.0 FTE) (£33,600 at 0.8 FTE)
- Location: TRACS office at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh. Some hybrid/remote working by negotiation.
- Application Deadline: 9am on Monday 1st December 2025
- Interviews: Week beginning Monday 8th December 2025, with potential second interviews the week beginning Monday 15th December.
Could this be me?
The SISF Festival Director will be a strong advocate for oral storytelling in Scotland as a key component of Scotland’s thriving traditional arts sector. You will have significant experience within Scotland’s arts and culture sector, with a clear commitment to fostering creative excellence, encouraging participation, and promoting cultural collaboration.
You will provide strategic and artistic leadership to build on SISF’s established reputation as a meeting place for tradition bearers, emerging voices, and international artists, ensuring it continues to celebrate Scotland’s storytelling traditions and support the key aims of the Scottish Storytelling Forum while creating opportunities for innovation, artistic exploration, and reaching new audiences.
A confident and engaging communicator, you will represent the Festival and TRACS across a range of settings, engaging positively with a range of stakeholders, including the media, board members, staff, Festivals Edinburgh colleagues, funders, local and national government and the general public.
You will have demonstrable experience of successfully curating and delivering diverse arts or cultural programmes within a recognised festival or venue. You will also have a strong track record in project management, business planning, and partnership development.
As an effective leader, you will be able to inspire and motivate a team, fostering collaboration and shared purpose to deliver your creative vision for SISF and contribute to the wider success of Scotland’s traditional arts sector.
How to apply
- Download the full recruitment pack here
- Send your CV with a covering letter to recruitment@tracscotland.org
If you require an application form in another format, please email recruitment@tracscotland.org
All applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.
TRACS commits itself to meeting the aims and commitments set out in its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy. This includes not discriminating under the Equality Act 2010 and building an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce in encouraging equality and diversity.
TRACS is an accredited Living Wage Employer, committed to paying a wage based on the cost of living to our staff.
Application Deadline: 9am on Monday 1st December 2025
