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're currently looking for Box Office staff for Hay Festival 2026 and new Trustees to join our Board of Directors. We will be advertising for site crew, front of house, food hall and cafe positions early in 2026. 

Hay Festival Foundation Ltd  - Trustees 

Hay Festival Foundation are seeking trustee/s with skills in the following areas:

• International experience within cultural or creative sectors
• Digital production and media expertise
• Fund development and high-net-worth access
• Capital project and infrastructure development

This is a voluntary Board position which is unremunerated, with reasonable expenses for travel and accommodation. Applicants are not geographically restricted.

An application pack can be found here

Closing Date: 31st January 2026

For application enquiries and submissions please contact sian@hayfestival.org 

Box Office Staff 

We are currently looking for people to join our Box Office team for Hay Festival 2026. 

Applicants will need to be available from early March for paid training and induction, and then work flexible hours according to box office requirements - approx 30 hrs per week -  rising to full time plus extra hours during busy periods, plus some Saturdays, until the end of the Festival. It is essential that you are available for the whole duration of the Festival period – 22-31 May 2026. 

The role is the first point of contact with customers, assisting with ticket sales on the phone, online and in person. You will need to be IT literate and a confident communicator.  

Duties include, but are not limited to: 

• Using the Box Office system to sell tickets and memberships and help customers navigate the website
• Maintaining, editing and updating customer records in accordance with data laws and regulations.
• Answering queries from the general public, over the phone, via email and face to face.
• Providing customers with up to date information about travel, accommodation and parking and recommend services available through our official partners.       
• Assisting customers with problems they may have using the Hay Festival website.
• Dealing with customer comments and complaints in an appropriate manner.
• Assisting with Hay Festival brochure distribution.
• Ensuring that the box office is a friendly, clean and welcoming environment for all customers.

Hours of work will vary during the run up to the Festival and some early starts and late finishes will be required. During the Festival the Box office is open from early to late so we would need you to work extended hours during this period.

You will need to have your own accomodation and transport. Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are provided during the Festival (22-31 May). 

If you feel that the role may be suitable for you, please send a CV to Linda at linda@hayfestival.org