HippFest Development Officer (freelance)

Salary: £18,870

Falkirk Council is looking for an arts professional with a strong track record in strategy, partnerships and fundraising to work as part of the friendly and dedicated HippFest team developing Scotland’s much-loved silent film festival.

HippFest is Scotland’s first and only festival of silent film with live music, centred in and inspired by Scotland’s oldest cinema, featuring exceptional screenings, commissions, workshops, community events and touring.

Role details

• Freelance contract, 111 days at £170 p/d (FTE 0.4)
• The core dates for HippFest 2026 are Wednesday 18 – Sunday 22 March 2026, plus key events on other dates (eg. programme launch w/c Mon 2 Feb 2026).
• The Development Officer will need to attend meetings and undertake stakeholder engagement across the Falkirk area. It is therefore essential that the Development Officer is mobile across the Falkirk area.
• For more information, visit the HippFest Development Officer job description or visit the HippFest website.
• If you have any questions, you can contact alison.strauss@falkirk.gov.uk before applying.

Role responsibilities

This role is vital to the Festival’s ongoing success, taking HippFest to the next phase having secured Creative Scotland Multi-Year funding for 2025-2028.

The successful candidate will, in conjunction with the Festival Director, source and apply for funding and sponsorship in general and for specific projects, to support development and delivery of HippFest’s Business Plan 2025-2028.

With the Festival Director, you will establish/nurture a broad range of new/existing partnerships locally, nationally and internationally, for delivery and strategic development. You will provide groundwork for the Team to progress the Festival’s Accessibility ambitions. You will lead on Festival monitoring and evaluation to inform strategic development and project sustainability, producing reports for stakeholders. You will provide strategic direction for the Young Programmers Group, managing and developing the group’s 2026 HippFest cohort.

Person specifications

This is a great role for a highly efficient, organised and committed person with a flair for innovation and a passion for championing inclusion, excellence, collaboration and sustainability through the arts.

How to apply

Further information on the role, person specification, application and selection process are included in the Recruitment Pack which can be downloaded here:

https://www.hippodromecinema.co.uk/media/wtmjdyrm/hippfest-2026-development-officer-recruitment-pack-final.pdf

Interviews: Tue 12 Aug (afternoon) and Wed 13 Aug

The closing date for this position is 28/08/2025 at 11:00