Opportunities

Westival is looking to appoint a new Festival Director for 2025

Westival, Westport’s Music & Arts Festival, is celebrating its 50th festival this year, and is seeking an experienced and visionary Festival Director to lead the creative and operational direction of this landmark event. The successful candidate will curate a dynamic and multidisciplinary program that honors Westival’s legacy while driving its future growth.

Key Responsibilities

Artistic Leadership

  • Develop and implement the artistic vision and strategy for Westival’s 50th festival and beyond, ensuring a diverse, high-quality program across music, visual arts, theatre, literature, and more.

  • Curate a multidisciplinary festival program that celebrates Westival’s rich history while fostering innovation and inclusion.

  • Identify and engage emerging and established artists, both locally and internationally, to participate in the festival.

  • Foster partnerships with artistic collaborators and community stakeholders to enhance the festival’s artistic development and impact.

  • Ensure artists are supported with clear contracts, fair treatment, and opportunities for meaningful engagement with the festival.

Operational Management

  • Recruit and manage a team of festival professionals, including production management, administration, artist liaison, and volunteers.

  • Oversee all aspects of festival production, including scheduling, logistics, and technical requirements, to ensure the smooth delivery of events.

  • Collaborate with the Board of Directors to support effective governance and decision-making.

  • Maintain real-time financial control systems to manage the festival’s budget within agreed parameters.

Financial Oversight

  • Work with the board-led finance team to prepare and monitor the annual festival budget.

  • Identify and secure funding opportunities, including sponsorships, grants, and donations, to ensure the financial sustainability of the festival.

  • Manage grant application processes and build relationships with funding bodies.

Marketing and Communications

  • Liaise with the Marketing & Digital manager on media outreach, marketing & social campaigns. 

  • Oversee the festival’s outward-facing identity, including promotional materials, press engagement, and digital campaigns.

  • Develop strategies to grow the festival’s profile locally, nationally, and internationally.

Community Engagement

  • Build and sustain relationships with local community groups, organizations, and authorities to strengthen the festival’s community roots.

  • Nurture the festival’s volunteer base, ensuring their contributions are valued, respected, and leveraged effectively.

  • Cultivate goodwill and support from local businesses, sponsors, and donors to enhance the festival’s reach and resources.

 

 

Qualifications

  • Proven experience in a senior leadership role within the arts, cultural, or festival sector.

  • Strong curatorial vision and knowledge of contemporary artistic practices across multiple disciplines.

  • Excellent project management skills, with the ability to oversee complex operations and meet deadlines.

  • Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and secure funding from diverse sources.

  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and engage artists, audiences, and stakeholders.

  • Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of festival programming and operations.

  • Strong network within the national and international arts community.


Role Sustainability

The Festival Director role will undergo a significant review after any three-year cycle to ensure continued growth and alignment with Westival’s vision and goals.

 

 




Terms & Conditions

This is a fixed-term part-time contract for approximately 120 days over the year, with the number of days increasing or reducing depending on the festival cycle. The Festival Director will work closely with the Board of Directors, festival team, and key stakeholders to ensure the artistic excellence, financial sustainability, and operational success of Westival.

Fee range: €20,000 - €22,500 based on experience and final scope to be collectively determined by the successful candidate and Westival’s Board.


Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV, a cover letter outlining their vision for Westival, and examples of previous work to sarahbyrne@westival.ie by Feb 20th. Please include “Festival Director Application” in the subject line.

Westival is an equal opportunity organisation and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, gender, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, civil status, age, family status or membership of the traveller community.