DESIblitz Literature Festival is designed to encourage young and aspiring British Asian writers but is open to all. It provides a much-needed programme of author events, workshops, performances and panel discussions, showcasing the work of British South Asian authors and poets, and international writers with South Asian heritage. As well as aiming to inspire new creative writers, the festival provides an opportunity to highlight the way writers of South Asian descent have contributed to the literary canon across the world.

Organised by the popular DESIblitz.com website, one of the festival’s core aims is to create an incubator for British South Asian literary talent, inspiring and encouraging the British South Asian writers of the future. The DESIblitz.com website has launched the careers of over 40 British South Asian journalists, and the festival was started four years ago to encourage a younger generation of British South Asians to read more books and become writers.

A literary celebration unlike any other in the UK, the DESIblitz Literature Festival will showcase the work of leading writers and thinkers of South Asian descent, alongside a series of workshops, panel events and poetry readings.

From the biggest new book releases, to up to the minute political debate, there will be events covering fiction, poetry, history, politics, diversity, erotica, psychology, science, art, and much more, that will inspire a love of reading in adults of all ages.

We are looking for a freelance Festival Coordinator to join our fun, creative and small team in Birmingham. (please note we are not accepting applications for remote working).

We are looking for a highly organised, enthusiastic self-starter who is prepared to throw themselves into working in a fast-paced and busy organisation to support with administrative and logistical roles to help coordinate all aspects of the Festival.

JOB SPECIFICATION

The Festival Coordinator will report to the Festival Director and Editor.

Working hours are 10am – 6pm, Monday to Friday, but there will be an expectation to work some evenings and weekends as required. Our offices are in central Birmingham. This role is for a 4 month period from 20th July until 18^th November 2022.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

Production coordination:

• Support the Festival Director and Editor on all production elements of the festival.
• Build and develop relationships with venues, suppliers, booksellers, caterers etc, negotiating to ensure the best deals are secured.
• Communicate with artists, their representatives and venues to oversee all the elements of administrating and producing individual events.
• Administrate contracts with venues and artists as appropriate.
• Support the editorial team as required on written content
• Manage individual show budgets and update ticket sales weekly.
• To take the lead on all the logistical elements of an event from liaising with the venue to booking travel for the artist/s.
• Support delivery of all festivals, show manage where required, ensuring smooth running of shows both back and front of house.
• Take on any additional duties as reasonably requested by the Festival Director or Editor.

Programming coordination:

• Research and develop compelling festival themes, in order to create programmes for multiple regions that reflect the diversity and that are creatively ambitious and financially viable.
• Identify venues and organisations suited to the festival.
• Identify authors, public figures and more broadly to suit the creative brief of the festival.
• Attend other events and festivals as required.
• Attend meetings and take notes and minutes as required.

Marketing & Audience development:

• Liaise regularly with our PR company, to assist in devising marketing strategies for the festival, source and proof marketing assets and draft copy for online and print.
• Liaise with the artist and/or their representatives and the venue to understand the target audiences.
• Assist in implementing effective feedback and evaluation processes to improve the company festival’s offering.
• Act as an ambassador for the festival to protect and enhance their reputation.
• Build relationships with existing partners and develop new ones to help delivery of a bold, fresh and exciting programme.
• Coordinate festival launch.
• Think creatively to reach out to and develop new audiences with a strong focus on regional activity, diversity and access.
• Collate and review market research and audience feedback to continuously evaluate how festival objectives are being met.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Our ideal candidate will have most, if not all of the qualities listed below:

• A demonstrable and clear knowledge of a broad range of art forms as well as appetite for acquiring knowledge outside of immediate comfort zone.
• Demonstrable experience in developing community engagement projects, either via venues or community groups.
• Experience in booking artists and performers and experience in coordinating live events or festivals.
• A wide network of relevant contacts including authors, speakers, promoters, agents, publishers and venues.
• Some experience in producing live events including developing the concept, to hiring the creatives/artists, budgeting and marketing.
• Knowledge of the literature and spoken word scenes in Birmingham, regionally and internationally
• A good track record of programming live events either for venues, festivals or other cultural entities. Able to demonstrate successful management of programmes and budgets.
• The ability to remain calm under pressure, with multiple demands and tight deadlines. The ability to work on your own initiative and self-direct.
• A creative spirit with the ability to challenge yourself or the perceived limitations of the festival
• Very strong empathy and communication skills, so important in relationship development, networking and negotiation.
• Excellent administrative and organisational skills including a solid grounding in IT, experience in using Microsoft Word, Excel, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
• A proactive and adaptable approach to work, including a readiness to travel as well as work evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays as required.
• A real commitment to diversity and social inclusion.

Please send your CV and a covering letter by 9th June explaining why you want to apply for the role to: indi.deol@desiblitz.com using Festival coordinator 2022 as the subject title in the email.