FESTIVAL 2026: VENUE OPERATIONS TEAM LEADER

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is back again in 2026, running 5 – 31 August, and we’re excited to be part of it, once again providing incredible experiences at Edinburgh's top festival venues this summer!  

Pleasance Theatre Trust will return to our Potterrow and Pleasance venues, and this year we’re also excited to be welcoming Gilded Balloon back into Teviot, after a two and a half year renovation. Indoor and outdoor spaces will be buzzing, with live performances and amazing food and drink. Apply today to be part of it.

Would you like to work for the Students' Association during Festival 2026?  

Edinburgh University Students’ Association are looking for people who can offer amazing customer service and contribute to our unique and vibrant hospitality spaces this summer. You will work at the heart of the Festivals, surrounded by a great team atmosphere.

Salary: £13.95 per hour, plus a generous benefits package:

• A fun, diverse and exciting work environment
• Holiday paid at 15.55% in September pay
• Certified training from an industry leading training provider
• Free or discounted Fringe tickets
• Staff discounts in selected outlets
• Staff party after Festival
• Opportunity to have year-round flexible work available
• Find out more by watching our Festival jobs video!

Hours: Minimum 10 hours per week (expected average of 3-5 shifts worked per week) 

If successful, you will be joining part of a dedicated and amazing team that operates year-round on our Students’ Association Campuses, so whether you are after Festival work or more than just a summer job, we may have the right opportunity for you!

We are looking for enthusiastic Venue Operations Team Leaders to join our dynamic commercial team for Festival 2026. 

As a Venue Operations Team Leader, you’ll work closely with Venue Operations Team Members to ensure exceptional service, maintain behaviour standards and cleanliness of the premises. You'll welcome and assist visitors, support staff training, and brief staff on shift. Your role includes supervising evening/event operations, assisting with security and leading in emergency situations. The role is heavily centred on ensuring the venue looks clean and can be physically demanding as you will be on your feet in a busy venue. Experience in customer service, managing queues, handling difficult customers, and knowledge of health and safety regulations are essential. A First Aid Certificate and experience in staff training would be desirable. The Venue Operation team is needed during Food and Beverage trading hours, from 8am to 4am, seven days a week during the Festival. Most shifts will be scheduled within these hours, with some extending to 6am on certain days.

Application Details:

To complete a short application via our online portal, click 'APPLY NOW'.

You can also download a full job description below and read our Candidate Privacy Notice to find out how we look after your data.

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Wednesday 10 th June.  

The recruitment process will include a one-way video interview, which you will be invited to complete once your application is submitted. This is super flexible and can be done at a time and location of your choosing. The video interview must be completed by 12 th

June. If you are shortlisted after the one-way video interview you will also be invited to a Microsoft Teams interview with one of the Venue Managers. Your interview will be up to 30 minutes long.

You must be available to work 30 July – 31 August 2026 inclusively. This includes compulsory in-person training, without which you will not be able to work for us.  

Please note that in line with current UK law, all job offers will be subject to the right to live and work in the UK and we require all of our staff to be over 18 (due to licensing restrictions).

If you have any queries, please contact Festival@eusa.ed.ac.uk.