Senior Fundraising Executive

About Edinburgh International Film Festival

Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) is the world’s oldest continually running film festival and, in 2024, relaunched as a brand new entity with a new board of industry leaders. Honouring 70+ years of festival history, EIFF showcases the very best filmmaking talent in a re-energised format that is rooted in a local Scottish context whilst embracing the international diversity of creative expression.

Helmed by CEO & Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the team works to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent.

About the Role

Reporting to the CEO & Festival Director and working closely with the Festival Producer, the Senior Fundraising Executive is responsible for driving the Festival’s fundraising strategy, playing a central role in securing a robust and sustainable financial foundation for the organisation. The work will involve leading the identification, pitching, negotiation and securing of sponsorship and funding partnerships for the Festival; and overseeing the delivery, servicing and long-term development of those relationships to ensure strong retention and growth. 

Central to the role is fostering strong, collaborative relationships with sponsors, funders, partners, supporters, suppliers and other key stakeholders that align with the Festival’s vision and long-term growth strategy. At this pivotal stage in EIFF’s development, you will play a key role in strengthening the Festival’s positioning in line with EIFF’s strategic objectives. 

In the first instance you will work with the Executive team on developing the Festival fundraising strategy, incorporating public funders, corporate sponsors, trusts, philanthropic donors and individual giving, whilst refining and distilling the core messaging around our goals and how these are communicated to a range of potential supporters. 

The initial focus of the role will be strategic major donor philanthropy, corporate partnerships and strategic grant funding. Individual giving and membership development will be phased in as organisational capacity develops. 

Initially operating as a standalone fundraising lead, the role will shape future fundraising capacity and may contribute to the recruitment and management of additional development staff as income grows. 

The position is offered as an initial 16 month fixed-term contract with a four-month probationary period. The role is based in Scotland. 

Please read the EIFF 2026 Job Information Pack below for the full Publications Coordinator job description:

VIEW AND DOWNLOAD EIFF 2026 JOB INFORMATION PACK SENIOR FUNDRAISING EXECUTIVE (PDF)

Contract type: Freelance, fixed term contract. September 2026 – December 2027

How to apply: Please email your CV and cover letter (no longer than 1 page of A4) to recruitment@edfilmfest.org with the job title in the subject heading

Deadline for applications: midday on 15 July 2026

First Round Interviews: w/c 20 July 2026

Second Round Interviews: w/c 27 July 2026

Please complete the EDI Monitoring Form here.