Advertised from 11 September 2025

Role

Push the Boat Out is an award-winning poetry-led arts charity, and a unique and vital part of Edinburgh and Scotland’s cultural ecology. Founded in 2021 and established as a SCIO in 2023, we are home to Edinburgh’s first and only poetry festival, and one of just two in Scotland.

Our vision is of a world where poetry in all its forms can grow, evolve and expand its boundaries as a vibrant and meaningful part of people’s everyday lives. Through our annual festival and year-round programme, we bring artists, audiences and participants together to access, create and celebrate contemporary poetry and cross-artform collaborations.

This is a very exciting time to join us: having secured multi-year funding from Creative Scotland, we are consolidating our success, growing our year-round programme, and developing our community engagement work. We are now seeking to grow our Board through the following appointments: 

* Chair of the Board to provide leadership, support the Director, and ensure strong governance and strategic direction.

* 2–3 new Board Members to bring skills, experience and enthusiasm to support our growth and help shape our next chapter.

We are looking for an experienced Chair and also welcome applications from people of all backgrounds who share our passion for poetry, creativity, and inclusive cultural participation. We particularly encourage applications from people currently under-represented on charity boards.

Time commitment

* Trustees: up to 1 day per month (including 4 board meetings per year, an annual strategy session, and committee or project involvement).

* Chair: up to 1.5 days per month, including twice-monthly meetings with the Director.

Board members are also expected to have some availability during the annual festival (20–23 Nov 2025).

These are voluntary, unpaid roles (reasonable expenses reimbursed)

Location: Edinburgh/hybrid/online

Term: 3 years, renewable for another 3 years

Application notes

More information can be found in our recruitment pack which can be downloaded from our website - https://pushtheboatout.org/work-with-us/

If after reading the information you would like to apply, please send a letter of interest (max. 2 pages), stating which position you’d like to be considered for together with a CV, to recruitment@pushtheboatout.org.

Deadline: 9am, Monday 20 Oct 2025; Interviews: w/c 27 Oct (online)

For an informal chat before applying, please email recruitment@pushtheboatout.org and our Director or current Chair will be in touch.

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