Job Title:
Department: Marketing
Reports To: Head of Press
Rate of Pay: £150 p/d (plus holiday pay)
Dates of Work: to start as soon as possible - 2nd September 2026
Available Contracts: This is a fixed-term contract. You will be expected to work 5 days per week until mid July and then 6 days per week during August. You will receive at least one day off per week.
Reporting to the Head of Press, the Publicist will be responsible for securing the venue coverage. As well as being a welcoming representative of Underbelly when performing companies and journalists visit the Press Office for advice throughout the Fringe. The role requires candidates with a strong contact list and experience working in a press office.
Beyond Press Office, you will communicate with the Programming, Marketing, Social Media and Production teams in order to identify and maximise publicity opportunities for Underbelly’s 150+ shows.
For questions about the role, please email amy.elizabeth@underbelly.co.uk.
Role
- Have a solid understanding of building coverage for the venue including print, Broadcast, online and podcasts
- Pitch to journalists to increase the number of press covering Underbelly shows
- Pitch themes and match work with journalists both in culture and arts as well as politics, LGBTQIA+, visual art, world news
- Continually pitch and match reviewers with shows aligned to their interests
- Liaise with and support companies with their publicity questions and ideas
- Respond thoughtfully to last minute and occasionally complicated requests including requests for comments
- Other duties as reasonably required by your line manager
Person specification
Essential
- The ability to adapt quickly and prioritise multiple tasks in a fast-paced office environment
- Excellent communication and organisational skills
- Excellent customer service skills
- Experience of working within the Arts or Entertainment
- Good computer skills, comfortable navigating spreadsheets / databases / ticketing systems.
Desirable
- Relevant experience working in / around Edinburgh Festival fringe
- Have an interest in events at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and attend events and shows.
Staff Benefits
- Free entry to shows at Underbelly venues (subject to availability)
- 25% discount at Underbelly bars
Equal Opportunities
Underbelly is committed to reducing its environmental impacts in its everyday operations. We are also committed to maintaining the open-access policy of Underbelly. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all sectors of the community.
It is the policy of Underbelly to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements that cannot be shown to be justifiable.
We expect employees to support these commitments and to assist in their realisation.