Assistant Festival Producer Intern

Key info

- £5,153.43 Fixed Term Contract at National Living Wage
- Fixed term internship December 2026 - April 2027
- 16 weeks / 48 days
- 2 or 3 days per week (14 or 21 hours pro rata)
- Hybrid working: one day a week in-person in central Manchester
- Interviews: w/c 10 & 16 November 2026

This internship is part of our Young Creatives Programme, which provides various opportunities for young people from under-served communities to develop employment skills and networks in the Creative Industries, with the ultimate aim to increase access to employment and diversify the workforce.

You will work closely with our Senior Programme and Partnership Manager to support production across our two Young Writers Festivals 2027 - one in Manchester and one in Cambridge. You will gain a general overview of event production, fundraising and youth engagement. It's an opportunity to gain the skills required to make your first steps into the world of arts administration and event production, and will be a valuable contribution to your CV.

The internship will follow the process of programming and delivering a creative writing festival for young people aged 12-18 in partnership with universities, schools and local arts organisations. As the internship progresses, you will be expected to put your learning and skills into practice as a valuable member of the production team, with a chance to produce an element of the event. You will directly contribute to the success of the Young Writers Festivals 2027 by carrying out the required administrative, communication and evaluation tasks. You will increase your knowledge and understanding of how to work with a team to deliver a successful live event.

We are able to offer the role to candidates within commuting distance of central Manchester. You will be required to work in-person at least once a week but otherwise you will be able to work from home.

Job Requirements

Essential:

- Willing to work remotely online some/most of the time
- Ability to work independently and remotely
- Good communication skills orally and in writing; ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders
- Able to meet deadlines and deliver multiple tasks in a timely fashion
- An eye for detail, able to proofread and enter accurate data
- Enjoy working in a team and able to collaborate with team members
- Good IT skills, knowledge of Microsoft Office (including Teams) and social media channels
- Willing to take Enhanced DBS check and undergo safeguarding training
- Understanding of how to form appropriate relationships with children and young people and maintain professional boundaries
- Commitment to First Story's mission and purpose

Desirable:

- Experience of maintaining CRM systems (Salesforce)
- Interest in creative writing
- Understanding of the UK secondary education sector
- Willing to travel across Greater Manchester and do occasional overnight stays

Job Requirements

You Will Learn:

- An understanding of creative project planning, programming and scheduling
- Effective and timely communication with colleagues, partners and artists
- How to work collaboratively with a team to produce a cultural event
- An understanding of how to evaluate a project and collect and analyse data
- An introduction to arts administration, fundraising and donor relations

Key Accountabilities:

- Assisting the Programme Team to complete tasks relating to both Young Writers Festivals 2027
- Fulfilling other responsibilities as outlined in the First Story Accountability and Responsibility Document and contributing to the overall work of the organisation as required