Competitions Assistant

Responsible to:          Competitions Manager 

Salary:                        £27,500 to £29,000 per annum

Working Hours:          Ideally full-time (Monday-Friday), however we are open to considering flexible or part time working arrangements for the right candidate

Due to the nature of the role, additional hours will be required in the lead up to and during the Royal Highland Show. The role is predominantly office-based from April to June, when the Show planning period is at its busiest. Outside of this period, there may be some opportunity for hybrid working, subject to operational requirements and agreement with your manager.

About RHASS

RHASS (Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland) is Scotland’s agricultural charity and is the leading voice for Scottish agriculture and the rural community. Founded in 1784 with the guiding principles to promote the regeneration of rural Scotland, those principles still ring true today. Today and in the future, the charity strives for new ways to preserve, educate and support the industry and people who live and work in the Scottish countryside. RHASS is the charity who puts on the Royal Highland Show at the Royal Highland Centre (RHC), showcasing the very best in farming, food and rural life.

The Royal Highland Centre (RHC)

RHC is Scotland’s largest events venue and welcomes over 1 million visitors a year. In 2025 we hosted over 150 events including Edinburgh Summer Sessions, Scottish Festival of Motoring, Terminal V, Comic Con, Ingliston Driving Experience, Truckfest & the Homebuild & Renovations Show plus Scotland's leading and biggest agricultural Show - the Royal Highland Show and many more across our 280-acre site. We continue to grow, develop, and invest in our offering, making the Royal Highland Centre one of the most sought-after venues within Scotland across all industry sectors.

Job Purpose

Working closely with the Competitions Manager, you will play a key role in coordinating the livestock and competition elements of the Royal Highland Show.

The role supports the delivery of competitions involving over 6,500 entries and 2,500 competitors across 14 sections, including livestock, equine, shearing, innovations and Scottish Championships.

This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in delivering Scotland's largest agricultural event. No two days are the same, and you'll work with exhibitors, judges, volunteers and colleagues across the Society to help deliver an internationally recognised event that welcomes over 200,000 visitors each year.

What You’ll Do

• Support the Competitions Manager in the planning and delivery of all competition activities for the Royal Highland Show.
• Manage the competitions telephone line and shared enquiries mailbox, providing excellent customer service to exhibitors and stakeholders.
• Coordinate competition committee administration, including agendas, minutes and action logs.
• Update and test the online entry system ahead of each year's competition launch.
• Prepare and maintain competition schedules and prize lists, ensuring accuracy and attention to detail.
• Coordinate all judge and steward administration, including invitations, travel, accommodation and communications.
• Attend Bronze planning meetings and contribute to wider Show planning.
• Coordinate the ordering of rosettes, prize cards and other competition supplies.
• Administer the RHASS trophy collection.
• Assist with the allocation of livestock pens, equine stalls and stable accommodation.
• Process competition results, allocate prize money and publish results.
• Support the recruitment, induction and day-to-day coordination of temporary Show staff.
• Assist with financial administration, including purchase orders, supplier liaison and reconciliation of competition expenditure.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with exhibitors, judges, volunteers, colleagues and external stakeholders to ensure the highest standards of customer service and event delivery.

What You’ll Bring

• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong administrative skills and excellent attention to detail.
• A professional and confident manner when dealing with colleagues, exhibitors and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong IT skills, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Experience using mail merge and basic Excel formulas is essential.
• Experience using CRM or competition management systems would be advantageous.
• The ability to work independently while contributing positively as part of a team.
• A proactive approach with good problem-solving skills and the confidence to use your own initiative.
• A willingness to learn, develop and contribute to continuous improvement.
• An interest in agriculture, food production, livestock, equine or rural affairs would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of agricultural shows or livestock/equine competitions is highly desirable.
• A full UK driving licence is preferred.

 Benefits

• Annual holiday entitlement starting at 34 days per annum, increasing with length of service. Note that this includes 10 public holidays and 4 fixed Director Days (taken between Christmas and New Year).
• Generous contributory pension scheme under which the Society contributes 10% of basic salary on the provision that you contribute 6%.
• Life Assurance Benefit.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.
• Complimentary Royal Highland Show tickets for Friends & Family.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Free onsite parking.