POSITION OVERVIEW

The Festival Manager, Theater Operations position is an integral part of the Sundance Film Festival Operations team. This position is charged with managing the day to day operations for the Theater Operations Department for the Sundance Film Festival. This includes managing and implementing all logistics, signage, equipment, and set and strike for Festival theaters. In addition, this role supports audience experience, ticketing, and access control planning and implementation. This position directly oversees 2 seasonal employees, and provides support supervising 8 additional seasonal staff as well as volunteers.

Working closely under the direction of the Senior Manager, Production and Theater Operations, the Festival Manager, Theater Operations supports Sundance Institute’s commitment to fulfilling the vision of a successful and positive in-person Festival experience for all artists and patrons.

This temporary position works full time (40 hours per week) from Wednesday, September 3, 2025 through Friday, February 27, 2026 and must be based within a commutable distance to our Park City, UT office. While much of the day-to-day work may be performed remotely leading up to the Festival, this position will need to work onsite in a hybrid capacity at key points throughout the duration of employment. Extended hours, including evenings and weekends will be required at key points to meet deadlines and respond to on-call needs as assigned.

Top priorities include but are not limited to…

• Creating and updating operational and logistical plans to manage theater operations including, signage, equipment, audience issues, etc. during the annual Sundance Film Festival.

• Managing overarching timelines, adherence to procedures, and deadlines related to theater operations across multiple departments and stakeholders.

• Supports Institute Theater Operations Manager in developing and executing seasonal staff workflow plans, training implementation, and timeline development

• Collaborating closely with the Production Department in planning theater build outs, vendor rental equipment and installation, internal storage equipment needs, and overall operational timelines and implementation; Ensuring Theater Operations staff are completing Production Dept deliverables - including rental equipment orders, installation timeline review & adherence, and all necessary venue communication regarding these plans.

• Managing seasonal employees and volunteers, including selecting and training highly effective employees and volunteers, providing direction, feedback, and support to ensure employees and volunteers understand responsibilities and are effective in their roles while delegating appropriate and meaningful work.

• Establishing training plans, creating content and conducting trainings in collaboration with other departments as necessary.

• Working with the Ticketing and Technology Services Departments to finalize ticketing, theater box office, scanning and access control plans, and implementation at theaters.

• Scheduling and leading operational meetings to update and collaborate with internal departments to meet and confirm operational plans.

• Collaborating with Artist Relations, Press and SIO departments on premiere screening/press line implementation and onsite management; including participating in cross department pre-festival planning meetings, physical install and implementation at theaters and onsite execution/logistical support.

• Identifying logistical, personnel, and audience issues at theaters and providing quick resolution as needed.

• Conducting routine walk-throughs of theaters and attending meetings with theater operation staff and internal departments leading up to and during the Festival.

• Collecting wrap reports from theater managers and Theater Operations Department staff and consolidating information to write an overall wrap report for internal review.

You have the following direct or transferable skill sets:

• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

• Valid driver’s license and successful completion of MVR background check.

• 3 years experience in venue management and operations.

• Strong leadership skills with a background that includes demonstrated excellence in managing employees.

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with an understanding of the implications their actions will have on the organization.

• Ability to collaborate effectively and affect change by applying best practices.

• Strong problem solving and conflict management skills.

• Ability to build strong relationships while working across the organization in order to drive results.

• Strong project management skills.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Products.

• Able to move, lift and carry items up to 50 lbs.

You will be successful in this role if you...

• Exude operational excellence, including the ability to problem solve within your work and the work of your team so change can happen quickly and efficiently.

• Effectively manage and motivate those you are leading and rally the team around common goals.

• Communicate clearly with internal and external stakeholders of varying levels and positions.

• Provide stakeholders with turnkey spaces that facilitate their event vision.

• Effectively use project management skills and strong organizational skills to keep yourself and your team accountable for meeting deadlines and milestones.

• Successfully stay within the approved fiscal year budget for all areas of responsibility.

In addition to a weekly pay of $1,069.62*, this position** is eligible for benefits & perks, highlights include:

• Paid sick leave and Institute holidays

• Employee assistance program

• Employee Wellness Initiatives

• Sundance Film Festival passes and benefits (varies each year)

*Location will be taken into consideration when making the final offer.

**This role was posted on July 16, 2025 and will be open for 7 days