POSITION OVERVIEW

The Festival Manager, Headquarters is charged with operational planning, implementation, and management of the Sundance Film Festival Headquarters (HQ) and Hub venues.

Working closely under the direction of Senior Manager, Transportation and Production Operations, the Festival Manager, Headquarters supports Sundance Institute’s commitment to fulfilling 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, October 29, 2025 through Friday, February 13, 2026 and requires extended hours, including evenings and weekends to meet key deadlines and respond to on-call needs as assigned. The majority of this position’s work can be conducted remotely out of any of our operating states, until the department comes together in Park City, UT in January to support the in-person elements of the Festival.

Top priorities include but are not limited to…

• Meeting with all departments functioning out of HQ/Hub during the Festival to assess and plan for their office and equipment needs.

• Updating all stakeholders on venue planning, programming schedules, and logistical needs.

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

• Working closely with the Volunteer Department to acquire adequate volunteer coverage for Festival event needs and provide ongoing and accurate information to department volunteers and timely responses to their inquiries.

• Training volunteers and providing general supervision, creating schedules, and ensuring evaluations are completed post-Festival.

• Building out venue spaces, including signage, equipment, security and evacuation plans, furniture, etc.

• Managing daily operations of the venue during the 10 days of the Film Festival, being present or accessible at all times when the venue is operational, opening and closing the venue daily, and overseeing safety and cleanliness.

• Overseeing the ordering, delivery, and return of all required equipment, furniture, etc. for the space by the set deadlines.

• Establishing a timeline and working with the Production Department to plan and conduct setup and teardown, procurement and return of venue items, and provide installations by set deadlines.

• Communicating with Sheraton staff, Sundance employees, volunteers, and vendors to address all HQ issues and questions.

• Tracking projected and actual expenses to stay within the approved budget, and providing support to Senior Manager, Transportation and Production Operations on other aspects of budget and expenses as requested.

• Managing venue deliveries and inventory returns, including maintaining an accurate inventory, pre- and post-Festival, including documenting photos of all furniture and equipment for the venue.

• Performing walkthroughs pre- and post-Festival to ensure the venue is ready for public opening and is returned to its original setup.

• Managing onsite operations throughout the Festival and ensuring timely resolutions to issues as they arise.

• Writing a comprehensive wrap report.

You have the following direct or transferable skill sets:

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

• 3 years experience in operational planning and implementation for a venue or multi-purpose space.

• Leadership skills with a background that includes managing people, including the ability to mitigate conflict and facilitate positive customer relations.

• Outstanding verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills to work effectively with a variety of people.

• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize.

• Ability to maintain confidential information.

• Ability to move items up to 50 lbs.

• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

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

• Support operational excellence and problem-solve within your work so change can happen quickly and efficiently.

• Effectively manage and motivate those you are leading and bring the team together 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.

In addition to a weekly pay of $1,069.62 to $1,320.00*, 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.

**Applications open 08/28/2025 and will be accepted for at least one week