POSITION OVERVIEW

The Manager, Event Operations is a key member of the Operations Department charged with managing all aspects of event planning and execution for the Sundance Institute, from initial concept to post-event analysis, ensuring events are delivered successfully, on time, and within budget. The Manager will focus on leading Sundance Film Festival events, which includes managing a team seasonally, handling budgets, negotiating with vendors, and ensuring a positive experience for all attendees.

Working closely under the Associate Director, Event Operations, the Manager supports Sundance Institute’s commitment to advance the impact of independent storytelling in the world and to introduce audiences to their work through a variety of Institute, partner, and experiential events year-round, including events like national fundraisers and cultivation events, in addition to public programming and other revenue generating artist programs at the Institute.

This full-time position may work remotely from within a state of operation until the organization relocates for its 2027 iteration at which point the role must be based within a commutable distance to Boulder, CO to work onsite in a hybrid capacity. This role requires extended hours, including evenings and weekends, as well as travel to other Institute events at key points throughout the year.

Top priorities include but are not limited to…

• With the Associate Director, creating and updating operational and logistical plans related to the production of events during the annual Sundance Film Festival and year-round public programming and ensuring goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and programming elements are incorporated and identifying potential risks.

• Developing contingency plans to mitigate issues that may arise during the course of an event.

• Developing and managing timelines, procedures, and deadlines related to the Event Operations Department across multiple stakeholders, including maintaining an accurate calendar of Institute and Festival events.

• With the Associate Director, building and managing the annual events budgets, including reconciling event expenses and revenue, and tracking and processing invoices.

• Preparing and routing contracts for approval with the Finance and Legal Departments.

• Working closely with the Corporate Partnerships Department to oversee corporate sponsor activations at events and assist official groups in event planning.

• Collaborating with programming, audience engagement, marketing, advancement, government relations, festival operations, and other key stakeholders to develop a clear and consistent events structure as work in both the Utah and Colorado communities continues to grow and take shape.

• Planning and facilitating special events and local city and county consent permitting, including preparing applications, providing supporting documentation, and submitting for approval for liquor licenses and other special event needs.

• Building relationships with Official Providers, In-Kind Partners, city and county officials, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Commission (DABC), venue owners, and vendors to retain and develop new partnerships.

• Identifying, negotiating rates, and hiring all necessary vendors and venues, as well as conducting ongoing venue research and working to create new venue opportunities.

• Managing seasonal employees, including hiring and training individuals, assigning events, delegating appropriate and meaningful work, and providing guidance and feedback to ensure employees are effective in their roles.

• Establishing training plans and content, and conducting training for employees across departments as needed.

• Working directly with the Marketing team on strategy to promote the Institute’s events and attract attendees, including partnering on invite workflows and invitations, design approvals, and advancement deliverables, including credit lines, logo recognitions, line listing, etc.

• Managing the full lifecycle for assigned events including venue and vendor management, supporting program concepts, creating runs of show, identifying catering and audio-visual needs, supporting travel for guests and entertainment, and overseeing events onsite to ensure successful execution.

• Soliciting and managing attendance at events: working with Advancement department colleagues on tracking invites, RSVPs, and attendance lists in the NetSuite database and issuing accurate acknowledgement letters.

• Researching current event industry trends and incorporating best practices to meet or exceed industry standards.

• Maintaining and updating departmental standard operating procedures (SOPs) that outline best practices for the event operations of all Festival activities, artists labs, intensives, community programs, and other events.

• Managing special projects for the Events Department as needed.

You have the following direct or transferable skill sets:

• 3 years of experience producing events, including food and beverage logistics as well as cultivation and stewardship events.

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

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills to work effectively with all levels of staff, external vendors, and a variety of people.

• Experience managing, meeting budget constraints, meeting revenue goals.

• Ability to maintain confidential information.

• Ability to move items up to 50 lbs.

• Knowledge of Splash That, NetSuite, AirTable and other event databases preferred.

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to maintain multiple projects simultaneously.

• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

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

• Help shape strategy, creation and execution of all Institute events to drive donations, stewardship, and press as prioritized by each event.

• Identify and cultivate new event models and opportunities.

• Creatively identify how best to integrate events and event best practices.

• Lead and optimize event operational systems (e.g. invitations, vendor agreements, location relationships and lists, etc.) and look for opportunities to maximize efficiencies and success.

• Utilize strong project management skills to support the team in meeting deadlines.

• Effectively manage and motivate a team to success.

In addition to an annual salary of $54,000.00 to $65,000.00*, this position** is eligible for our comprehensive benefits package, highlights include:

• Health, vision, and dental insurance

• 25 paid Institute holidays plus accrued vacation time

• Paid sick, family, and medical leave

• Employee Wellness initiatives

• 401(k) with automatic 3% employer contribution after one year of employment

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

*Final rate of pay is determined based on the applicant's geographic location, relevant experience and skills, and internal equity among similar positions within our organization.

**Applications open 10/17/2025 and will be accepted for at least one week