POSITION OVERVIEW

The Festival Associate Manager, New Frontier Venue is charged with operational planning, implementation, and management of the New Frontier program operations, including overseeing volunteers and docents.

Working closely under the direction of the Senior Manager, Transportation & Operations, this role supports Sundance Institute’s commitment to connect artists with audiences to present original voices, inspire new ideas, and create community around independent storytelling. New Frontier hosts a multitude of multimedia installations, performances, immersive theatre, artificial intelligence, and augmented, authentic, and virtual reality experiences in an open social setting.

This temporary position works full time (40 hours per week) from Monday, October 5, 2026 to Friday, February 19, 2027 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 Boulder, CO in January to support the in-person elements of the Festival.

Top priorities include but are not limited to…

• Reviewing, organizing, and updating New Frontier Docent and Volunteer training materials with relevant information for the upcoming season.

• Creating Visios of spaces for planning.

• Assisting with the assembly of artist docent and team contact sheets, as well as building the arrival schedule.

• Supporting New Frontier theater scheduling.

• Assisting with Build-out/Run-through, planning, and anticipating Festival needs.

• Ensuring that materials are organized and supporting with storage and labeling of materials.

• Creating daily digital sign-in sheet templates to be updated during the Festival.

• Overseeing shipping back-end documentation, including receiving packages.

• Working with the accessibility team to plan for accessibility seating at New Frontier theaters.

• Managing tech checks and rehearsals for theater performances as possible.

• Conducting daily check-in meetings with the Festival Manager, Venue Production during the Festival, communicating and challenges and anticipated needs

• Managing the venues on a daily basis to ensure smooth operations.

• Managing volunteers, and supporting docents onsite, including posting and managing daily sign-in sheets, ensuring completion, and that volunteer hours are documented.

• Making notes on all volunteers and docents, providing information for end of assignment feedback.

• Managing Early Access Hours for the venue or theater, including receiving or compiling lists the evening before and connecting with relevant stakeholders.

• Managing working credentials, assisting with incident reports, and managing lost and found logging onsite during the Festival.

• Conducting evening venue check out processes with the Festival Manager, Venue Production.

• Post-Festival, overseeing the load-out schedule, ensuring load-out happens on time and according to plan.

• Managing post-Festival packing, including packing, labeling, scheduling carrier pick up, creating a form to manage tracking numbers, and ensure all requirements are met for shipping.

• Completing a comprehensive wrap report and providing feedback on the season.

You have the following direct or transferable qualifications and skills:

• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

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

• 2 years experience in venue, event operations, or related.

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

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to maintain confidential information.

• Ability to lift and carry items up to 50 lbs.

• Working knowledge of databases along with proficiency in Google Products and Microsoft Visio preferred.

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

• Problem-solve within your work so change can happen quickly and efficiently.

• Help 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.

• Remain organized to keep yourself accountable for meeting deadlines.

In addition to an hourly pay of $24.50, 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)

*Applications open 09/09/2026 and will be accepted for at least one week