Festival Manager, Event Venue

Festival Manager, Event Venue

The Festival Manager, Event Venue is charged with the planning and execution of the official event venues of the Sundance Film Festival. Additionally, this position will organize and support assigned events during the Festival.

Working closely under the direction of the Manager, Event Operations, 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. This position will have a seasonal direct report as well as full time seasonal volunteers.

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…

• Acting as liaison between venue owners and managers, vendors, contractors, and employees, including conducting pre-Festival venue meetings.
• Planning out space design with presenting sponsors if appropriate, including electrical, phones, computers, venue security, and an evacuation plan for main building and tent structure areas.
• Coordinating the aesthetic design ("look and feel") of the venue with the Manager, Event Operations.
• Ordering all equipment needed for venues and establishing a timeline for move-in, set-up and tear-down.
• Maintaining set budgets for assigned events and supporting the Manager, Event Operations in managing venue-specific budgets.
• Assisting with developing final event plans for management approval.
• Providing final touches to events requested by event leads, hosts, sponsors, vendors, and venue owners to execute events successfully (includes set-up to tear-down).
• Coordinating check requests through Accounts Payable, submitting and completing check requests for all bills associated with Festival events two weeks prior to the start of the Festival.
• Supporting the Beverage Associate Manager with beverage logistics as needed.
• Documenting event details as assigned which includes but not limited to: banquet event orders (BEO), event evaluation sheets, and alcohol request sheets, as well as all correspondence, attendance numbers, and issues related to events and parties.
• Monitoring and overseeing operations for assigned events, including event employees and volunteers onsite.
• Liaising with Corporate Development, and sponsors regarding event structure and plans.
• Providing successful and well managed events and venues.
• Completing post-Festival walk through with venue owners and managers.
• Completing a Festival wrap report.
• Supporting Events Department operations, Manager, Event Operations, and Associate Director, Event Operations as assigned.
• Managing a seasonal employee, providing training for the individual, assigning events, delegating appropriate and meaningful work, and providing guidance and feedback to ensure employees are effective in their roles.

You have the following direct or transferable skill sets:

• Legal authorization to work in the United States.
• 3 years experience planning and executing events and/or venue management.
• Outstanding verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills to work with a variety of people.
• Strong customer support skills including the ability to mitigate conflict and facilitate positive customer relations.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize.
• Ability to maintain confidential information.
• Working knowledge of Gmail, Google Drive (including Google Docs and Google Sheets and Google Calendar).

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

• Jump in quickly to support the team and show initiative in the planning of your assigned work.
• Adapt to changing and developing circumstances and processes.
• Collaborate and communicate within the Events and Partnerships teams and with other departments
• Help create the event experience for both digital and in person events and align it to the 2027 Sundance Film Festival vision.

In addition to a weekly pay of $1,111.23 to $1,352.00*, 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 08/28/2026 and will be accepted for at least one week