POSITION OVERVIEW

The Festival Manager, Venue Operations, oversees the operational planning, implementation, and management of the Sundance Film Festival Venues.

Working closely under the Senior Manager, Transportation and Production, the Manager will be critical in ensuring smooth operations and clear communications between internal and external stakeholders across all Festival venues.

This temporary position works full-time from Monday, June 15, 2026 through Friday, August 28, 2026 and is required to work extended hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, to meet key deadlines and respond to on-call needs as assigned. This position must be based within a commutable distance to Boulder, CO in order to work onsite in a hybrid capacity throughout its employment.

Top priorities include but are not limited to...

Becoming immersed in the work surrounding the move to Boulder in support of the exemplary planning, operations, and wrap-up of all Festival venues.

Working within Google Drive, Slack, and other Institute resources to ensure departmental organization, and timely planning, implementation, and communications both within and outside the department.

Supporting in the creation of and maintenance of plans, ensuring accuracy and execution.

Facilitating ongoing communications and meetings with venue management, internal stakeholders, and sponsors, to keep all parties up-to-date on venue planning, programming schedules, installations, and logistical needs in conjunction with Senior Manager, Transportation and Production.

Plotting venue flow, signage, equipment, security, and evacuation plans working in conjunction with our production and operations department leads.

Working with the Senior Manager, Transportation and Production, to create and implement a comprehensive training program for all venue managers that thoroughly covers essential venue management processes.

Working with individual venue managers to acclimate to the new Boulder venues and environment, clarify objectives and expectations, support their understanding of plans and their role in them, support throughout the set-up, festival, and tear-down.

Establishing a new WRAP framework to create the bedrock for future initiatives.

Collaborating with external partners to create a timeline, daily schedules, and organize set-up, vendors, and tear down for Festival venues.

Managing sponsorship activations within venues, working closely with Partnerships, and outside partners.

Working closely with the production team to establish a comprehensive and realistic timeline for the venue, including confirming all key dates related to setup, rehearsals, events, and strike/load-out.

Serving as a point person throughout all processes to problem solve, troubleshoot issues, and find answers to questions as necessary in a timely manner.

You have the following direct or transferable skill sets:

3 years experience in an event production, festival venue operations, or related management role.

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

Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Ability to move items that weigh 50-75 lbs.

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

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

Legal authorization to work in the United States.

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

Thrive in a fast-moving environment where change is constant, and collaboration and accountability are necessary.

Strive toward operational excellence and problem-solve within your work with efficient results.

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 $1,111.23 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 05/15/2026 and will be accepted for at least one week

SUNDANCE INSTITUTE

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Festival Manager, Venue Operations