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Overview

This position has been filled for the 2024 SFFILM Festival.

The Festival Lounge Manager is responsible for the design, build out, and management of the 2024 SFFILM Festival Lounge, a hospitality space that is open to all badge holders (including filmmakers, press, board, staff, donors, etc). Along with serving as the central gathering space during the festival, the Festival Lounge is also the location of Filmmaker Check-In, Press Check-In, and the default location for press lines during the Festival. Other staff workspace may also be part of the Lounge depending on location.

This role will oversee the Festival Lounge Assistant Manager and any other Lounge volunteers and staff. They will work closely with the Programming and Development departments on the goals and execution of Lounge events such as panels, mixers, and other parties. They will also work closely with the Development team on executing sponsor obligations and in-kind donations. The SFFILM Festival often creates partnerships with new hospitality venues each festival, so the Festival Lounge Manager is expected to be flexible and nimble in shifting priorities and plans, and may be part of the process of procuring the 2024 Festival Lounge venue. This position is a great fit for someone who is interested in both events and production work, as it can involve heavy production work, and also involves a high level of guest interaction.

This position will require extensive availability onsite at the Lounge venue in San Francisco leading up to and throughout the 5 day, in-person SFFILM Festival (April 24 – 28), as well as several pre-fest launch events, and will need to work in accordance with in-office requirements as determined by organization-wide and department policies. Some night and weekend availability is required.

Application review begins January 22 but will be rolling after that. The start date for this position is March 11, 2024 and the end date is May 9, 2024. This position is salaried at the rate of $1280 per week and is not eligible for overtime.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Director of Operations and Festival Operations Manager on all pre-Festival planning, scheduling, and contracts for the external Festival Lounge, including securing any necessary licenses and permits.
• Manage all venue and vendor relationships, including all rentals
• Create and execute the design of the Festival Lounge, including:
  • Working closely with the Development team to ensure Lounge design is aligned with any sponsor obligations;
  • Working closely with the Communications team on any design elements, such as signage, to ensure Lounge design is aligned with festival creative.
• Plan and execute all programming at the Festival Lounge, including working with the Programming team and Festival Special Events Manager to understand the calendar of events, and work closely with the project manager of those events on execution.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Festival Lounge, including:
  • Scheduling and managing staff and volunteers;
  • Acting as host for festival guests, maintaining clean, well-stocked hospitality spaces and engaging with guests in a warm and welcoming manner;
  • Managing the Festival Lounge bar, including tracking inventory and staffing volunteer bartenders;
  • Working with the Development department to procure food and beverage donations, and to fulfill sponsorship contracts in those spaces, including managing deliveries, leading activations, and programming sponsored events;
  • Working with venue on security, technology, and janitorial needs;
  • Securing permits and issuing COIs.
• Manage physical set-up and breakdown of these spaces, including delivery, return, and payment of all rented furniture and equipment.
• Manage the Festival Lounge Assistant Manager, as well as all Festival Lounge volunteers and staff, including the creation of the volunteer schedule.
• As needed, source vendors for entertainment, catering, bar service, etc.
• Work interdepartmentally to balance the needs of various constituencies at events, including sponsors, filmmakers, guests, and Board.
• Work with all departments to ensure office functions are being met, including incorporating spaces for Filmmaker Check-In, Press Check-In, Press Lines, Interview Space, and potential other needs into planning layouts.
• Work closely with the Tech and Media Manager on AV equipment needs, load in, and load out, including tech staffing when necessary.
• Work with the Director of Operations and Production Manager on planning and executing load-ins and load-outs.
• Work with the Production Manager to project manage the movement of furniture, product, equipment, and supplies to temporary venues throughout the Festival, and to schedule Production Assistant support in the Lounge.
• Work closely with the Director of Operations to prioritize accessibility at all events, and make sure accessibility information is properly communicated across departments and to all necessary public touchpoints.
• Draft and update Festival Lounge budget, and track and submit all payments and expenses.
• Provide timely and clear information to SFFILM staff on event status during the process, and create shareable materials including Lounge calendar, flyers for events, and runs of shows as needed.
• Support and provide educational opportunities for the Operations intern, including working with interns on in-kind item procurement, and customer service training.
• Create a written wrap-report and summary of all necessary timeline info.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Experience managing a team, with strong ability to delegate 
• Experience designing, physically producing, and managing functional and welcoming public spaces on a tight budget, including the programming and planning of events
• Experience with project management, scheduling, and organizational systems like Excel 
• Excellent decision-making and creative problem-solving skills
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks and deadlines across several Festival spaces while maintaining high quality of work and a positive attitude 
• At ease interacting with people with vastly different backgrounds and roles
• Comfort with the heavy lifting and labor inherent in loading in and out festival sites
• Comfort in Photoshop, PowerPoint/Keynote a plus
• Familiarity with Bay Area event venues, artists, and performers a plus
• Familiarity with permitting and licenses in the Bay Area a plus

SFFILM is deeply committed to Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) in both its internal management and external programming. Since 2018, the organization has actively been working in collaboration with two Advisory Boards focused on accessibility and inclusivity and officially began work with a DEI consultant in 2019 to further invest in and build on that work. Candidates are invited to discuss their interest and involvement in DEAI practices in their cover letter, and ask us more about our DEAI process in their interview.

SFFILM, in accordance with federal and state law, is an equal-opportunity employer. SFFILM does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy/childbirth, medical condition, disability, age, ancestry, marital status, citizenship or veteran status. This nondiscrimination policy covers all candidates, staff members, interns, and volunteers.