SXSW Hiring for Manager, Event Staffing at Austin, TX Full Time

The Manager of Event Staffing is an experienced manager with significant experience in volunteer management, event operations and logistics, administration, and personnel management. This position will oversee a seasonal and contracted staff team, ensuring goals and objectives are met while maintaining event timelines. The candidate in this role will engage in daily tasks that further the department’s productivity and assist in achieving successful outcomes for both direct reports and their areas of responsibility.

Duties & Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Oversee event support operations and relevant festival volunteer crews.
• Manage seasonal direct reports, independent contractors, volunteer leaders, and volunteers.
• Lead volunteer leaders through recruitment, planning, event operations, and evaluation.
• Plan and execute volunteer-related activities, including recruitment and recognition.
• Act as department liaison when requested.
• Create, update, and deliver volunteer training documents and handouts.
• Develop a culture of safety and ensure the implementation of safety measures.
• Communicate and collaborate with stakeholders for event staffing and volunteer forecasting.
• Work with relevant departments to develop functional plans to enhance event support operations.
• Maintain vendor relationships and negotiate contracts.
• Meet budgetary goals with department leadership.
• Support administrative duties and projects.
• Utilize project management efforts.
• Reinforce internal and external customer service efforts.
• Contribute to company-wide activities planning and execution.
• Attend required staff training, continuing education, and meetings.
• Ensure productivity and effectiveness in areas of responsibility.
• Support departmental and organizational goals.
• Reinforce company policies and act as a role model.

Qualifications & Skills

Qualifications include:

• Prior experience hiring and managing full-time and temporary staff
• 3+ years of volunteer management experience
• Background that includes experience with film and music festivals preferred
• Event logistics experience
• Ability to expand upon existing skills to execute unfamiliar tasks
• Outstanding internal and external customer service skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including speaking in front of large, diverse groups of people
• Ability to write, edit, and produce grammatically correct documentation and plans in the English language
• Highly organized with keen attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize and manage timelines
• Confidence in making decisions while working under pressure
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to effectively produce and manage schedules and training materials
• Comfortable working with a team and independently
• Knowledge of Google Workspace, MS Office, and a willingness to learn new software

Direct Reports

• Independently contracted personnel
• Temporary staff, including seasonal staff and interns
• Volunteer crew leaders
• Volunteers

Physical Requirements

Schedules may vary during the on-site operational period. Heavy keyboard and computer use is required. During the event, large areas of the event footprint can be expected to be covered.

Work Location & Schedule

This position is located in Austin, Texas. Core business office hours are Mon-Fri, 10 am – 6 pm, and you must be available to work additional hours from January – March, including some evenings and weekends. If available, the opportunity to work a hybrid or flex schedule is possible and will be determined by company leadership.