Charlotte International Arts Festival Manager
Company: Blumenthal Arts
Salary Range: Grade 14
Position Summary
The Charlotte International Arts Festival (CIAF) Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing all aspects of a multi-disciplinary arts festival. This includes managing budgets, artists, and vendors, and effectively organizing myriad details required to successfully execute all events.
CIAF has a strong emphasis on partnership with local international organizations and artists. The Manager must build strong, positive relationships and partnerships with local organizations and artists.
The role requires effective leadership, clear communications and strong organizational skills, and a passion for the arts and celebrating diverse cultural traditions. This is a part-time non-exempt position. Hours will vary week to week with an average of 20 hours per week over the entire year. This position reports to the Programming General Manager.
Duties & Responsibilities
Planning
- Develop and implement the overall vision, goals, and strategies for the festival in collaboration with senior leadership.
- Create comprehensive project timelines and budget to ensure all festival activities are executed on schedule and on budget.
- Identify and cultivate independent local international festivals and programs who will benefit from and be interested in scheduling their programs as part of CIAF.
- Consult with designated members of the Blumenthal production team in planning for site and event logistics and budgets.
- Research and integrate emerging trends in the arts and cultural sectors to enhance the festival’s offerings.
Event Planning
- Collaborate with designated Blumenthal staff, local artists, performers, and organizations to design a diverse festival program that celebrates international traditions and artistry.
- Identify and negotiate sites and venues to host activities.
- Negotiate contracts and agreements with local, national, and international artists and performers.
- Coordinate logistical aspects of programming, including venues, schedules, and technical requirements.
Team Management
- Works with other staff to organize a team with diverse skills to execute the festival, including contractors, community partners, other staff and volunteers. Responsible for organizing and sharing in a timely manner significant details on logistics, schedules and technical requirements that others rely on.
- Foster a collaborative environment that values partnership with other local organizations who are largely responsible for curating and presenting their programs.
- Ensure clear communication and coordination across all departments (e.g., marketing, operations, production and fundraising).
Budgeting and Financial Oversight
- Develop and manage the festival’s budget to ensure agreed upon financial targets are met.
- Identify and recommend funding opportunities to Community Impact and Partnership team, including grants, sponsorships, and partnerships.
- Work closely with the Blumenthal Finance team on all financial reporting, settlements and payments.
Marketing and Fundraising
- Work closely and productively with the Blumenthal Marketing team to provide detailed event information in a timely way to maximize attendance, ticket sales and public awareness.
- Work closely with the Community Impact and Partnership team to provide detailed event information in a timely way to maximize fundraising and sponsorships.
Operations and Logistics
- In partnership with the Blumenthal production team, oversee venue selection, and assure that necessary permits, license agreements are secured, and that health, safety, and accessibility standards are met.
- Develop back-up plans due to inclement weather and act in a timely way in consultation with others to implement when needed.
Post-Festival Activities
- Conduct evaluations and gather feedback from participants, artists, audiences, and staff.
- Prepare reports summarizing achievements, lessons learned, and financial outcomes.
- Plan for the next festival edition based on insights and recommendations.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Requires a bachelor’s degree in event or arts management, or related filed supplemented by five years of event or arts management, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
- Experience managing large-scale public events.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong organizational, project management, and multitasking skills.
- Excellent communication and negotiation abilities.
- Financial acumen, including budgeting, and the ability to leverage resources jointly with others.
- Ability to think and solve problems creatively and practically.
- Ability to act timely, particularly as changes in weather and other factors require changes in plans.
- Knowledge of local and global arts and cultural trends.