Festival Associate Manager, Belonging

Sundance Institute

  • Park City, UT
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 1 day ago
POSITION OVERVIEWThe Festival Associate Manager, Belonging will manage a range of Festival-specific initiatives to promote inclusivity and belonging among the entire Sundance community, including employees, volunteers, artists, and patrons. As a key member of the Human Resources team, this role leads implementation of the Festival Community Agreement, manages programmatic triggering and inclusivity elements, and supports the cross-departmental Festival Community & Belonging team.Working under the Assistant Director, HR and Administration, the Festival Associate Manager, Belonging serves as a strategic partner in advancing Sundance Institute's commitment to fostering belonging and inclusion.This seasonal, full-time position runs from Wednesday, October 15, 2025 through Wednesday, February 11, 2026. It requires extended hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, to meet deadlines and respond to on-call needs. The majority of this position's work can be executed remotely out of any of our operating states, until the department comes together in Park City, UT in January to support the in-person elements of the Festival.Top priorities include but are not limited to…Build and maintain partnerships with outside agencies, including the Festival Ombuds consultant, mental health organizations, and government agencies, to cultivate a sense of belonging within the Festival community.Review and update equitable review procedures to promote a harassment-free, respectful environment, enhancing inclusivity across internal and external community members.Oversee the internal incident reporting process, including collaborating with partners and internal teams to ensure the system functions properly, appropriate escalation occurs, and all stakeholders are trained in their roles.Work with the programming team to identify potentially triggering film content and panels, determine necessary trigger warnings, and ensure onsite resources are in place to support mental health.Assist the Artist Relations Department in communicating with artists, projects, or invited guests regarding any concerns related to triggering content.Partner with Festival Theater and Operation teams to provide pre-Festival training and guidance on belonging policies, practices, and procedures to follow.Support the development and facilitation of training materials for internal employees, volunteers, and external partners on belonging and available resources.Create and update guides detailing local and remote mental health resources (internally and externally), how to report community agreement violations, and where to request additional support.Coordinate and manage a Safe Space during the Festival in partnership with the Operation team, by programming resources, activities, and furnishing a designated area for support and reprieve.Manage the collection, processing, and record-keeping of all submitted incident reports, including workplace injuries and onsite patron and artist injuries, ensuring relevant stakeholders are informed and appropriate actions are taken.Collaborate with the Accessibility team to review, process, and support the implementation of patron accommodation requests during the Festival; this may also include onsite theater support as needed.Conduct investigations of work-related injuries involving employees and volunteers, ensuring detailed reports are captured, appropriate corrective actions are taken, and injured individuals receive follow-up care and/or communications.Assist with Community and Belonging-related projects as directed and provide general support to the HR and cross-departmental teams.Work with relevant departments to draft and complete a comprehensive wrap report summarizing key takeaways, outcomes, and recommendations related to community and belonging during the Festival.You have the following direct or transferable skill sets:Legal authorization to work in the United StatesMinimum of 3 years of experience in a role related to DEIAB, event management, or HR functions, with a specific focus on fostering inclusive and respectful environments.Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and external agencies to implement safety and inclusivity programs.Familiarity with mental health support resources and strategies for addressing triggering content or experiences.Knowledge of incident reporting systems, legal requirements for managing workplace injuries, and safety compliance protocols.Strong project management abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.Excellent interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to engage with diverse community members and external partners.Effective problem-solving and conflict resolution skills, with experience handling sensitive issues discreetly and professionally.Competence in training development and facilitation, particularly on topics related to inclusivity, belonging, and community agreements.Advanced organizational skills, including the ability to maintain detailed records and manage reporting processes.You will be successful in this role if you...Strong Execution of Inclusivity Initiatives: Successfully manage and implement Festival-specific belonging initiatives that foster an inclusive environment for all employees, volunteers, artists, and patrons. Success will be indicated by positive feedback from the community and smooth coordination of initiatives during the Festival.Effective Management of Incident Reporting & Resolution: Oversee the internal incident reporting system and process, ensuring timely and thorough handling of all reports, proper escalation, and resolution of issues. Key indicators of success include accurate, detailed record-keeping and stakeholder satisfaction with how incidents are handled.Seamless Collaboration with Mental Health and External Partners: Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively with external mental health partners, government agencies, and the Festival Ombuds consultant to address community concerns, trigger warnings, and other inclusivity-related challenges. Success is shown through well-coordinated resources and support services available to the Festival community.Proactive and Engaging Communication & Training: Deliver relevant training and resource materials to internal and external partners, ensuring all team members are equipped with the knowledge and resources to promote belonging and address community agreement violations. Success is measured by participant feedback and the smooth execution of these processes during the Festival.In addition to an hourly pay of $24.17, this position* is eligible for benefits & perks, highlights include:Paid sick leave and Institute holidaysEmployee assistance programEmployee Wellness InitiativesSundance Film Festival passes and benefits (varies each year)*Applications open 09/03/2025 and will be accepted for at least one week

Sundance Institute