Festival Operations Director

Position Type: Seasonal, Full-Time (June 1, 2026 - November 13, 2026)

Pay Range: $27,000 for 4.5 month period

Department: Operations

Reports To: COO & CDO

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Transforming Philadelphia through the power of film.

As the producer of the Philadelphia Film Festival and creative force behind the Film Society Center, Film Society Bourse, and Film Society East, the Philadelphia Film Society (PFS) raises awareness of film as an important art form in Philadelphia and serves as a vital piece of the city’s arts and culture community.

The seasonal Festival Operations Director plays a critical role in the planning and execution of a successful 10-day film festival, overseeing the operational, logistical, and administrative functions that bring the event to life. Working closely with senior leadership and cross-departmental teams, this position ensures that festival venues, screenings, and guest services operate smoothly, efficiently, and in alignment with the organization’s mission and standards of excellence.

This role manages day-to-day festival operations, including venue readiness, scheduling, staffing coordination, vendor management, and transportation logistics. The Festival Operations Director serves as a central point of communication between programming, technical, marketing, hospitality, and front-of-house teams, ensuring seamless delivery of screenings and audience experiences.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, solutions-oriented, and thrives in fast-paced environments. They bring strong project management skills, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to lead teams under pressure while maintaining a positive and collaborative approach. During the festival period, this role requires flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, and a hands-on presence at venues.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Festival Planning and Logistics
  • Manage logistical planning for festival theater venues
  • Coordinate festival operations across departments
  • Develop and execute a timeline and workplan for the management of the festival and ensure that festival operates smoothly and deadlines are met. 
  • Develop and manage comprehensive festival operations schedules, production timelines, and staffing plans.
  • In partnership with the Director of Theater Operations, coordinate load-in/load-out, venue setup, and infrastructure needs (signage, furniture, tech equipment, etc.).
  • Liaise with vendors and contractors
• Team Management and Supervision
  • Hire, train, and supervise seasonal operations staff and volunteers.
  • Lead daily operations meetings and serve as the main point of contact for venue Directors and festival departments.
  • Cultivate a collaborative, efficient, and safety-minded work environment.
• Budgeting and Administration
  • Manage Festival operations budgets, including expense tracking.
• Onsite Festival Execution
  • Oversee daily festival operations, ensuring all venues open on time and function smoothly.
  • Troubleshoot real-time issues quickly and calmly.
  • Coordinate with technical, programming, marketing, and guest services teams to maintain excellent patron and artist experiences.
• Post-Festival Wrap-Up
  • Conduct post-festival wrap meetings with each department and prepare reports to evaluate operational effectiveness and propose improvements for future events.
  • Maintain clear documentation of operational procedures and post-event evaluations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in film festival management, arts administration, logistics, or related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in festival, live event, or venue operations management.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and multitasking skills.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, timelines, and large teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Excel).
• Comfort working long hours and weekends during the festival period.
• Commitment to accessibility, sustainability, and community engagement in festival operations.