Festivals Project Manager
Summary
Manages operations for Conner Prairie Museum's seasonal festivals (History on Tap, Jupiter Flights, Headless Horseman, A Merry Prairie Holiday) in Fishers, IN: plans events with cross-departmental teams, builds SOPs and training, oversees budgets, supplies, and seasonal staff, with required evening/weekend and outdoor physical work September–December.
Principal Function: The Festivals Project Manager provides operational oversite of festivals at Conner Prairie. The project manager works with colleagues on cross-departmental planning teams to design, plan, and implement festival events. These events include History on Tap, Jupiter Flights, Headless Horseman, A Merry Prairie Holiday, and other special events on occasion. This role requires strong organizational and communication skills, attention to detail, and adaptability in managing complex projects. This job requires evening and weekend work during the festival season (September-December). This job also includes working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and requires physical work.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Works with the Senior Manager of Events and Programs to set the vision and build standard operating procedures for festival programming.
- Works alongside members of the Programs team to set-up and tear-down events, and helps to maintain schedules and timelines.
- Develops operational plans and training materials for each festival and delivers trainings to Conner Prairie Staff and Volunteers.
- Acts as operations liaison between the festivals team and colleagues in other divisions to ensure communications about the festivals are consistent across all events.
- Oversees the purchase of operating supplies across multiple festival budgets.
- Recruits and oversees select contracted performers. Hires and oversees Scare Team staff.
- Oversees the acquisition, storage, and maintenance of costumes and small props.
- Participates in cross-departmental planning teams to regularly re-fresh and re-imagine each event.
- Examines internal planning processes and finds ways to streamline and improve efficiency.
- Serves as a PIC (Person in Charge) for select events, as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities: This job supervises part-time seasonal Scare Team staff and may help direct the work of part-time Production Crew staff.
Education and/or Experience: A Bachelor’s degree in Theater, Hospitality, Event Planning, Museum Studies or similar field is required.
