Manager - Festival Cultural Program

Overview

Role Purpose

Festival Program Planning

• Develop, produce, deliver, and manage a high-volume portfolio of festival programming, including coordination of over 1,400 performances, events, and cultural activities
• Structure programming across multiple zones and time slots to optimize flow and engagement
• Ensure alignment with overall programming strategy and visitor demand, in coordination with Commercial, Cultural Ecosystem, and Marketing teams
• Identify, engage, and manage third-party program experts, producers, and cultural partners to develop, produce, and deliver festival programming

Large-Scale Program Delivery

• Lead execution of all festival programming, ensuring coordination across multiple venues and activities
• Manage daily program operations, schedules, and real-time adjustments
• Ensure timely and seamless delivery of all performances and experiences

Performer & Participant Management

• Coordinate onboarding, scheduling, and management of performers, artists, and contributors including regional, international, and government-affiliated participants and partners
• Ensure readiness of all participants, including rehearsals, technical requirements and performance delivery
• Manage high-volume and diverse participant groups, ensuring seamless coordination and consistent quality

Real-Time Operations & Optimization

• Monitor program performance during the festival and adjust schedules dynamically
• Address operational challenges in real time in coordination with Operations
• Ensure continuity and quality under high-pressure conditions

Performance Monitoring

• Track attendance, engagement, and program effectiveness across the festival
• Identify high-performing and underperforming content
• Provide insights to improve future festival programming

Key Success Metrics

• Festival attendance and engagement
• On-time delivery of programming
• Visitor satisfaction
• Revenue performance of festival programming against budget targets
• Contribution of programming to overall asset financial performance

Required Skills & Competencies

• Experience in large-scale event programming
• Strong coordination and execution capability
• Ability to operate in high-pressure environments

Requirements

• 6-10 years of experience, with a strong background in large-scale event programming, festival management, or live event delivery
• Proven experience planning and delivering large-scale festivals, cultural events, or entertainment programs
• Experience managing multi-day, high-volume events with multiple simultaneous activities
• Strong understanding of event lifecycle management, from planning through live delivery
• Demonstrated experience in managing live event programming under real-time conditions
• Ability to oversee daily schedules, stage programming, and activity coordination
• Experience handling last-minute changes, disruptions, and operational challenges during live events
• Experience managing large numbers of performers, artists, and cultural contributors
• Ability to coordinate rehearsals, technical requirements, and performance schedules
• Experience ensuring readiness and smooth delivery across diverse participant groups
• Experience managing programming across multiple stages, zones, or venues simultaneously
• Ability to coordinate parallel activities while maintaining consistency and quality
• Strong understanding of crowd flow, timing, and programming distribution
• Experience leading teams, coordinators, and on-ground staff during live events
• Experience in major national events, festivals, or large public events
• Experience in cultural or entertainment programming environments
• Experience in pre-opening or launching large-scale events is an advantage