Senior Manager, Activations and Partnerships

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Senior Manager, Activations & Partnerships serves as the operational leader of the Partnerships & Activations function and is responsible for managing the day-to-day planning, execution, and oversight of partnership activations, sponsor fulfillment, experiential initiatives, operational delivery, and Festival activation logistics across Sundance Institute's Festival and year-round programs.

Reporting to the Associate Director, Activations and Partnerships, this role is responsible for implementing departmental priorities, overseeing project execution, managing team workflows, and ensuring high-quality delivery of partnership experiences that align with Sundance Institute’s mission, values, and audience experience.

The Senior Manager serves as a key partner to the Associate Director in translating strategic priorities into operational plans, scalable processes, and successful partnership outcomes.

This full-time position is based within a commutable distance to Boulder, CO in order to work onsite in a hybrid capacity throughout the year. The role requires flexibility, including extended hours, evenings, and weekends during peak periods, as well as travel to Institute locations, events, and meetings as needed.

Top priorities include but are not limited to:

Partnership Activations & Operational Leadership

• Overseeing the planning, coordination, and execution of sponsor activations, experiential initiatives, and partnership programs across Sundance Institute events and programs.

• Managing activation timelines, project plans, budgets, resource allocation, and operational workflows.

• Supporting the Associate Director in developing scalable activation systems, operational frameworks, and implementation processes.

• Monitoring activation execution to ensure consistency, quality, and alignment with organizational priorities and partner commitments.

• Identifying operational challenges, resource needs, and process improvements that strengthen efficiency and effectiveness.

Activation Fulfillment & Partner Experience

• Overseeing fulfillment and execution of sponsor activations, partner benefits, and experiential initiatives across Festival and year-round programs.

• Supporting the Associate Director in operational planning related to activation delivery, sponsor stewardship, and partner experience.

• Ensuring partnership commitments are fulfilled accurately, on time, and in alignment with organizational standards.

• Monitoring activation performance and recommend process improvements that strengthen partner satisfaction and operational effectiveness.

• Supporting management of Institute-wide in-kind partnership activations and fulfillment activities.

Cross-Functional Planning & Collaboration

• Partnering closely with Programming, Festival Operations, Event Production, Marketing & Communications, Community Relations, Legal, and other internal teams to support integrated planning and execution.

• Coordinating planning processes, stakeholder engagement, and internal communications related to partnership initiatives.

• Facilitating collaboration across departments to ensure activation concepts are operationally feasible and effectively implemented.

Team Leadership & Culture

• Building, mentoring, developing, and leading a team through inclusive leadership practices, coaching, accountability, and professional development.

• Fostering a collaborative, equitable, and inclusive team culture where employees feel supported, empowered, and connected to organizational goals.

• Creating opportunities for mentorship, learning, and career growth across year-round and seasonal teams.

• Leading with transparency, empathy, curiosity, and accountability while supporting a culture of belonging.

Relationship Management

• Serving as a senior operational representative of Sundance Institute with sponsors, vendors, activation partners, and internal stakeholders.

• Supporting escalated activation and fulfillment matters as needed.

• Building trusted relationships that strengthen partner engagement, retention, and overall partnership success.

You have the following direct or transferable skill sets:

• 5+ years of experience in experiential marketing, partnership activations, festival operations, event management, community engagement, venue management, or related fields.

• Demonstrated experience working within arts, culture, entertainment, media, or other mission-driven creative-sector organizations, either for-profit or nonprofit.

• Experience leading complex operational initiatives, activations, and partnership programs.

• Demonstrated people management experience including coaching, mentoring, and employee development.

• Demonstrated experience managing and cultivating relationships with major brands

• Strong relationship-building, communication, project management, and organizational skills.

• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, accessibility, and fostering a culture of belonging internally and externally.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate effectively across teams and stakeholders.

• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

You will be successful in this role if you...

• Successfully translate strategic priorities into operational execution.

• Build efficient systems and processes that support future growth.

• Deliver exceptional partnership experiences and activation outcomes.

• Develop team members through coaching, mentorship, and equitable leadership practices.

• Build strong relationships across internal teams and external stakeholders.

• Navigate operational complexity with flexibility, collaboration, and strategic thinking.

In addition to an annual salary of $70,000.00 to $90,000.00*, this position** is eligible for our comprehensive benefits package, highlights include:

• Health, vision, and dental insurance

• 25 paid Institute holidays plus accrued vacation time

• Paid sick, family, and medical leave

• Employee Wellness initiatives

• 401(k) with automatic 3% employer contribution after one year of employment

• Sundance Film Festival passes and benefits (varies each year)

*Final rate of pay is determined based on the applicant's geographic location, relevant experience and skills, and internal equity among similar positions within our organization.

**Applications open 9/23/2026 and will be accepted for at least one week