Senior Manager, Activations and Partnerships

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.