Festival Manager, Media Accreditation

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Festival Manager, Media Accreditation is charged with leading all aspects of press accreditation, including managing administrative and logistical duties to process assigned accreditation of media, publicists, and crews to the Festival. This position will oversee one employee.

Working closely under the direction of Manager, Communications and the Interim Head of Communications, the work of Festival Manager, Media Accreditation supports Sundance Institute’s commitment to artists and is part of furthering awareness, relevance, and impact of our mission.

This temporary position works full time from Monday, July 7, 2025 through Friday, February 13, 2026 and will be required to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends to meet key deadlines and respond to on-call needs. This position must be based within a commutable distance to our Park City, UT office in order to work onsite in a hybrid capacity throughout its employment. There will be ample opportunity for remote work leading up to the Festival in January.

Top priorities include but are not limited to…

• Maintaining accurate and complete information for all global journalist and publicist accreditation applicants in the database.

• Developing and engaging with target media to apply for accreditation.

• Overseeing the press accreditation office at the Festival and managing timely requests.

• Planning, composing, and managing all communications relevant to accreditation including invitations to apply and badge participation details.

• Working closely with Technology Services, maintaining the online press application and promptly documenting and troubleshooting issues as they arise.

• Processing accreditation applications, making recommendations, and leading application review meetings.

• Communicating Festival details, accreditation types, and logistical information with media and publicists.

• Tracking, parsing, and reporting press corps demographic data for journalists and publicists.

• Submitting credential information and working closely with the Ticketing team to meet deadlines.

• Working with our Content Management System (CMS) to input all approved applicants and manage their registration process.

• Serving as the main point of contact for journalists and publicists regarding questions, concerns, and providing timely correspondence regarding their application status both leading up to and onsite at the Festival.

• Handle credential distribution and organization process on site for accredited press and publicists.

• Advising the Press Office team and other Institute departments on accredited press details, including partners.

• Pitching and coordinating press in advance of and during the Festival, including securing coverage and interviews, onsite staffing, and supplying information to journalists.

• Drafting and working closely with the team on press announcements, including press releases, media alerts, and pitches.

• Collaborating on the kickoff press event, to entail sending out the invitation, tracking RSVPs, and managing inquiries.

• Supporting press lines, screenings and events as assigned.

• Exporting and sharing latest versions of internal and external press lists for stakeholders.

• Distributing screening attendance data to publicists.

• Managing a seasonal team member in all accreditation duties including providing direction, feedback, and support to ensure employees understand responsibilities and are effective in their roles.

• Overseeing volunteers in the Press Office during the Festival.

• Collaborating on press office preparation in advance of the Festival on site and being the main point of contact in the Press Office throughout the duration of the Festival onsite in the press office.

• Managing multiple internal inboxes to assist with any questions or issues from press.

• Providing a comprehensive written wrap report as directed.

You have the following direct or transferable skill sets:

• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

• 3 years experience in media relations, communications, publicity, public relations, marketing, or related.

• Outstanding written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills to work effectively with a variety of people.

• Excellent organizational skills.

• Detail-oriented, with the ability to audit work to avo