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Festival Operations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Festival Lead

$18 - $21/hr

Race Operations Type: Full Time As a Festival Lead at Spartan Race, you'll be at the forefront of overseeing the setup, management, and breakdown of festival areas at our events. This hands-on role ...

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Festival Coordinator

Knoxville, TN · Remote

$17 - $18/hr

Festival Coordinator / Executive Director Assistant Company Description The Asian Culture Center of ... Support event setup, operations, and breakdown activities. * Marketing & Communications * Assist ...

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Festival Lead

Boston, MA · On-site

$18 - $21/hr

Race Operations Type: Full Time As a Festival Lead at Spartan Race, you'll be at the forefront of overseeing the setup, management, and breakdown of festival areas at our events. This hands-on role ...

Associate Comedy Festival Programmer Job Purpose SXSW is seeking an Associate Comedy Programmer to ... Maintain up-to-date project and programming trackers, ensuring operational milestones are met, and ...

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Festival Operations information

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$11

$26

$53

How much do festival operations jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for festival operations in the United States is $26.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.79 and $30.29 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Festival Operations job?

A Festival Operations job involves planning, organizing, and overseeing the logistical aspects of a festival to ensure smooth execution. Responsibilities may include coordinating vendors, managing site setup, handling permits, supervising staff, and ensuring safety protocols are followed. This role requires strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment. Effective communication and teamwork are critical to managing multiple aspects of the event efficiently.

How much do bands get paid to play at a festival?

Festival performers' pay varies widely based on their popularity, the festival's size, and the act's prominence, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per performance. Established bands or headliners typically earn more, while local or emerging artists may perform for less or for exposure. Payment terms are often negotiated in contracts and can include additional perks like accommodations or travel expenses.

How to become a festival organizer?

To become a festival organizer, gain experience in event planning, project management, or hospitality, and develop strong organizational and communication skills. Many organizers start by volunteering or working for existing festivals, and obtaining certifications in event management can enhance credibility. Building a network within the industry and understanding logistics, permits, and budgeting are also important steps.

What are the most in demand festival jobs?

Festival operations roles such as event coordinators, security personnel, stage managers, and technical staff are among the most in demand. These positions require strong organizational skills, the ability to work under pressure, and often involve working long hours during event periods.

What jobs pay $2000 a day?

High-paying jobs that can pay around $2000 a day include specialized roles such as senior project managers, certain executive positions, and highly experienced consultants in fields like finance, law, or technology. These roles often require advanced skills, certifications, or extensive experience, and may involve consulting, contract work, or leadership responsibilities in large organizations.

What are some common challenges faced in Festival Operations and how can they be managed successfully?

In Festival Operations, managing last-minute changes, coordinating diverse vendors, and ensuring attendee safety are common challenges. Success often hinges on the ability to think quickly under pressure, maintain clear communication with team members, and proactively address potential issues like weather disruptions or crowd control. Working collaboratively across departments—such as security, production, and guest services—is key to effective problem-solving. Developing contingency plans and building strong relationships with suppliers and community stakeholders can also help you navigate unexpected obstacles with confidence.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Festival Operations position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Festival Operations, you need strong organizational skills, logistical expertise, and experience in event management or hospitality. Familiarity with project management software, ticketing systems, and safety compliance certifications is often expected. Outstanding interpersonal communication, adaptability, and problem-solving skills help set you apart in this dynamic environment. These capabilities are essential to ensure seamless execution, guest satisfaction, and smooth coordination among multiple teams during fast-paced events.

More about Festival Operations jobs
What cities are hiring for Festival Operations jobs? Cities with the most Festival Operations job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Festival Operations jobs? The most popular types of Festival Operations jobs are:
What states have the most Festival Operations jobs? States with the most job openings for Festival Operations jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Festival Operations jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Festival Operations jobs are:
Infographic showing various Festival Operations job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 11% Temporary. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,588 per year, or $26.2 per hour.
Festival Lead

$18 - $21/hr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


First Tee rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

23rd of 682 rated non-profit organizations


Job description

ABOUT US
A worldwide leader in endurance sports, Spartan is a high-growth, international organization that owns and operates mass-participation athletic events under the brands Spartan®, Tough Mudder®, Spartan Trail®, Hurricane Heat, and DEKA, and offers numerous related fitness, health, and nutrition services and products. We create transformational experiences, products, and content to help people, companies, and teams tear down boundaries and expand what they believe to be possible. Together with its many subsidiaries and licensees, Spartan combines large-scale global events with a vibrant digital content and community platform. With 250 events across more than 40 countries on six continents, Spartan is the world's leading extreme wellness and endurance brand.
ABOUT THE GIG
Location: Remote US
Department: Race Operations
Type: Full Time
As a Festival Lead at Spartan Race, you'll be at the forefront of overseeing the setup, management, and breakdown of festival areas at our events. This hands-on role requires leadership, coordination, and problem-solving to ensure an efficient, high-energy event experience.
DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Unloading and organize the contents of the Festival Trailer within base camp
  • Gather and verify inventory of tents from previous race and prepare for distribution
  • Coordinate with Festival Manager and Race Director the layout of festival to ensure all activations, tents and fence lines fit within the specific guidelines and limitations of the venue
  • Supervise and lead the assembly of all Spartan owned tents (20x20s, 10x20s, 10x10s)
  • Transport (operate a skid) zone supplies as tents and zones are assembled
  • Maintain a high tempo management style to ensure the productivity and efficiency among staff is optimal during build week and race day(s)
  • Supervise the distribution of toilets and handle any questions as instructed by Festival Manager
  • Manage volunteers and support staff in an efficient and deliberate manner through delegation of tasks.
  • Create/oversee zone specific fence lines
  • Have all materials necessary for support staff to set up zones and distributed from base camp to zones
  • Be available to run supplies and volunteers to areas of need in festival, both build week, race day(s), and load out
  • Be able to maneuver through festival on race day with an understanding of what needs to be done at varying times (volunteer switchover, staff breaks, checking power sources, directing volunteers to areas of need)
  • Supervise and lead the taking down and storage of all Spartan owned tents
  • Supervise the cleaning and packing of zone materials into zone specific crates
  • Operate and load all festival materials back into the festival trailer after being provided a load plan by the Festival Manager

Requirements
REQUIREMENTS:
  • Have experience as a manager in a high pace environment
  • Have experience operating machinery, or be willing to learn
  • Be comfortable traveling 100 days or more during the year
  • Be prepared and comfortable with working outside in all severe weather situations
  • Be physically capable of working long hours 10+ days consecutively
  • Be willing to learn the processes set in place, while maintaining an analytical and problem solving mindset to improve these procedures
  • Must be able to manage high volumes of people with an efficient approach to accomplishing mission critical task

Salary Description
$18-$21 per hour