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Job Description

Job Title: Ceremonies Manager

Division: Programming
Department: Ceremonies
Reports to: Programming Director
Position Type: Unpaid Volunteer
Location: Remote with occasional in-person meetings (location-dependent), expected to be on-site during convention dates, including the day before and the day after for setup and teardown.

About Anthro SoCal

Anthro SoCal is a community-driven convention celebrating furry fandom through art, performance, gaming, and social connection. Our success depends on the dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteer team. Anthro SoCal was formally known as Another Furry Con in 2024-2025.

Position Overview

The Ceremonies Manager is a high-profile leadership role responsible for the creative direction, script assembly, and operational execution of the convention's flagship events: Opening and Closing Ceremonies. In this role, you will act as the master puzzle-solver, gathering vital data from every department across the convention and translating it into a cohesive, high-energy presentation for thousands of attendees. You will lead the Ceremonies Staff, direct scheduling, and coordinate closely with executive leadership, technical production crews, and VIP talent to ensure that the convention starts with a massive spark and finishes with a memorable, emotional send-off.

Time Commitment

• Year-round: 1-2 hours per month for planning and communication
• As convention approaches: Gradually increasing to 2-5 hours per week
• Convention weekend: On-site presence is required with flexible hours
• Pre and post-convention: On-site presence is required to assist with setup and teardown activities the day before and the day after the event

Key Responsibilities

Your role focuses on cross-department production, asset coordination, and live event management:

• Team Leadership & Scheduling: Manage, mentor, and guide the Ceremonies Staff. You will develop and maintain their shift schedules, track assignments, and ensure full team coverage across all rehearsals and live shows using department spreadsheets
• Executive Production Collaboration: Work hand-in-hand with the ASC leadership teams to conceptualize, script, and produce the overall creative vision for both opening and closing ceremonies
• Information Aggregation: Act as the central repository for convention metrics, announcements, upcoming dates, and milestones -collecting vital information from internal teams to package and present seamlessly to the audience.
• Visual Asset Creation: Collaborate directly with the Creative and TPD Visuals team to story-board, source, and build stunning graphics, video packages, and background loops for the main stage screens
• Live Show Calling & Execution: Coordinate closely with the Stage Manager and the Master of Ceremonies to ensure cue timings, talent entrances, and show flows execute successfully without a hitch
• VIP & Guest Management: Partner with the GoH (Guest of Honor) Liaison team and other VIP coordinators to ensure all necessary headliners, guests, and performers are briefed, present backstage, and ready for their designated stage cues

Qualifications

Required:

• Leadership Experience: Proven ability to manage a team, delegate tasks effectively under intense live-production pressure, and maintain high morale backstage
• Organizational Prowess: Exceptional organizational, tracking, and logistics skills; you must be highly comfortable managing spreadsheets for shift-tracking and building minute-by-minute show scripts (run-of-shows)
• Problem-Solving & Agility: The ability to "think on your feet" when live programming shifts, a guest runs late, or a video asset fails to load, finding instantaneous, calm workarounds
• Professionalism: Effective interpersonal skills to handle high-stakes interactions with convention leadership, high-profile Guests of Honor, and technical crew heads with a calm, reassuring, and authoritative demeanor

Preferred:

• Fandom & Convention Knowledge: A deep understanding of convention culture, community inside jokes, and pacing dynamics, allowing you to craft ceremonies that resonate deeply with the audience
• Live Event Production Background: Prior experience as a show producer, stage manager, creative director, or production coordinator for main stage events, theater, or concerts
• Conflict Resolution Skills: Outstanding diplomatic skills to balance competing department requests, keep highly visible talent calm backstage, and resolve scheduling or cueing friction gracefully
• Technical Aptitude: Familiarity with live production workflows -understanding how lighting cues, video playback, and audio patches intersect to efficiently communicate needs to technical crew heads

What We Offer

While this is an unpaid volunteer position, we provide:

• Free convention membership and staff perks
• Staff hospitality (meals/snacks during your shifts at-con)
• Exclusive staff events and social opportunities
• Recognition in convention materials
• Experience in event management and team leadership
• A supportive, creative community environment
• References and recommendation letters upon request

Anthro SoCal is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, experiences, and skill levels. All volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.