11 Jobs You Can Get in the Festival Industry

A job in the festival industry is any occupation that serves or relates to festivals. There's a wide range of roles that meet this definition. For the most up-to-date Indeed salaries, please click on the links below:

1. Event staff member

National average salary: $26,481 per year

Primary duties: An event staff member is part of the general crew of an event team. They're responsible for the logistical execution of the festival, performing whatever duties are necessary throughout its course. Staff members usually work in groups, each dedicated to a particular activity or set of activities. Their duties may include taking tickets, checking ID, setting up stages, handling cash and payment cards, cleaning the venue and disposing of waste.

2. Venue manager

National average salary: $38,775 per year

Primary duties: Some festivals take place in event-dedicated locations, such as event halls and civic centers, and it's the responsibility of a venue manager to oversee the space and work with organizers to help coordinate the event they wish to execute. Event managers promote their location as a desirable space for events, develop and maintain relationships with event organizers and work to bring in various types of programs. They are often deeply familiar with the characteristics of their venue, so they can be valuable consultants in terms of layout and logistics.

3. Brand ambassador

National average salary: $42,543 per year

Primary duties: A brand ambassador is a representative of an organization and promoter of its products or services. Companies hire ambassadors to advertise their brands at events. Brand ambassadors are usually charismatic people who engage with potential consumers at events, encouraging them to try the brand and answering questions about it.

4. Audio-visual technician

National average salary: $45,576 per year

Primary duties: An audio-visual, also known as an AV technician, sets up, operates and maintains the sound and video equipment at a festival. Before the event takes place, they arrange and connect gear such as mixing boards, lights, video components, microphones and amplifiers. They also perform sound checks with anyone scheduled to use the audio equipment and rehearse light and video displays with them.

5. Sponsorship manager

National average salary: $46,524 per year

Primary duties: A sponsorship manager oversees the sponsorship team, which festival organizers may hire to secure sponsors to help finance the event and maintain relationships with them. The sponsorship manager helps to identify potential sponsors among various organizations. They then reach out to these organizations to convince them that their sponsorship can be beneficial to their brand.

6. Social media manager

National average salary: $47,671 per year

Primary duties: A social media manager is responsible for an organization's social media presence. They oversee all of the organization's social media accounts and social media marketing staff, devise content to engage users and evaluate trends and data to keep the brand relevant. For festival organizers, social media is a major channel for promoting their event, and a social media manager is vital for that goal. Throughout the process, they aim to minimize the costs of the event to stay within budget.

7. Event manager

National average salary: $49,324 per year

Primary duties: An event manager is responsible for planning an event, organizing its components and finally executing the event. They meet with stakeholders to determine the event's focus and specifications. Like a project manager, they also set objectives and work with the other people involved with the event, such as coordinators and vendors. Throughout the process, they aim to minimize the costs of the event to stay within budget.

8. Event security officer

National average salary: $49,934 per year

Primary duties: An event security officer is a member of the team responsible for maintaining the safety of everyone at an event. They observe the crowds at the event to ensure that everyone is adhering to the event rules. Should they encounter an attendee violating rules, such as accosting another attendee, they intervene or practice crowd control to prevent escalation of the hazard.

9. Graphic designer

National average salary: $50,674 per year

Primary duties: Graphic designers create visual content, digitally or by hand, to communicate ideas. In the context of a festival, they work closely with the marketing team to design components such as advertisements, signage and promotional items. They may also be involved in designing functional objects such as the wristbands or lanyards worn by attendees or staff at the festival.

Read more: Learn About Being a Graphic Designer

10. Communications specialist

National average salary: $52,798 per year

Primary duties: A communications specialist, also known as a public relations specialist, helps to develop and maintain a brand's relationships with the public and the media. They write communications through various channels, such as social media posts and press releases, or speak at press events to provide information about the brand. When the brand faces challenges to its reputation, a communications specialist might help to develop a strategy for improving the image. Their work helps a brand to remain noticed and well regarded.

11. Vendor manager

National average salary: $54,156 per year

Primary duties: In the festival industry, the vendor management is responsible for coordinating and liaising with the numerous vendors for the event. A vendor is any third party required for a necessary component of the festival, including but not limited to sound technicians, caterers or food trucks, bartenders, booth builders and performers.

Source:

indeed.com