CIFF50 Volunteer Manager

Position Overview

The Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) is seeking a Volunteer Manager to co-lead the Volunteer Team by recruiting, training, scheduling, and supervising volunteers and associated staff. Volunteers are a primary community connection point and contribute to most Festival events across Cleveland (like film screenings, panels, industry events, receptions, and lounges). This role will help to shape CIFF’s Volunteer program by contributing to processes, protocols, guidelines, and goals within the Operations Department.

Projected Pay Schedule (subject to change)

• $1,500.00 on 4/1/2026
• $1,500.00 on 4/24/2026

Principle Duties

• Staff collaboration, including:
  • Utilizing assigned CFS tools and applications, like AirTable and Slack
  • Participating fully in meetings and training as assigned
  • Collaborating productively with CIFF staff and volunteers
  • Addressing conflicts proactively inside of CIFF’s pathways to resolution
  • Collaborating on accessibility initiatives across departments
  • Performing additional duties as assigned
• Pre-Festival planning, including:
  • Supporting recruitment of new and returning volunteers while managing contact information and other relevant details
  • Defining the requirements, roles, and responsibilities of volunteers, including processes and procedures
  • Supporting Volunteer orientations both in-person and online, including contributing to the agenda and presenting accurate and relevant material 
  • Managing Volunteer Team schedules, including associated staff and volunteers
• Festival execution, including:
  • Attending Volunteer team meetings including trainings and regular check-ins, facilitating communication and collaboration among the team
  • Supervising all CIFF Volunteers and serve as their main point of contact, providing information, onboarding, training, feedback, and guidance as needed
  • Corresponding with volunteers and staff regularly via Slack, newsletters, emails, phone, digital, and in-person communications
  • Compiling and organizing the distribution of volunteer supplies such as t-shirts, badges, lanyards, vouchers, coupons, and parking passes
  • Overseeing the set-up and breakdown of Volunteer spaces for the Festival
  • Liaising with venue volunteer and house management staff
  • Organizing volunteer recognition programs like Volunteer Appreciation Day
• Post-Festival documentation, including:
  • Documenting departmental procedures alongside Operations Director
  • Returning equipment and supplies to storage and organizing as assigned
  • Providing post-Festival notes, feedback, and reports
  • Participating in an exit interview as scheduled

Skills, Experience, Qualifications

• Experience managing people in live events, performance, backstage, or film production (3 years preferred)
• Strong initiative, sense of urgency, and ability to work with a high degree of autonomy.
• High level of comfort handing pressure and understanding deadline-driven environments
• Attention to detail and a high level of accuracy
• Excellent organization, planning, and productivity skills
• Impeccable verbal and written communication skills 
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and long days during scheduled Festival events
• Ability to move frequently between venues
• High technical aptitude, including proficiency in Google Workspace, Slack, Mailchimp, and virtual meeting platforms
• Experience in Airtable requested but not required
• Experience managing volunteers or building community partnerships (3 years preferred)

Working Conditions

This position will require prolonged sitting, standing, and frequent moving during working hours. This position may require lifting, carrying, and loading equipment weighing up to 40 pounds. (Accommodations available.)

Location

Cleveland Film Society staff work in a mostly remote environment, with increasing time on site(s) as the Festival approaches. Festival events will occur at Playhouse Square, Idea Center, Cedar Lee Theatre, and other sites as scheduled. Candidates should be geographically based in Greater Cleveland by March 2026 for pre-Festival training, site visits, and preparatory work.

Applying

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and complete a short questionnaire at this link. Please direct questions to Operations Director Woody Shticks at woody@clevelandfilm.org.

About CIFF

The Cleveland Film Society produces the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF), which stands as one of the longest-running and largest film festivals in the United States. CIFF promotes artistically and culturally significant film arts through education and exhibition to enrich the life of the community. We live our mission by presenting Cleveland audiences with the best new films from around the world which offer valuable insights into diverse cultures, relevant topics, and the independent perspectives of local and global filmmakers.

The Cleveland Film Society is an equal opportunity employer. We actively recruit a wide pool of applicants that represent dimensions of difference that include, but are not limited to: race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, national or ethnic origin, or any other legally protected status except as permitted by law.

Contractor Status

This position does not offer benefits. The earnings are subject to Self-Employment Tax and no deductions will be made on your behalf. This job is not eligible for any cost reimbursements related to the contracted work unless otherwise arranged. You will be issued an IRS Form 1099.