Ice Climbing Festival Director

Bozeman Ice Festival®
PO Box 6275
Bozeman, MT 59771

www.bozemanicefest.com

Festival Director – Job Description

The Festival Director (FD) is the primary management leader for the Bozeman Ice Festival®, aka Bozeman Ice Climbing Festival or Bozeman Ice Fest (BIF). The BIF started in 1996 and is a seven-day event held every December. It is owned and operated by the Ice Climbing Alliance (ICA), a 501(c)3  non-profit.

ICE CLIMBING ALLIANCE is a corporation organized exclusively for charitable purposes dedicated to promoting participation in climbing and mountaineering while preserving access and quality climbing experiences across America.

Location: Gallatin or Park County, Montana

Status: Exempt

Reports to:     President of the Board of Directors (BOD)

Direct Reports: Hyalite Coordinator, Registration Coordinator, Event Coordinator, Creative Coordinator, additional managers, contractors and staff as needed.

Objective:

The BIF endeavors to influence and change the lives of others through teaching and promoting ice climbing as an inclusive and positive life sport, supporting winter access to Hyalite, and shared experiences via classes, films and lectures.

The Festival Director is responsible for maintaining a safe, positive and encouraging work environment for all staff, volunteers, partners and participants while fostering an organizational culture of accountability, feedback, and professionalism.

While, the FD is responsible for overseeing all functions of a successful BIF, they do not work alone. In the spirit of efficiency, productivity and Team work, many duties and responsibilities can be accomplished by working with their direct reports (listed above). 

Duties/Responsibilities:

1. Fiduciary:

• Accountable for approved budget, including overseeing all costs and revenue for all festival events.

• Organize and manage the event in a positive financial position.

• In coordination with accountant, ensure payroll, accounts payable and accounts receivable are managed according to the best practices and policies set forth by ICA.

• Responsible for strategic planning and resource development that ensures the long-term health and success of the event and future goals.

2. Supervision and Management:

• Independently works to maintain and retain competent, qualified event staff by recruiting, selecting, hiring, orienting, and training new employees and volunteers. This includes but is not limited to Hyalite Coordinator, Registration Coordinator, Creative Coordinator, Event Coordinator, Sales Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator.

• Identify, define, and hire any outside contractors or consultants as needed.

• Set scope of work, deadlines, budgets and performance reviews for key staff as required.

• Meet regularly with Board, Senior Staff and others as required to review finances, work plans, marketing, branding strategy and status reports.

• Responsible for processes and policies required for efficient movement of information and people resulting in a safe and positive customer experience. e.g. canyon clinics, in-town classes, registration process, demo check out, merchandise sales.

3. Relationship Management:

• Responsible for all sponsorships and strategic relationships with emphasis on US Forest Service, Gallatin County, title sponsor, heritage sponsors, venue managers, printers, suppliers, other ice festival partners as required.

4. Event Planning & Marketing:

• Lead the public relations efforts and marketing of the Bozeman Ice Festival.

• Lead the BIF in developing world-class clinics and programming in both Hyalite Canyon and in Bozeman.

• Create achievable, yet remarkable, annual events and clinics taking into consideration capacity, budgets, permits, restrictions and goals of BIF.

• Maintain an awareness and understanding of the “climbing festival industry,” adventure and mountain film festivals, and ice-climbing world to determine potential speakers, clinic athletes, films and other trends in the marketplace. Strive to be an industry leader and pioneer.

5. Other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

General Qualifications:

1. A proven track record organizing major events and volunteers.

2. Demonstrated understanding of basic budgeting and accounting processes, financial documents and fiduciary responsibility.

3. Significant ice climbing experience or at climbing festivals preferred.

4. A proven ability to forge and maintain strong professional relationships with industry sponsors, local businesses and government, service providers, volunteers and other community leaders.

5. Proven examples demonstrating leadership skills, including negotiation, problem solving, decision making and delegation.

6. Strong communication skills, both oral and written; ability to speak effectively and persuasively to large groups and individuals.

7. Demonstrated ability to supervise professionals and other staff/volunteers who may be remote or in fast-paced environments.

8. Experience working with computers and software, including Google Drive, Microsoft Office, QuickBooks, Social Media, Acrobat and others.

9. A strong passion for the goals and mission of Bozeman Ice Festival.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

1. Prolonged periods of standing

2. The ability to work remotely.

3. The ability to work effectively and professionally over long hours during the Ice Festival and at trade shows.

4. Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds with or without assistance.

5. Some regional travel by rental car or plane.

6. Must be able to work in an outside environment that may involve exposure to extreme cold and inclement weather conditions.

Last Update: February, 2020

Bozeman Ice Festival® is a federally registered trademark of Ice Climbing Alliance.

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