Festival & Activations Manager

About the RoleMonolith Technologies seeks a hands-on Festival & Activations Manager in Riyadh to oversee live event delivery—including programming, stages, cultural shows, F&B vendors, activations, and visitor experience. Must balance creative vision with real-time, multi-zone operational leadership.The successful candidate must already be based in Riyadh, hold a valid work permit/right to work in Saudi Arabia, speak fluent English, and have basic conversational Arabic.Key Responsibilities1. Festival Programming & Stage ManagementMaster Scheduling: Build and control balanced master schedules across all zones, resolving stage clashes to ensure smooth visitor flow and engagement.Stage & Technical Execution: Direct running orders, artist call times, soundchecks, and stage changeovers. Partner with AV, lighting, and stage teams to align setups with MC cues and adapt to live changes.2. Activations, Competitions & Cultural ProgrammingInteractive Zones: Plan daily schedules, games, audience competitions, and prize presentations, managing equipment, staffing, and event branding.Cultural Shows: Coordinate traditional performances and heritage demonstrations with local partners, ensuring technical production meets Saudi cultural guidelines.3. Performer, MC & Backstage LogisticsTalent Management: Serve as primary contact for artists, managing transport, credentials, hospitality, and dressing rooms.Showtime Control: Maintain detailed performer trackers, conduct venue briefings, and enforce strict performance timings to keep events on schedule.4. Vendor & F&B OperationsOnboarding & Setup: Assign spots, set restocking schedules, and oversee daily readiness for food trucks and festival concessions.Site & Safety Standards: Manage power, water, and waste requirements while enforcing health, fire, and safety compliance across stalls.5. Visitor Experience & Kids ZoneCrowd Flow & Comfort: Optimize navigation, seating, accessible routes, and queue control to resolve bottlenecks proactively.Family Operations: Oversee children’s activity timetables, equipment care, capacity tracking, and strict HSE child-safety and lost-child protocols.6. Daily Festival OperationsPre-Opening: Lead morning briefings, inspect setups, and verify staffing levels before gates open.Live & Post-Closing: Monitor real-time operations, resolve live issues, conduct post-event debriefs, and compile daily operational reports.Ideal Candidate's Core Requirement 5+ Yrs Event Leadership: Managing festivals, stages, AV, MCs & live shows.Crowd & Vendor Logistics: Directing visitor flow, guest experience, F&B & suppliers.Onsite Problem-Solving: Resolving real-time operational issues under pressure.Location & Work Permit – MandatoryCandidates must:Be currently based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Have their own valid Saudi work permit / legal right to work in KSA.Be available for the complete project period from 15 October through the end of November 2026.Monolith Technologies will not provide work visa sponsorship for this short-term position.Language RequirementsEnglish: Fluent – written and spoken.Arabic: Basic conversational ability required for onsite communication with local performers, vendors, contractors and operational teams.Professional fluency in Arabic would be a strong advantage.Preferred ExperienceSaudi Market & Culture: Riyadh event expertise aligned with Saudi norms.Local Networks: Established connections with F&B, agencies & artists.Multi-Zone Operations: Multi-stage, kids & cultural zone mastery.Key SkillsEntertainment, Stage & Vendor Operations: End-to-end management of program schedules, artists, MCs, cultural acts, food vendors, and third-party event suppliers.Visitor Flow, Activations & Family Zones: Directing crowd movement, queue lines, interactive fan zones, brand activations, public contests, and family-friendly areas.Onsite Leadership & Stakeholder Reporting: Resolving real-time operational issues, coordinating production logistics, and aligning internal and external stakeholders through daily reporting.Working StyleOperationally Strong & Proactive: Highly organized, calm under pressure, and fast to resolve live issues before they escalate.Versatile & Hands-On: Confident managing multiple festival zones simultaneously and willing to do whatever it takes to ensure delivery.Effective Communicator: Energetic and articulate when liaising with performers, vendors, and senior stakeholders.Culturally Attuned: Creative, practical, and deeply respectful of Saudi cultural standards and operating environments.Note: This is an onsite role requiring extended hours, evenings, and weekends during setup, rehearsals, and festival days.Application RequirementsInterested candidates must submit:Updated CV detailing relevant event history.Current Location in Riyadh & confirmation of valid KSA work permit.Availability Confirmation for the full duration (15 October – 30 November 2026).Language Proficiency details (English and Arabic).Portfolio / Work Examples highlighting past large-scale festivals, activations, or public events managed (specifically in KSA, if applicable).Financial Expectation (expected project fee/monthly rate) & earliest joining date.Please apply only if you are currently based in Riyadh, have the legal right to work in Saudi Arabia, and are available for the complete project duration.