About Sail4th 250

Sail4th 250, the New York and New Jersey component of Sail 250, a five-port consortium creating tall ship events in New Orleans, Norfolk, Baltimore and Boston, is the official high-profile international tall ship and government project formed to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States. As a major component of a nationwide endeavor, Sail4th 250 will host tall ships over the weekend of July 4, 2026. The six-day celebration, July 3-8, will be the culmination of a multi-year platform of storytelling, events and diverse celebrations around the nation.

About the Role

Sail4th 250 is seeking an experienced Venue Manager to support ship touring operations across multiple waterfront locations as part of the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations. This role is responsible for end-to-end venue management—from advance planning and permitting through on-site operations and load-out—ensuring safe, compliant, and exceptional public-facing events in complex maritime environments.

The Venue Manager will serve as the primary on-site lead for assigned locations, coordinating production, vendors, agencies, and internal teams to deliver seamless operations across all phases of execution.

Key Responsibilities

Venue & Site Management

• Serve as the primary venue management lead for assigned pier locations
• Conduct advance site visits, technical walk-throughs, and operational assessments
• Evaluate site infrastructure, utilities, access points, crowd flow, waterfront interfaces, and emergency access
• Develop, maintain, and distribute detailed site maps and operational layouts, including:
• Public access and queuing areas
• Secure and restricted zones
• Ingress/egress routes
• Credentialing areas
• Medical, security, and command posts
• Oversee site readiness from load-in through public touring days and load-out

Production & Operations

• Manage on-site production elements including temporary infrastructure, fencing, tents, signage, power, lighting, communications, and back-of-house operations
• Coordinate load-in and load-out schedules across multiple locations
• Ensure adherence to approved production timelines and operational plans
• Identify operational risks and develop mitigation and contingency plans in coordination with Sail4th 250 leadership

Permitting & Regulatory Coordination

• Lead venue-specific permitting coordination in collaboration with Sail4th 250
• Coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies, port authorities, and venue owners
• Ensure compliance with jurisdictional requirements, maritime regulations, and venue rules
• Track and maintain documentation related to permits, inspections, and approvals

Vendor & Stakeholder Coordination

• Serve as primary liaison with venue owners, municipalities, port authorities, and maritime stakeholders
• Coordinate on-site vendors, including production, infrastructure, utilities, and service providers
• Manage vendor access, credentialing requirements, staging areas, and site rules enforcement
• Participate in stakeholder meetings and operational briefings

Internal Team Collaboration

• Coordinate closely with internal teams, including:
• Security & Access Control
• Medical & Emergency Services
• Accreditation & Credentialing
• Transportation & Logistics
• Communications & Guest Experience
• Ensure venue-specific needs are integrated into overall operational, safety, and security plans
• Participate in cross-functional planning meetings and readiness briefings

Documentation & Reporting

• Produce venue advance documents for each touring location
• Maintain site plans, maps, and operational documentation
• Provide regular status updates on venue readiness and risks
• Produce daily operations reports during event operations
• Deliver post-event reports including issues, resolutions, and lessons learned

Qualifications

• 10+ year Demonstrated experience managing large-scale public events
• Experience with multi-site or touring event operations
• Waterfront, port, or maritime environment experience strongly preferred
• Strong knowledge of permitting processes, public safety coordination, and live-event operations
• Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders and vendors in high-pressure environments
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills

Work Environment & Expectations

• Extensive travel required across pier locations
• On-site presence required during advance planning, load-in, event days, and load-out
• Extended and irregular hours, including nights and weekends
• Outdoor work in variable weather conditions

 

How to Apply

Please submit a brief statement of interest and resume to jo**@*****th.org