Ceremonies Manager

Job Title

Ceremonies Manager

Division

Programming

Department

Ceremonies

Reports to

Programming Director

Position Type

Unpaid Volunteer

Location

Remote with occasional in-person meetings (location-dependent), expected to be on-site during convention dates, including the day before and the day after for setup and teardown.

About Anthro SoCal

Anthro SoCal is a community-driven convention celebrating furry fandom through art, performance, gaming, and social connection. Our success depends on the dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteer team. Anthro SoCal was formally known as Another Furry Con in 2024-2025.

Position Overview

The Ceremonies Manager is a high-profile leadership role responsible for the creative direction, script assembly, and operational execution of the convention's flagship events: Opening and Closing Ceremonies. In this role, you will act as the master puzzle-solver, gathering vital data from every department across the convention and translating it into a cohesive, high-energy presentation for thousands of attendees. You will lead the Ceremonies Staff, direct scheduling, and coordinate closely with executive leadership, technical production crews, and VIP talent to ensure that the convention starts with a massive spark and finishes with a memorable, emotional send-off.

Time Commitment

Year-round

1-2 hours per month for planning and communication

As convention approaches

Gradually increasing to 2-5 hours per week

Convention weekend

On-site presence is required with flexible hours

Pre and post-convention

On-site presence is required to assist with setup and teardown activities the day before and the day after the event

Key Responsibilities

Your role focuses on cross-department production, asset coordination, and live event management

Team Leadership & Scheduling

Manage, mentor, and guide the Ceremonies Staff. You will develop and maintain their shift schedules, track assignments, and ensure full team coverage across all rehearsals and live shows using department spreadsheets

Executive Production Collaboration

Work hand-in-hand with the ASC leadership teams to conceptualize, script, and produce the overall creative vision for both opening and closing ceremonies

Information Aggregation

Act as the central repository for convention metrics, announcements, upcoming dates, and milestones –collecting vital information from internal teams to package and present seamlessly to the audience.

Visual Asset Creation

Collaborate directly with the Creative and TPD Visuals team to story-board, source, and build stunning graphics, video packages, and background loops for the main stage screens

Live Show Calling & Execution

Coordinate closely with the Stage Manager and the Master of Ceremonies to ensure cue timings, talent entrances, and show flows execute successfully without a hitch

VIP & Guest Management

Partner with the GoH (Guest of Honor) Liaison team and other VIP coordinators to ensure all necessary headliners, guests, and performers are briefed, present backstage, and ready for their designated stage cues

Qualifications

Required

Leadership Experience

Proven ability to manage a team, delegate tasks effectively under intense live-production pressure, and maintain high morale backstage

Organizational Prowess

Exceptional organizational, tracking, and logistics skills; you must be highly comfortable managing spreadsheets for shift-tracking and building minute-by-minute show scripts (run-of-shows)

Problem-Solving & Agility

The ability to "think on your feet" when live programming shifts, a guest runs late, or a video asset fails to load, finding instantaneous, calm workarounds

Professionalism

Effective interpersonal skills to handle high-stakes interactions with convention leadership, high-profile Guests of Honor, and technical crew heads with a calm, reassuring, and authoritative demeanor

Preferred

Fandom & Convention Knowledge

A deep understanding of convention culture, community inside jokes, and pacing dynamics, allowing you to craft ceremonies that resonate deeply with the audience

Live Event Production Background

Prior experience as a show producer, stage manager, creative director, or production coordinator for main stage events, theater, or concerts

Conflict Resolution Skills

Outstanding diplomatic skills to balance competing department requests, keep highly visible talent calm backstage, and resolve scheduling or cueing friction gracefully

Technical Aptitude

Familiarity with live production workflows –understanding how lighting cues, video playback, and audio patches intersect to efficiently communicate needs to technical crew heads

What We Offer

While this is an unpaid volunteer position, we provide

Free convention membership and staff perks

Staff hospitality (meals/snacks during your shifts at-con)

Exclusive staff events and social opportunities

Recognition in convention materials

Experience in event management and team leadership

A supportive, creative community environment

References and recommendation letters upon request

Anthro SoCal is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, experiences, and skill levels. All volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.