Job Description

IMPORTANT - If interested in the role, please be sure to apply at the full application link below.

The Security Manager is primarily responsible for:

• Conducting searches of all patrons entering the venue
• Maintaining situational awareness of the perimeter
• Responsible for Emergency Egress procedures
• Ensuring we remain staffed and on budget

Organizational Profile

Founded in 1938, Stern Grove Festival is an admission-free summer performing arts festival in San Francisco. Now entering its 88th season, the Festival draws over 100,000 people during its ten-week series of world class performances in the outdoor setting of Sigmund Stern Grove. Past seasons have included performing artists from around the world, including The Flaming Lips, Bob Moses, Chaka Khan, San Francisco Symphony, Kool & the Gang, Los Lobos, Smokey Robinson, Ziggy Marley, Carlos Santana, Allen Stone, and Janelle Monae.

As a cultural cornerstone of the Bay Area, Stern Grove Festival remains committed to making music accessible to all while celebrating artistic excellence and community connection. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences.

Leadership Standards

The festival seeks to be a world class leadership organization and each staff member is expected to embody, execute, and promote core standards of excellence: Good Character, Skill, Experience, Learning Mindset, and Composure.

Reporting Relationships

The Security Manager reports to the Director of Operations. The following positions report to the Security Manager: Assistant Safety Manager and Safety Leaders. In addition, the Security Manager works with the Operations, Perimeter, Ticket, and House Managers, Dispatch Team, Head of Security, SF Police, SFRPD Park Rangers, and Operations Staff designated to the Safety Team, as well as the Security and Medical teams.

Position Description

The Stern Grove Festival Security Manager will be responsible for recruiting, hiring the Assistant Safety Manager and Safety Leaders as well as scheduling, managing, conducting payroll and reporting on staff assigned to Safety. On a weekly basis the Security Manager will be responsible for overseeing the scheduling and managing the Safety Team. This includes training staff on policies, procedures and overseeing all activities and services related to the safety and health of patrons, with a goal of creating a secure venue in which all audience and staff members can have a positive experience. The Security Manager will oversee entrance setup, bag search, magnetometer search and perimeter monitoring as well as help manage crowd movements. The Security Manager will work with the Perimeter, Ticket, and House Managers to facilitate crowd management and control, response to patron health and safety requests and concerns, emergency response protocols, and any additional duties that pertain to the smooth functioning of the venue. The Security Manager will also be responsible for assisting the Director of Operations in concert reporting.

General Duties

• Assist in recruiting, hiring and scheduling of the Staff assigned to the Safety Team
• Work with the Director of Operations to develop and execute Safety Team training on bag and magnetometer searches, perimeter monitoring, as well as crowd movement
• Be a part of Build Day management team to de-winterize, assemble, and stage venue equipment relating to the Safety Team
• Manage daily setup and strike of search stations, signage, and queues using electric vehicles and other equipment
• Oversee patron ingress at venue entrances and search stations
• Permeate a positive and welcoming attitude and respond to issues that arise 
• Ensure enforcement and compliance with all rules and regulations in the Grove, including enforcing the prohibited items and smoking rules
• Adhere to SGFA approved policies, protocols, and procedures to ensure high standards are upheld in regards to staff professionalism and performance including the core standards
• Empower staff to articulate and embody the Festival’s mission and be ambassadors to the public

Experience and Skills Required

• 3-5 years experience managing safety and security staff preferably in a large outdoor music venue. 
• Ability to coordinate multiple schedules, lists and reports in an organized and detailed fashion
• Excellent communication skills and collaborative work ethic
• Experience providing exemplary customer service and ability to handle stressful situations with diplomacy and tact
• Working knowledge of security standards, crowd control practices, crisis intervention, emergency procedures, and first aid
• Ability to judge rapidly changing conditions and make quick decisions while adhering to SGFA guidelines
• Ability to maintain self-assurance and level-headedness and know when to turn to a supervisor if you cannot perform the job duties
• Have a great sense of humor and maintain dedication to SGFA mission

Physical Requirements

• Able to lift/carry 50lbs
• Able to experience periods of extended standing, employees must be able to remain on their feet in a stationary position.
• Able to walk and climb considerable distances including on the hillside during the course of a work day.
• Grasp, lift, carry, push and pull heavy objects such as barricades, fencing, and carts.
• Stooping, crouching and kneeling is needed to place signage throughout the Grove
• Listening and ability to speak is required. In a typical work day the employee will be interacting with large groups of people and they must have the ability to hear and clearly express their ideas with spoken words. 

If you meet some of the qualifications but not all, we encourage you to apply. We believe diverse experiences and perspectives strengthen our organization.

Work Environment / Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while successfully performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Occasionally sound levels may exceed 100 db. All efforts will be made to protect employee’s hearing. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the incumbent in this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills. 

Locations

1. SGFA Office
2. Sigmund Stern Grove, 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard, San Francisco
3. Work from Home: Video conferences as needed

Availability and Commitment:

It is expected that this opportunity will be mutually beneficial to both parties and that the employees availability and commitment to work is upheld. Stern Grove Festival attempts to accurately estimate the amount of time required to perform these job duties and expects the employee to uphold their commitment to the working arrangement.

Working Arrangement and Hours

• Must be available every Sunday: May 18, 2025 - August 17, 2025
• *except Memorial Day Weekend
• Must be available Saturdays in June + August 16th
• Up to 16 hours per week in April
• Up to 24 hours weekly advance and onsite venue work from May - August

Hybrid working style with 50% in office collaboration as mutually agreed upon. Working arrangement, hours per week, and compensation to be finalized in offer letter.

Compensation

Starting at $35 and commensurate with experience

Note on COVID-19 Pandemic

For the protection of its employees and patrons, Stern Grove Festival Association may require its employees to wear masks and to provide proof of vaccination or a recent, negative, COVID-19 test as a condition of employment. Your continued participation in this recruitment affirms that you are aware and agree with this notice.

How to apply -

Please fill out this link here -

Email

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

EEO Statement

SGFA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, SGFA complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation and training. SGFA expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

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