Project Manager, BLINK/Events & Experiences

Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber•Cincinnati, OH

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Cincinnati Regional Chamber is the premier business and civic organization dedicated to growing the vibrancy and economic prosperity of the Cincinnati region. To achieve its vision that Cincinnati is a growing, thriving region where everyone belongs, the Chamber seeks to grow our economy, grow our population, and grow our cultural vibrancy -- with the foundation of a strong business community -- to foster a welcoming environment for all. The Chamber’s membership offerings, signature leadership programs, government and regional advocacy efforts, community events such as BLINK and Oktoberfest as well as key partnerships with organizations like Cincinnati Experience, Cincinnati Compass, Cincinnati Minority Business Accelerator, and the Workforce Innovation Center lead the way in making that vision a reality. For more information, visit cincinnatichamber.com. We are seeking an experienced and resourceful Project Manager to lead infrastructure and operational planning for some of Cincinnati’s largest and most high-profile festivals, including BLINK (biannual; next occurrence October 2026), Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, Taste of Cincinnati, and Asian Food Fest. This role is essential in ensuring all technical, logistical, and site-related elements of these events are delivered smoothly on time, on budget and with safety and quality as top priorities. The ideal candidate is a skilled communicator and problem-solver with a strong background in festival operations, vendor management, permitting, and project management. This position dual reports to Vice President and Executive Director, BLINK (80%) & Vice President, Events & Experiences (20%).

Requirements

5+ years of project management experience, preferably in large-scale public festivals, experiential events, or city-wide activations
Demonstrated experience managing complex site logistics, security planning, and vendor coordination
Familiarity with local permitting processes and municipal regulations
Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills under pressure
Comfortable working in fast-paced environments with overlapping timelines and shifting priorities

Nice To Haves

Strong relationships or prior work experience with Cincinnati-based labor, venues, and vendors is a plus

Responsibilities

Budgeting & Department Oversight Partner with the Executive Director of BLINK and VP, Event and Experiences to develop the overall production budget, aligning spending plans with festival goals and operational needs.
Manage all production-related contractors and partners (e.g., site ops, security, logistics, technical services) to ensure planning and expenditures stay within approved budget parameters.
Monitor, track, and report on production expenses, providing regular updates and proactive solutions to stay on budget.
Site Operations & Infrastructure Obtain and manage all necessary property permissions for festival grounds, activations, and support facilities.
Coordinate planning for the operations at a 20,000 sq. ft. secure local facility used for staging, storage, and logistics support, including coordination of loading dock activity and 24/7 access.
Plan and implement site security strategies, including the deployment of personnel, fencing, light masts, and coordination with local law enforcement and private security teams.
Manage and track all necessary permits, including building permits, right-of-way access, and other local or state regulatory requirements.
Labor Coordination Collaborate with local labor to secure qualified labor crews to support production and technical builds, in coordination with event production partners.
Creative & Artistic Collaboration Partner with light-based artists and creative teams, especially for installations at BLINK, to support the safe and timely integration of large-scale art installations into the festival footprint.
Act as a liaison between production logistics and creative/artistic goals, ensuring that technical feasibility and artistic intent are aligned.