The Festival Concessions Manager will support the food and beverages team for 2025 Vancouver Writers Fest, which takes place 20-26 October 2025. 

About the Vancouver Writers Fest 

The Vancouver Writers Fest connects people to exceptional books, ideas, and dialogue through year-round programming that ignites a passion for words and the world around us. Our activities include our flagship annual literary Festival, one of the largest and most prestigious in North America. Tens of thousands of readers visit the cultural hub of Granville Island and venues around Vancouver to connect with local and international authors during this week-long event. And throughout the year, we offer free and paid special author events, youth education programming with Writers in the Classroom, and an annual Youth Writing Contest. 

Job Description: 

The concessions manager oversees volunteers and concessions inventory at four venues during the Vancouver Writers Fest (20-26 October 2025). They report directly to the managing director, are expected to join weekly production calls (as needed) during September and October, and to attend and support Volunteer Training sessions the week before festival. Their work hours during the festival are Tuesday-Saturday, approximately 4pm-10:30/11pm. 

This position is a contract position, offered at $24/hr for an estimated 40-50 hrs before and during the Festival (20-26 October 2025). The position is in-person, based at the Vancouver Writers Fest office on Granville Island. 

Responsibilities 

The Concessions Manager is responsible for:  

• Ensuring that all concessions staff and volunteers have up-to-date Serving It Right certifications   

• With managing director, confirming snack and drink (including alcohol) needs for all venues, pre-festival  

• Overseeing/preparing all equipment and signage for concessions at venues  

• Preparing concession reconciliation sheets  

• Working with the managing director to secure/source concession supplies (includes food purchase, coffee/tea, wine/beer donations, etc.)  

• Overseeing set-up of concessions/bars at ALL venues with help of venue coordinators (Performance Works, Waterfront, NEST, Revue Stage)  

• Working with volunteer manager to determine volunteer requirements and confirm job descriptions for volunteers  

• Supervising concession volunteers as needed  

• Acting as a ‘floater’ during events, checking in at each venue to ensure concessions are running smoothly  

• Monitoring concession, bar, and hospitality suite inventory and sales, checking in with managing director throughout festival  

• Supervising strike for concession and bars  

• Submitting concessions final report inclusive of sales information, review of activities, and suggestions for next year.  

Qualifications: 

• The Contractor is to be fully certified and licensed as appropriate, including Serving It Right. 

• Hospitality and/or food service experience (or equivalent) is required. 

• Role involves a moderate amount of moving between various locations on Granville Island; should be able to pull a small utility wagon, and do some light/moderate lifting and carrying.

The Vancouver Writers Fest strives to create a welcoming and accessible space for everyone to engage with ideas that can transform our world. We are an equal opportunity employer, and committed to supporting an inclusive, diverse, and accessible environment. We recognize and value the diverse experiences that each member of our team brings, and we encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups, and anyone who is excited about joining our team.