Business Operations Manager | North Carolina Azalea Festival

Join the team behind one of the Southeast’s most iconic celebrations! The North Carolina Azalea Festival is hiring a Business Operations Manager to help power the behind-the-scenes work that makes the North Carolina Azalea Festival possible. This role oversees day-to-day business operations, ticketing, and financial processes while supporting staff, volunteers, and Festival leadership. If you’re highly organized, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and care deeply about guest experience, we’d love to connect.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee day-to-day business operations to ensure efficient, well-organized, and guest-focused office and ticketing environments.
Manage all accounts payable and accounts receivable, including invoicing, vendor coordination, and QuickBooks data entry.
Manage the Festival Ticket Office, including ticketing systems, procedures, staffing, scheduling, and customer service standards.
Hire, train, schedule, and lead seasonal ticketing staff, volunteers, and interns, fostering a positive, sales-oriented team culture.
Ensure health, safety, and operational compliance across office, retail, and ticketing functions.
Audit, develop, and improve operational processes and procedures to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
Oversee daily cash handling, reconciliation of cash boxes, and financial accuracy across ticketing and retail operations.
Coordinate with Festival accountants to ensure reconciliations, compliance, internal controls, and financial checks and balances.
Manage merchandise, retail sales, inventory, and off-season sales initiatives to drive revenue.
Organize and distribute sponsorship tickets, VIP packages, ticket promotions, and special event allotments.
Monitor customer satisfaction and address service issues or feedback in a timely and professional manner.
Manage the General Administration budget and assist with development and oversight of the overall Festival and committee budgets.
Prepare financial and operational reports, including Treasurer’s Reports, for the Executive Director and Board.
Serve as staff liaison to assigned committees, events, programs, and sponsorship initiatives.
Execute strategic and operational plans that support the Festival’s growth, financial sustainability, and high standards of service.

Qualifications

We’re looking for someone who:

Proficient in Quickbooks.
Takes initiative and works well independently.
A team leader for front office staff and a cheerleader for the team.
Can manage multiple projects simultaneously and stay highly organized.
Is proficient with technology and learns new tools quickly.
Has excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Works well under pressure and in fast-paced environments.
Adapts easily and strives to improve processes.
Has strong problem-solving abilities.
Delivers excellent guest service in every interaction.
Has reliable transportation.
Has a flexible schedule during peak season (January–April), as extra hours will be needed both in office and on-site at events.

Salary & Benefits: Salary range commensurate with experience. This is a full-time, on-site position. Full-time employees are eligible for the Festival’s medical insurance plan (Festival pays 50%) after a 90-day probationary period.

Mission Statement

The mission of the North Carolina Azalea Festival is to be nationally recognized as a showcase for our community’s rich array of artwork, gardens, history, and culture through recreational, educational, and family-oriented events. The Festival encourages volunteerism and civic participation as it contributes to the region’s economy and promotes the unique qualities of our river-to-the-sea community.

If you're passionate about festivals, community engagement, and bringing large-scale events to life, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today and help shape one of North Carolina’s most beloved traditions!

North Carolina Azalea Festival Jobs

Business Operations Manager