Bar Manager - Top of the Park

Bar Manager, Top of the Park

ABOUT A2SF

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival (A2SF) champions performing arts, outdoor entertainment, and community spirit. In addition to a nearly four-week festival each June that attracts a diverse audience of over 80,000 people and offers over 200 concerts, art exhibitions, kids activities, spectacle, and film screenings, A2SF presents compelling experiences throughout the year.

ROLE OVERVIEW

A2SF seeks a seasonal Bar Manager to supervise and coordinate all beverage and back-of-house operations at Top of the Park for the 2025 season. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and is eager to play a key role in festival operations.

The Bar Manager is responsible for supervising seasonal employees working at the bar, maintaining inventory, ensuring compliance with safety and service operations, including TIPS training. This role works closely with the Finance Team, Front of House & Personnel Manager, Site Manager, and Party Manager to ensure all points of sale operate efficiently, customer service remains a priority, and compliance standards are upheld.

Pre-season work includes mastering details in the Bar Manager Handbook, participating in employee interviewing with the FOH & Personnel Manager, pre-production meetings including with fellow managers and beverage vendors, load-in at Top of the Park, and employee training.

THIS JOB IS FOR YOU IF YOU…

• Thrive in leadership roles – You enjoy managing and mentoring seasonal staff, ensuring they are trained, motivated, and set up for success.

• Have experience in bar operations and customer service – You understand beverage service, point-of-sale systems, and how to create a positive guest experience.

• Are a proactive problem solver – You can anticipate operational challenges, address issues in real time, and adapt to changing situations, from staffing shortages to service delays.

• Have strong attention to detail – You monitor bar inventory, ensure proper cash handling, and oversee compliance with safety and alcohol service policies.

Communicate with clarity and confidence – You can effectively coordinate with bar staff, managers, and finance personnel while ensuring patrons receive excellent service. Work well under pressure – You can manage a high-volume bar operation, make quick decisions, and adjust staffing and inventory as needed in a fast-paced festival setting.

• Are passionate about the impact of the arts in community life – You understand the value of cultural programming and take pride in connecting communities through shared experiences.

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

This position reports to the Associate Director, and works closely with the Event Manager, Party Manager, Front of House & Personnel Manager. The Bar Manager supervises all bar hourly workers.

REQUIREMENTS

This position requires regular movement throughout event sites, including walking, standing, bending, and lifting. Must be able to safely lift and carry up to 25 pounds. Equipment and Systems includes Mac Environment, Google Suite, When I Work, Square.

ESTIMATED HOURS

• May – June (pre-season): 44 hours

• June 13 – 29 (season): 150 hours

• June 30 (load-out): 12 hours

COMPENSATION

Flat contract fee based on experience, paid in three installments

APPLY

Please send your resume as a single-page PDF to jobs@a2sf.org with the subject line ‘Bar Manager Candidate,’ along with a brief introduction about your interest and qualifications for this role. No formal cover letter required. Qualified applicants will be contacted within six business days to schedule a conversation. Position open until filled.

A2SF is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. If you believe you have relevant experience— even outside of live events—we encourage you to apply.

Job Types: Contract, Temporary

Work Location: In person