Volunteer Coordinator

Overview
BLINK is a four-day, large-scale light, art, and projection mapping festival that activates multiple urban districts and attracts regional and national audiences – relying heavily on volunteer support for successful execution.

Volunteers are needed in the following key areas across the four nights of the BLINK festival (October 8 – 11, 2026):

• Accessibility
• Art Docents
• Merchandise Retail
• Wayfinding

BLINK seeks an experienced Volunteer Coordinator responsible for the recruitment, training, scheduling, and oversight of all BLINK volunteers.

Role Summary
The Volunteer Coordinator will oversee all needs coordination, recruitment, and administration of and communication with the volunteer corps for the BLINK 2026 festival, working closely with the BLINK Executive Team, Creative and Production Partners as well as the broader community to fulfill all volunteer needs required by the festival. This role requires a highly organized, proactive professional with demonstrated experience in recruitment and coordination of personnel and the ability to interface productively and patiently with a variety of personality types through clear, effective communication.

Scope of Services

1. Project Management & Planning
   • Serve as the primary point of contact for all volunteers and volunteer-related requests.
   • Develop and manage a comprehensive project timeline, work plan, and task list from planning through post-event wrap-up.
   • Coordinate closely with BLINK leadership and production partners to determine operational and artistic volunteer needs.
2. Logistics
   • In collaboration with the BLINK Executive Team, create and staff a comprehensive shift schedule that accurately and adequately reflects the volunteer needs of the festival.
   • Participate in regular meetings with the BLINK executive team leading up to the event as well as debrief meetings post-event.
   • In collaboration with BLINK’s marketing team, plan a marketing strategy for recruitment and utilize personal network, social media, local communities (schools, clubs, associations, etc.), and other resources to satisfy the volunteer schedule.
   • In collaboration with BLINK executive team, develop ideas to incentivize and recognize volunteer participation.
3. Communication and Oversight
   • Communicate regularly with volunteers through preferred platform, providing them with information and updates to optimize their experience and build relationships/community, responding promptly to inquiries, and issuing confirmations/follow ups to scheduled volunteers leading up to the event.
   • Develop, schedule, and lead multiple in-person and virtual training sessions in the weeks prior to the festival to ensure that all volunteers are adequately prepared to answer questions and perform volunteer duties throughout the festival.
   • Organize and deploy volunteers throughout the festival to scheduled shifts.
4. Onsite Management and Post-Event Wrap-Up
   • Serve as onsite lead for volunteers for BLINK 2026 festival (October 8-11, 2026)
   • Troubleshoot issues in real time and manage last-minute changes.
   • Participate in post-event debriefs and provide a written recap including successes, challenges, and recommendations for future festival’s volunteer program.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in volunteer recruitment and management.
• Strong connection to organizations and businesses in the Greater Cincinnati area preferred, but not required.
• Exceptional organizational, project management, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and work calmly under pressure in fast-paced environments.
• Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and a collaborative working style.

Timeline
Planning of the Volunteer Program is expected to begin in May 2026 and continue through post-event wrap-up following October 11, 2026. A detailed timeline will be developed in coordination with BLINK leadership.

Proposal Submission
Proposals should include a resume of relevant work, 2-3 client references, desired contractual amount and payment schedule, and a list of deliverables.

Submit questions and proposals to BLINK project manager, Emalene Benson, at ebenson@cincinnatichamber.com by April 30, 2026.