President of Film Independent

This is a Full Time Job

Film Independent seeks a President who has the strategic vision and history of accomplishment to lead the organization towards continued improvement, sustainable growth and programmatic excellence, while remaining true to its mission to support artists, amplify underrepresented voices and empower those who shape cultural narratives.

The President is an ardent champion of Film Independent's mission and a tireless advocate for the values and the spirit of the filmmaking community the organization serves. With a belief in the power of storytelling to enrich our collective understanding of the world and of one another, the President will elevate the visibility of its brand, building and strengthening Film Independent's reputation, relationships and engagements. The ideal candidate will be a gifted fundraiser, have strong financial acumen, knowledge of media business models and a discerning eye to ensure Film Independent's continued sustainability and relevance.

By building on past success while navigating a changing media landscape-from shifting distribution models to emerging technologies to the globalization of media and ongoing equity challenges-the next President will ensure Film Independent remains an essential force within the global community of storytellers.

This is a compelling opportunity for an artistically attuned, strategically minded and media savvy leader to helm a preeminent organization at a pivotal moment in its 40-year history. Film Independent benefits from the stability of having had only three leaders in four decades, the support of a committed and resourceful 29-member Board of Directors and the talent of a seasoned, passionate staff of 43 (including 11 senior leadership team members). The President must lead with a personable and inclusive management style, improving team performance through inspiration, collaboration and accountability in service to the community of storytellers, supporters, industry advocates and film lovers. Key responsibilities include:

Lead Strategy and Vision
-Develop a comprehensive strategic plan that serves as a roadmap for the organization, creating shared alignment around a vision to serve the needs of storytellers.
-Define Film Independent's mission within the industry and maintain relevance amidst rapid change, while preserving its legacy as an organization committed to access, diversity, excellence and innovation.
-Maximize strategic opportunities around all owned IP (e.g. its Live Reads series) in the current landscape.
-Translate mission and aspiration into specific strategies and measurable outcomes.
-Strengthen decision-making practices that sustain organizational change while continuing to deepen efforts on equity, transparency and accountability.
-Embed strategy as a continuous process, engendering commitment and alignment to clear goals.

Elevate the Film Independent Spirit Awards
-Oversee the successful production of the Spirit Awards, maintaining its standard of excellence as the leading awards event celebrating independent storytelling.
-Reassess its revenue potential via a streaming or broadcast partnership or identify other forms of revenue while pursing excellence in the event, using it to foster engagement from all constituents, and controlling costs.
-Evolve the overall event experience through innovative production methods that enhance participation and attract a broader global audience.

Grow and Diversify Revenue
-Secure the funds needed to ensure the organization meets and exceeds the annual operating budget of over $10M, allowing it to evolve and thrive in alignment with its strategic plan.
-Oversee implementation of a robust and diversified development plan that includes goals for philanthropic funding from individuals and foundations, corporate sponsorships and government funding.
-Cultivate effective relationships with the U.S. Department of State and other relevant federal agencies, with the goal of sustaining and expanding funding for the Global Media Makers program.
-Increase membership base and deepen donor engagement at all levels.
-Lead efforts to explore new revenue opportunities, such as partnerships with consumer-facing brands or content creators, while controlling costs and maintaining mission alignment.
-Refine key messaging strategies to create a more compelling case for support that directly motivates and inspires donor engagement.

Oversee Financial and Operational Performance
-Optimize operational functions aligned with Film Independent's organizational values and strategic direction.
-Drive financial planning to balance annual budgets.
-Translate organizational priorities into multi-year budget scenarios to ensure the organization has the financial capacity to meet its strategic goals.
-Create a system to measure and evaluate objectives, key results, resources and priorities that fosters a culture of responsible stewardship and shared accountability for financial goals.
-Strengthen efforts for ethical innovation and operational experimentation with tools to boost productivity.

Enhance Programmatic and Educational Initiatives
-Uphold Film Independent's commitment to cinematic excellence, ensuring that programmatic content aligns with its mission and values.
-Assess the impact, efficacy and sustainability of programmatic and educational initiatives; establish priorities and processes to scale and modify programs within budget, timeframes and capacity.
-Develop strategies to expand national and international programming, identifying regions where Film Independent's services have the greatest feasibility and potential to flourish.
-Expand efforts to provide new technology resources (e.g. rapidly developing AI tools) for filmmakers, balancing ethical practices and industry concerns with considerations regarding access and equity.

For the full position profile with more information, please visit ''Job Opportunities'' on Film Independent's website.