Director of Film Programming

Reports to: Executive Director                                                                    

About Us:

The Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) is a nonprofit cultural and educational institution located in Pleasantville, NY, dedicated to gathering audiences, students, and filmmakers to experience the joy of film, and to learn about the craft, ourselves, and each other. We are seeking a Director of Film Programs to oversee our Film Programming initiatives and staff, and join our team of senior executives. Learn more about the organization at burnsfilmcenter.org

About You:

You are an experienced leader in film programming with deep and extensive knowledge of the independent and international film industries, an enthusiastic collaborator with an understanding of the power of film to educate, entertain, and inspire people of all ages, and a thought leader and community/relationship builder who intentionally and actively demonstrates the value of our mission. You are motivated to raise the profile of the JBFC through mission-authentic innovations and key collaborations, and you appreciate and respect the passion and expertise that all players bring to the table and deploy them to shape the most impactful outcomes.

Position Objective:

• Advance the mission, programs, and reputation of the JBFC across our local, national, international, and industry communities.
• Lead curation with an emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, ensuring these priorities are woven into the fabric of our film programming.
• Create and sustain the broad curatorial structure of cinematic programs to nurture a variety of interconnected communities through film.
• Optimize programmatic schedule and revenue opportunities within a versatile five-screen cinema that is also capable of hosting live performances, speakers, and panel discussions.

Primary Responsibilities:

Primary responsibilities include curatorial vision and strategy, program development and execution, external relationships and community, financial operations, staff leadership and development, fundraising, audience development, and Marketing support.

Strategy, Program Development, and Execution:

• Oversee the selection and presentation of film programs, including a wide range of independently created film series, that encourage public dialogue and discussion with guests around themes of the arts, politics, culture, social justice, science, and the environment.
• Strategically plan and address both short- and long-term programming needs, overseeing the execution of the current film calendar while preparing for future programmatic seasons and years.
• Oversee the strategic deployment and revenue optimization of five screens in our Theater to serve an appropriate mixture of new releases, curated thematic series, post-screening Q&As with special guests, live performances, and family/community-focused programming, driving earned and contributed revenue for the organization.
• Collaborate with Marketing, programmers, and film buyers to strategize, select, and plan the schedule in support of the JBFC strategic initiative to program more popular new releases.
• Collaborate in the strategic alignment of Film Programming with Artist Support and Educational programs, and in a broader strategy to engage key film industry partners in support of our multi-faceted mission.
• Create new thematic series and support continued series to reflect a mixture of cinematic ideas, cultural impulses, and diverse communities.

External Relations and Community:

• Serve as a public face of the organization, attending programs, events, and receptions, and interact at all levels externally—with the public, the media, and the Board of Directors.
• Foster and nurture relationships with key players across the film industry including distributors, filmmakers, and outside curators.
• Nurture and sustain key relationships with community stakeholders and partner organizations to create relevant and powerful film programs to advance the JBFC’s position as a cultural landmark deeply rooted in the lower Hudson Valley.
• Prepare and present introductions to special film programs, professionally moderate Q&As, and attend receptions and donor cultivation events.
• Attend domestic and international film festivals, deepening and expanding existing relationships and building new partnerships with key industry players, peer organizations, curators, filmmakers, film festivals, etc.

Financial Operations:

• Serve on the Senior Leadership Team of department heads, collaborating with internal stakeholders to set mission-based goals and strategies for the organization, and develop theater-driven earned revenue and related expense budgets and forecasts.
• Partner with the Finance team to refine revenue and expense forecasts between budget planning cycles. Regularly monitor performance of department and program budgets.
• Oversee box office reporting and approval of distributor payments according to negotiated terms.
• Partner with Finance and Marketing to ensure achievement of annual ticket revenue budgets.

Staff Leadership and Development:

• Oversee in-house film programming staff, freelance curators, and administrators at all levels in the acquisition of films and related terms negotiation, selection of guest speakers and moderators, planning and maintenance of the master film program calendar, creation and distribution of the weekly film schedule, and logistical coordination with Theater Operations team.
• Nurture curatorial skills amongst in-house film programming staff, fostering their professional growth and serving as an experienced industry mentor.
• Communicate strategy, direction, and feedback from senior management to Programming Team to ensure alignment.

Fundraising:

• Support the Development staff in their efforts to underwrite film programs. Join the Director of Development in select meetings with sponsors and potential funders.
• Foster supportive relationships with donors and board members, representing the programmatic funding needs of the organization.
• Identify potential funding and sponsorship prospects and make appropriate connections.
• Strategize with Development staff to identify themes and special guests/talent for JBFC fundraising events.

Audience Development/Marketing:

• Partner with Marketing Team in developing new audiences and amplifying themes and messages related to curated film selections.
• Partner with Marketing Team in the development of relevant and impactful marketing content to reach new audiences for the JBFC’s film programs.

Marketing Support:

• Participate in interviews and articles for media in support of the JBFC. Contribute writing, recordings, and video appearances where appropriate and necessary.
• Collaborate with the Marketing team to develop and produce printed and digital marketing pieces.
• Partner with Marketing on strategic that promote the overall mission and brand of the JBFC.

Preferred Experience and Qualities:

• 5-10 years of experience leading film programming in a theater setting and/or comparable experience in a film festival, film acquisitions, or other film exhibition setting.
• Demonstrated experience managing a team of programmers and administrators.
• Deep familiarity with the landscape of film festivals, film-focused nonprofits and peer organizations, and granting/filmmaker support organizations.
• Commitment to radical hospitality and providing an outstanding visitor experience, advancing institutional and audience diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging.
• Business and financial acumen.

Salary range: $125K-$135K or commensurate with experience.

The JBFC offers an excellent benefit package, including:

• Generous PTO and sick leave.
• Employer-paid and supplemented Paid Family Leave (PFL) for eligible employees.
• Generous medical, dental, and vision insurance for staff members, including a company-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) to cover deductibles, as well as the option to fund a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance, and Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurances.
• 403(b) plan (employer-matching).
• Option to participate in the TransitChek commuter benefits program, which allows you to fund a Metro North or NYC Subway card with pretax deductions.
• Office located across the street from Metro North station (Harlem Line).

Application Instructions:

Please submit your resume and cover letter before October 1, 2024 to jobs@burnsfilmcenter.org with “Director of Film Programming 24” in the subject line of your email. No phone calls, please.

Unsure if you should apply?  Research indicates that some candidates are less likely to apply if they do not meet 100 percent of the listed qualifications.  If this is you, and you believe you would excel in this position, we strongly encourage you to submit your application.  We are actively recruiting candidates with diverse work experiences, backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, and abilities. We believe all work experience has value, and are fully considering all applicants with a strong desire to help us fulfill our mission, including candidates who are making career-focus shifts or returning from employment gaps.  Please use your cover letter as an opportunity to express your interest in JBFC’s mission and programs, and how you envision yourself contributing as a member of our team.

Our organization participates in the E-Verify Program.

The Jacob Burns Film Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in hiring and employment on the basis of race, ethnicity, creed, sex, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic predisposition and/or carrier status, disability, age, religion, marital status, national origin or citizenship status, veteran status, or any other classification as protected by law.  We hire and promote individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job.  We encourage all qualified candidates to apply for positions to be filled.  Please inform the JBFC if you need any assistance with the instructions provided to participate in our application process.  Questions and concerns may be directed to jobs@burnsfilmcenter.org

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties and responsibilities that are required of this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned.