Northwest Film Forum Executive Director Position Opening

April 2008

Northwest Film Forum in Seattle seeks an Executive Director to pilot the thriving, growing non-profit film arts organization. The Executive Director takes the lead in shaping the vision of the organization, oversees all of Northwest Film Forum's operations, spearheads development and fundraising efforts for the organization, and is the chief advocate of the organization's mission to its members, its stakeholders, to the community at large, and to the cinema community world-wide.

Overview of Northwest Film Forum:
Northwest Film Forum is a Seattle-based non-profit organization operating innovative and award-winning film exhibition, production, and education programs year-round. Noted Seattle arts critic Regina Hackett has called Northwest Film Forum "the dominant one-stop shop for the city's cultural life."

Annually, Northwest Film Forum supports over 600 filmmakers, aids in the production of nearly 80 original works, exhibits more than 200 separate film programs, and offers more than 60 workshops. The organization's facilities include two cinemas that are open 360 nights a year (120-seat and 50-seat, equipped for 35mm, 16mm, Super-8, and digital projection and live theatre), workshop space, editing rooms, and filmmaker offices. Northwest Film Forum's operating budget has grown over 35% in the last three years and is currently over $600,000. The organization now operates with a staff of nine under the Executive Director. These include Managing Director, Studio Director, Program Director, Technical Director, Associate Program Director, Communications Director, Children's Cinema Curator, Assistant Technical Director, and Business Manager. More than 80 volunteers support almost every aspect of the organization. The organization currently has nearly 1000 members.


Exhibition:

• full-time, year-round programming, featuring numerous guest artist presentations
• innovative programs in collaboration with other disciplines (music, dance, theatre, visual arts, etc.)
• Local Sightings Film Festival and Children's Film Festival Seattle
• film director retrospectives, including outside touring programs
• film programs that are toured nationally
• the cinemas also function as satellite venues for numerous film festivals, including the Seattle International Film Festival

Production:

• innovative "Start to Finish" program, in which the organization directly supports the production, completion, and distribution of a feature film by a selected artist
• commissions 35mm shorts through "Signature Shorts" program
• Super-8, 16mm, and digital production gear and post-production facilities
• sponsorship, assistance, and support for filmmakers in all phases of production
• fiscal (umbrella) sponsorship of independent film projects

Education:

• year-round workshops in all aspects of cinema, from the technical to the aesthetic
• youth filmmaking programs, both year-round and summer intensive
• master classes with visiting guest artists

The Role of Executive Director:
The Executive Director is responsible for guiding the vision and growth of all Northwest Film Forum projects and programs, managing the professional staff, and leading development and fundraising activities in collaboration with the board and staff.

The Executive Director...

• plays a critical role in shaping and maintaining the culture and identity of the organization;
• represents the face of the organization, acting as spokesperson both internally and to the community at large;
• drives the development of special programs and new initiatives;
• leads the effort in building and maintaining strong relationships between Northwest Film Forum and the rest of the film arts community, the commercial film industry, diverse community groups, and with artists and arts groups from other disciplines;
• oversees the day-to-day operations of the staff and the facility, manages department heads and conducts their annual reviews, and runs staff meetings;
• reports to the Board of Directors, serves as an ex-officio member of the board, and is expected to attend board meetings and act as the primary liaison between the staff and the board; and
• plays a leadership role in board development.

Qualifications and Experience:
The ideal candidate for this position...

• is deeply passionate about film as art;
• is knowledgeable about and experienced in film production, exhibition, and education;
• is able to shape, articulate, and implement the vision and goals for the organization;
• has experience in non-profit and film arts management;
• has proven capacity in non-profit fundraising and strategic planning and will be able to open up new avenues of financial and community support for the organization;
• is an excellent manager of human resources, nurturing the collaborative spirit and providing guidance and support for the staff without dictating or micro-managing;
• is able to communicate frequently and effectively with the organization's board, staff, membership, and donors;
• has well-established connections in the film arts community nationally;
• is able to balance a bold, aggressive artistic vision with fiscal responsibility; and
• is eager and able to represent Northwest Film Forum in the best possible light to the arts community, the city, and the world.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary: $40,000--$45,000, depending on experience
• Vacation and sick leave
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Free popcorn

To Apply:
Submit a resume and a letter of interest which briefly addresses the following questions: (Maximum length of two pages please)
What are the most interesting changes and challenges for independent film exhibition today?
What are the key issues facing independent filmmakers today?

Please send your materials by post or email to the address below.

Deadline: May 27, 2008
Mail materials to: Executive Search Committee
c/o Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98122
Email materials to: executivesearch@nwfilmforum.org

Northwest Film Forum is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

For further information on Northwest Film Forum, our community, the position, and application materials, please see www.nwfilmforum.org. No phone inquiries, please.