Director, Catalyst and Industry

Job Description

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director, Catalyst and Industry, leads Catalyst, the independent film financing program, strategic planning for the year-round Industry engagement, and any additional initiatives in the finance and distribution space. This position will also develop year-round strategy for the Institute’s role within the wider industry and avenues for filmmaker engagement, feeding into the Institute’s overall strategic planning process.

Catalyst aims to build a culture of partnership between independent investors and filmmakers, by offering two fellowship tracks - one for investors and one for filmmakers - which converge annually at the Catalyst Forum. In addition to developing and programming the two fellowship tracks, the Director will also oversee the onboarding of new funders into the independent film financing space, developing more ethical, forward-looking funding practices and rigorously preparing highly curated film teams to develop their project financing models and to form partnerships.

Working closely under Artist Program Core Leaders, the Director will also be responsible for collaborating on strategy, initiatives, goals across various departments including Advancement, Operations, Feature Film, Documentary Film and Industry Relations.

This is a full time position, with preference given to candidates who can work out of our Los Angeles, CA office and will be required to travel to other Institute offices and events as well as work extended hours, including evenings and weekends, at key points throughout the year.

Top priorities include but are not limited to…

Catalyst Program Strategy and Management
• Developing a comprehensive multi-year strategy for the Catalyst program, including an investor and filmmaker track and any accompanying programs and events.
• Overseeing all Catalyst events, representing our independent investor and Catalyst filmmaker communities, project selections, and production.
• Developing, overseeing, and programming year-round investor education, communication, and activities, that include Catalyst Investor Intensives in key markets, online programming, and any regional gatherings.
• Overseeing project selections with support and input from Feature Film and Documentary Film teams.
• Developing curriculum for filmmakers to learn about independent film financing models and develop meaningful relationships with Catalyst investors, to develop their business plans, materials and presentations to effectively attract Catalyst investors to join their films.
• Supporting filmmakers ongoing engagement with film teams and Catalyst investors through film launch and release.
• Directing and planning the execution and communication of Catalyst events at the Sundance Film Festival for both investors and filmmakers.
• Collaborating across programs to drive and implement strategy tied to film finance and distribution.
• Partnering with Advancement to develop and maintain a pipeline of prospect individuals, companies, and foundations to maintain an artist-centered cohort of funders while also achieving revenue goals for the program.
• Leading the communication plan for investor engagement through ongoing monthly emails.
• Identifying key metrics, data gathering, and conducting ongoing research to analyze and evaluate goals, measure success, drive results, and suggest strategies.
• Developing and programming additional paths for a wider filmmaker community outside of Catalyst to learn finance and distribution strategy and tactics.
• Managing staff, including selecting and training highly effective individuals, delegating appropriate and meaningful work while providing direction, feedback, and support to ensure employees understand responsibilities and are effective in their roles.

Industry Strategy
• Working with the Assistant Director, Industry Relations to develop and run a cross-department team with a focus on overall strategy, aligning communication and Festival and Artist support programs and working toward revenue goals.
• Developing Sundance’s unique role in the wider industry, with a focus on financing and distribution, industry programming and communication, and direct artist and project support.
• Overseeing any resulting initiatives tied to this strategic work, such as a market.
• Contributing to the Producers Program, with a focus on direct support of artists and projects and advocacy work for filmmakers in the finance and distribution space.
• Working closely with the Head of Partnerships and Co-Director of Advancement on identifying pipelines for Industry Alliance.

Relationship Building and Institute Representation
• Cultivating existing contacts and conducting outreach to develop new partnerships with a variety of organizations.
• Recruiting, vetting, cultivating, and stewarding Catalyst investors, both in joining the program and attending Forum, to retain and expand this community and to hit revenue goals.
• Representing Sundance Institute at external events, including panels, conferences, and other opportunities.
• Building and maintaining Sundance Institute as a thought leader in the artist development and film financing space.

You have the following direct or transferable skill sets:
• Legal authorization to work in the United States.
• 10 years experience that includes artist development, film financing, producing, and/or fundraising.
• Passion for Sundance Institute's mission.
• Extensive knowledge of film and film industry and experience mentoring filmmakers.
• Experience with high-net-worth individuals or film financiers.
• Collaborative spirit and diplomacy.
• Strong leadership skills with demonstrated excellence in managing employees.
• Proven ability to establish rapport and credibility with a wide range of constituencies and build strong relationships while working across the organization in order to drive results.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Affinity for data collection and data-driven strategies.
• Strong consultation, presentation, meeting design, and facilitation skills.
• Familiarity with Google product suite.

You will be successful in this role if you...
• Lead a successful year-round Catalyst program engaging investors and filmmaker teams in a robust community with new opportunities for financing independent films.
• Curate a bold and distinctive group of projects which propels investors to support through equity financing and grants.
• Continue to expand diversity in the investment community who commits to supporting Catalyst and curated projects.
• Lead the Industry team, consolidating the Institute’s work in providing filmmakers and investors with connections to the industry and identifying several interventions focusing on audience development and distribution.
• Provide a curriculum of investor and filmmaker education that utilizes existing resources and creates several new opportunities that supports them in navigating ethical financing and creative distribution.
• Design a 3 year strategic plan to continue this essential work and plan for the future.

In addition to an annual salary of $125,000.00 to 150,000.00*, this position comes with awesome benefits & perks, including:
• 25 paid holidays
• Health, vision, and dental insurance
• Paid sick, family, and medical leave
• 401(k) with automatic 3% employer contribution after one year of employment
• Sundance Film Festival passes and benefits (varies each year)

*Location and experience will be taken into consideration when making the final offer.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-r1bvpx-3-133-119-66-42 in your application.