Managing Director

Overview

The Managing Director holds a key leadership role that oversees operations within the organization and ensures the implementation of the organization’s strategic priorities. The Managing Director is a member of SFFILM’s senior leadership team and will work closely with the Executive Director, along with departmental Directors and Board of Directors, to help lead the achievement of organizational goals. With a focus on organizational effectiveness, health, and sustainability, the Director is responsible for heading the operations, finance, and administrative functions as well as ensuring streamlined workflows across all cross-functional teams. The position also serves as an advocate for staff resources and brings expertise in fostering a positive and inclusive work culture. Direct reports include the Director of Operations, Senior Manager of HR & Administration and Executive & Special Projects Manager.

The Managing Director supports SFFILM’s commitment to attracting, retaining, and engaging staff to support our organizational mission and values. This position works extended hours including evenings and weekends at points throughout the year.

Responsibilities

Leadership + General Management

• Serve as the internal leader of the organization, implementing policies and procedures to ensure effective management practices, high performance, and a positive organizational culture.
• In partnership with the Executive Director, shape and implement 3-Year Strategic Plans and mid-cycle strategic planning processes.
• Lead efforts to create a collaborative work environment across all functional areas that effectively integrates all department timelines and processes.
• Bring efficient and effective systems to increase the productivity of the organization, as well as ensure the creative spark and spirit that is at the heart of SFFILM.
• Serve as point person and lead for all SFFILM organizational effectiveness consultants and legal advisors.
• Oversee a strategy and process for organizational evaluation — goal setting, data collection and analysis — to measure success across both internal and external benchmarks.
• Advise on implementation of internal and external programs to ensure consistency across the organization — examples include Code of Conduct enforcement, setting stipend and honorarium levels, and health and safety standards.
• Serve as Executive lead on DEIA initiatives and data gathering projects that relate to tracking progress against DEIA goals.

Finance + Operations

• Lead organizational financial management, tracking and reporting including but not limited to leading the annual budgeting process, leading Board Finance and Audit Committee meetings, and working closely with the Board Treasurer.
• Oversee SFFILM’s contracted accounting firm ensuring smooth functionality of monthly reconciliations, annual audit processes, and internal financial tools and workflows.
• Lead long-term planning for HR, performance management practices, and staff engagement improvements.
• Oversee all organizational contract review and signing; advise on departmental contract language and negotiations as needed to ensure org-wide consistency.
• Work closely with IT vendors to lead and implement a strategy for technology optimization utilizing new and existing systems including but not limited to Google, FileMaker, Basecamp, and DonorPerfect.
• Lead strategies that increase internal accountability to data hygiene and systems integration, introducing best practices that streamline information sharing across various CRMs and tech systems.
• Supervise the optimization of customer experience through integration of SFFILM’s website, chatbot, and CRM, and oversee change management of these tools.
• Oversee the goal setting and decision-making process of the organization’s exhibition and event production; manage and harmonize the efforts of the Operations team with the vision of the organization’s programming leadership.
• Support Project Management of cross-departmental projects and initiatives as it relates to identifying accountability structures, timelines and deliverables.
• Serve as point person for all departments on high-level operational needs, such as budget questions and approvals, increasing staffing, or salary questions and issues.
• Serve as point of contact to office landlord and facilities manager, overseeing adherence to terms of the lease.

Advancement

• Support the building of annual revenue projections and revenue generating engagement strategies.
• Lead the creation and refinement of earned revenue models.
• Support the organization’s development, business partnerships, and special event strategy, especially as it relates to the collaboration of the Marketing, Partnerships, and Operations functions of the organization.
• Represent SFFILM at events, programs and other cultivation opportunities.

Qualifications

• At least 7 years of senior management experience in a US-based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, specifically in a film, media, arts, or culture organization
• Proven effectiveness managing and coaching others, empowering them to make decisions, and setting and achieving strategic objectives
• Demonstrated experience in nonprofit financial management, including experience with financial reporting, audits, legal compliance, and budget development and management
• Organization development and human resources management experience, and experience with data driven management, performance, and evaluation culture
• Technologically savvy, with experience overseeing information technology staff and vendors
• Fluency in the cultural and organizational landscape of the Bay Area and its relationship to the national arts scene
• Proven success in developing revenue strategies and contributing to the cultivation, engagement, and stewardship of constituents and strategic partners, including past success working with a Board of Directors
• Experience effectively communicating key data, including presentations to senior management, Board of Directors, and other key stakeholders
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; an open and clear communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people in a fast-paced, creative environment
• Passion, idealism, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven; a solutions-oriented and self-directed problem solver

Covid-19 Safety: SFFILM Staff may be required to engage in public-facing roles and thus are required to provide proof of vaccination for employment. 

Remote Work Accommodation: Staff are expected to be based in the Bay Area, however if your contract begins before March 1, 2022, SFFILM may be able to accommodate fully remote work prior to that date. Remote work policies are subject to change based on city and state recommendations around COVID-19 safety.

SFFILM is proud to be part of a wider film festival circuit and shares many seasonal staff with other festivals. We have been paying close attention to conversations and feedback from film festival staff directly and via social media. We have created policies and practices that address these concerns including increasing hourly rates and providing overtime, abiding by a Code of Conduct since 2018, and creating more flexible remote work policies to prioritize staff health and safety during COVID-19.

SFFILM is deeply committed to Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) in both its internal management and external programming. Since 2018, the organization has actively been working in collaboration with two Advisory Boards focused on accessibility and inclusivity and officially began work with a DEI consultant in 2019 to further invest in and build on that work. Candidates are invited to discuss their interest and involvement in DEAI practices in their cover letter, and ask us more about our DEAI process in their interview.

SFFILM, in accordance with federal and state law, is an equal-opportunity employer. SFFILM does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy/childbirth, medical condition, disability, age, ancestry, marital status, citizenship or veteran status. This nondiscrimination policy covers all candidates, staff members, interns, and volunteers.