Job: The Flaherty Executive Director

The Flaherty (International Film Seminars, Inc., New York, NY) is a small non-profit organization dedicated to fostering community around the moving image. The organization’s central event is the annual Flaherty Seminar, which brings together artists, curators, academics, media professionals and lovers of film for a week of screenings and field-building collective inquiry into the form and function of independent non-fiction cinema. The Flaherty is seeking an Executive Director.

The ideal candidate is a warm, engaging relationship-builder who enjoys connecting with artists, donors, foundations, and community members. They will serve as a passionate ambassador for The Flaherty, cultivating meaningful relationships and confidently articulating the organization’s mission, impact, and vision. The Executive Director should be comfortable wearing multiple hats, including soliciting financial support, stewarding donors at all levels, and leading fundraising efforts with authenticity, enthusiasm, and persistence.

FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising and Financial Management

  • Increase, diversify, and secure resources for The Flaherty; support and oversee the organization’s financial health and growth, which includes financial planning.

  • Devise new financial advancement strategies and execute them with support from the Board.

  • Establish and cultivate relationships with current and potential Flaherty donors and supporters.

  • Direct financial decision-making and oversee fiscal management of the organization, including overseeing payroll, artist and fellowship partner contracts, the annual budget, and audit.

Board Development & Engagement

  • Cultivate a strong working partnership with the Board and leverage trustees’ skills and relationships to increase the capacity of the organization to meet organizational, financial, and programmatic goals.

  • Build relationships with and aid in the recruitment of new board members

Relationship-building & External Communications

  • Represent the organization, in conjunction with the Board President, at all media and public events.

  • Create and develop opportunities to raise the profile of the organization.

  • Bring a compelling and credible voice to the public conversation about film and community engagement.

  • Actively promote the organization to the public.

  • Oversee the maintenance and improvement of IFS website and other online assets.

Strategic Vision and Leadership

  • Provide strategic vision and leadership for The Flaherty to formulate and implement its organizational goals.

  • Work closely with the Board of Trustees to lead and oversee short- and long-term organizational vision and goals in alignment with The Flaherty’s mission.

  • Ensure that equity-driven values and initiatives inform the organization’s work.

Program Development & Oversight

  • Maintaining and updating permanent records/archives of The Flaherty’s history, including organizing and overseeing a full Assessment of Flaherty Archives and a move of pertinent assets to Fine Art Storage.

  • Overseeing maintenance of Flaherty assets in Vermont

  • Managing one full-time year-round staff member and one part-time staff member, as well as seasonal staff who are responsible for day-to-day management and operations of core program activities.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Minimum 5 years of experience in nonprofit management and leadership, or equivalent

  • Proven track record in fundraising and grant writing

  • Experience in film/media program development (or related fields)

  • Staff and program management experience

  • Excellent time-management skills

  • Superior writing and communication skills

  • Experience with virtual platforms, design, and social media is a must

  • Experience and/or strong interest in archival preservation is a plus

SALARY RANGE

  • $80,000–$100,000 annually, paid biweekly

BENEFITS

  • Paid time off (including nine annual holidays, office closure between Christmas and New Years, and a post-seminar staff break)

  • Medical insurance

  • Commuter benefits

Learn More

Image Credit: The Flaherty