The Requirements
To be a good fit for the Executive Director opportunity, you will have:- Solid experience in some aspect of the entertainment industry, including:
- An understanding of film commissions and the role they play in the industry.
- A demonstrated ability to drive results -- ideal candidates will have a reputation as a mover and shaker.
- Established relationships with contacts in film and/or television studio/production companies. Quick question for you - click here
- Strong business acumen and experience with business development and/or sales.
- Experience running a business unit, including P&L responsibility.
- A proven ability to manage staff.
- An understanding of international markets and experience traveling abroad.
- Technology and media savvy.
- Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, including:
- An outgoing personality and a genuine passion for interacting with members and industry contacts.
- A track record of success in building relationships and partnerships based on trust and mutual interests.
- The ability to act as AFCI ambassador, working effectively with diverse constituents.
- A talent for transitioning easily between the big picture and the details.
- A commitment to AFCI's members and its mission.
- Senior film commissioner.
- Producer.
- Vendor serving the industry.
- Government relations/lobbyist.
- Grant writer/incentive coordinator.
- Industry executive or attorney.
- Infrastructure developer.
You also will need to be willing and able to travel, domestically and internationally. You'll travel to engage members, meet with industry contacts, attend film festivals, and for other reasons.
Photo courtesy of Utah Film Commission.
Role Overview
Note: this is a high-level overview of the role. To take a deeper dive into the details, see the Role Specifics tab.You will oversee the administration and operations of the AFCI and implement the strategic goals and objectives established by the Board of Directors. Key objectives will include working closely with the membership and ensuring that the global character of the Association is respected and encouraged.
You'll report to the Board of Directors, with the Chairperson serving as your immediate supervisor. In turn, you will supervise development of the staff member that you will take point on hiring. Also reporting to you will be an existing staff member, based remotely, who plays a pivotal role in AFCI operations. With extensive "tribal knowledge," this individual will be a valuable resource. We currently have one part-time contractor. Over time you will determine appropriate staffing and make changes as necessary.
Two areas you will focus on strengthening are member relations and industry relations. On the membership side you will work not only to increase numbers, but also to enhance the quality of benefits and engagement. An important goal will be to ensure members recognize the value of their affiliation with AFCI and realize the benefits your relationship with the Industry. This will include directly reaching out to commissioners around the world and establishing personal contact to inform the development of a refreshed suite of member services. Quick question for you - click here
On the industry side your goals will be similar: more and better relationships, along with open doors to pursue mutual opportunities. If you're the person we're looking for, you've already realized that improving relations on one side will help efforts to improve them on the other side. Key to your efforts with industry contacts will be your ability to offer value-adding services, such as support in identifying tax and other incentive sources.
Photo courtesy of Abu Dhabi Film Commission.
Role Specifics
Note: this is a detailed description of the role. To get the 30,000-foot view, see the Role Overview tab.As Executive Director, your responsibilities will fall into four main areas. In the area of communications, membership and outreach, you will:
- Establish and maintain positive relationships with the entertainment industry.
- Coordinate and promote AFCI, its programs and activities to include media, social media, branding, public relations and marketing.
- Oversee development and delivery of all membership services, communications and initiatives.
- Be the primary public representative of the AFCI with support from the Chairperson as needed.
- Oversee the development, delivery and quality of all AFCI products and services, including information management, online services and professional development.
- Supervise the creation and implementation of all AFCI events such as Cineposium, Locations & Global Finance Show (or equivalent), AFCI University, seminars, etc.
- Actively work with new and established members to ensure that they receive adequate information and that AFCI programs meet their needs.
- Develop and execute an annual and multi-year work plan to include AFCI initiatives, events, programs and other services and provide quarterly reports against progress.
- Work with Chairperson to plan and execute Board meetings.
- Manage and make recommendations on the AFCI strategic plan to ensure its timeliness and effectiveness.
- Provide research that analyzes AFCI members and stakeholder trends and make recommendations based on this.
- Manage the administrative aspects of the AFCI, its programs and initiatives.
- Ensure clear communication between the executive office and the membership.
- Manage and administer the budget and all financial resources according to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and established financial policies, with monthly reporting to the Treasurer and quarterly financial reports to the Board of Directors.
- Supervise AFCI staff and contractors and conduct yearly performance reviews in accordance with established personnel policies and procedures. This will include communicating any issues through the Chairperson to the Board with guidance from AFCI legal counsel as appropriate.
- Oversee AFCI marketing and promotional campaigns and materials currently Beyond Cinema Magazine, website and other AFCI media tools.
- Draft a yearly budget with input from staff, to be approved by the Board of Directors.
What's in It for You
Create a legacy in transformationWhile AFCI is an established organization with hundreds of members around the world, we believe a strong leader can infuse new entrepreneurial energy and take the organization to new levels. Some of the initiatives we have in mind include:
- Helping commissions see past competing with one another and recognize the opportunities in collaboration.
- Driving the further development and deliverables for our Affiliate Members.
- Creating partnerships with players in multiple areas of the industry to promote mutual objectives.
- Developing revenue streams utilizing our online data tools and educational products.
- Strengthening relationships with emerging commissions in various parts of the world.
- Developing a liaison form of membership for cities or regions that may not be ready to support a full commission office.
- Creating high-level representatives in Europe, Asia, South America and other areas to represent AFCI to local commissions in their own language and culture.
- Pursuing the good ideas that you bring to the table.
If you are successful in this role, within a few short years you will have built a "who's who" network of industry contacts around the world. That network will be invaluable to your future, whether you choose to make AFCI's mission your life's work or to leverage your success here to create new opportunities outside the organization.
Represent the global leader
AFCI is the international brand for film commissions, and AFCI affiliation offers members attractive resources and benefits (see below). An important part of your role will be to become the face of that brand to commissioners and industry leaders around the world. Currently, at least half of our members are outside the US.
Value-adding programs
AFCI promotes the valuable work of film commissions with a number of outstanding events, programs and resources. These include:
- AFCI University, which provides film commission staff members with the educational tools they need to thrive in today's competitive marketplace, potentially leading to Certified Film Commissioner designation.
- Cineposium -- coming up in October 2017 in Los Angeles -- which creates opportunities for film commissioners to access directed education, training and face-to-face contact with industry leaders.
- The AFCI Locations Show and Global Production & Finance Conference. We are currently assessing the format of this conference and your input will drive the outcome of this. There are significant opportunities available to the AFCI to take this conference to the next level.
AFCI's communications platforms deliver direct exposure to industry players and include:
- Beyond Cinema Magazine, a savvy marketing and networking vehicle with print and online editions. Beyond Cinema is distributed at a dozen international film festivals and markets, and directly distributed to 14,000+ active filmmakers.
- AFCI's website and online communications channels, which put marketer's messages front and center as part of the most trusted global resource for key industry decision makers and production groups.
- The Locations Show and Global Production & Finance Conference.
Pictured: AFCI's Beyond Cinema Magazine provides comprehensive content from exclusive interviews and features on the industry and the art of narratives and documentaries.
Keys to Success
It should be clear by now that this is a role for a high-energy, results-oriented leader. You also will need a contagious passion for AFCI's members, mission and potential as well as a personality that immediately engages people. You'll need the ability to build on both to develop strong relationships that will serve as frames for your growth and development initiatives.Our membership is diverse, not only in terms of culture and language, but also in terms of size, local agendas and challenges faced. You'll need to be able to recognize the different issues that drive and motivate members, while still promoting a consistent global brand and messaging for AFCI.
After 12 months, we'll measure your success in terms of strong revenue streams, expanding membership and promising new industry partnerships.
Photo courtesy of Don Gray.