Executive Director Of A Nonprofit

Executive Director/Managing Director, Southern Documentary Fund

To be considered for this opportunity, please email a cover letter and resume to [email protected].

MISSION

The Southern Documentary Fund (SDF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization that cultivates documentary media made in or about the American South. Inspired by our core belief that media has the power to impact lives and communities, we serve as a leading advocate for the powerful southern storytelling. SDF provides makers with diverse resources, including grants, fiscal sponsorship, mentorship, community engagement and networking opportunities--all with the intent to lower barriers to entry for Southern makers and cultivate Southern perspectives in documentary media.

HISTORY

The Southern Documentary Fund (SDF) was established in Durham, North Carolina in 2002 by two visionary documentary filmmakers with the goal of creating a supportive community for Southern storytellers. As the first arts nonprofit dedicated to supporting documentary makers in the American South, SDF has become a trusted partner for both veteran and emerging filmmakers in the region. With a focus on promoting inclusivity and diversity, SDF provides resources and support to help artists bring powerful Southern stories and issues to light. Over the years, SDF has sponsored over 150 independent documentaries and has played a crucial role in advancing documentary culture in the Southeast. The organization regularly convenes makers, mentors, impact partners, and distributors to exchange ideas and build partnerships, helping to foster a thriving documentary community in the region. SDF is passionate about providing its artists with opportunities for professional growth and connecting them to the resources necessary to hone their skills, complete their projects, and exhibit them widely.

SDF is proud of its commitment to promoting inclusivity and diversity, and the organization is dedicated to providing opportunities for professional growth and connecting its artists to the resources necessary to hone their skills, complete their projects, and exhibit them widely. The organization's staff is made up of experienced professionals who are passionate about documentary media and its potential to effect positive change in the world. SDF is governed by a board of directors who provide strategic guidance and support to the organization, helping it to achieve its mission.

SDF recognizes that Southern makers as a whole are often underrepresented in media and major documentary hubs. SDF is dedicated to addressing this imbalance and promoting equity and inclusion in the documentary industry. The organization has made a concerted effort to improve engagement with historically underserved groups and communities, and to advance opportunities for their inclusion in these spaces. Through its programs, initiatives, and partnerships, SDF is working to create a more inclusive and representative documentary community in the South, and to give Southern makers the recognition and support they deserve.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The next Executive Director will join a dynamic organization at a pivotal moment in its venerable history. SDF expanded its programming and grantmaking across the Southeast. The Executive Director, in collaboration with the Artistic Director, will have the opportunity to leverage the prior success to take SDF to the next level, in services and programs to an expanded documentary constituency across the Southeastern region in accordance with the strategic plan and direction of the Board, thereby raising SDF’s profile nationally to greater influence its sustainability in supporting documentarians and providing advocacy.

The Executive Director will advance and uphold the mission, values, and goals of SDF, with oversight and management of the organization’s operations, programming, finances and staff.

As leader of an evolving organization, the Executive Director will facilitate the development and implementation of a strategic plan in collaboration with the Artistic Director. Of top priority is strengthening and diversifying SDF’s financial resources, developing “best practices” in human resource policies and procedures, and working with a dedicated board of directors to fulfill the organization’s mission.

The SDF is headquartered in Durham, NC, but the Executive Director may work remotely. Some travel will be required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop a comprehensive knowledge of SDF’s history, culture, programs, and film and understand how they inform its operational
• Elevate SDF’s brand and profile across all media platforms, increase its visibility, and raise awareness of its work with cohesive and compelling marketing materials and editorial content. Enthusiastically represent the organization while advocating for its work and values.
• Create a viable and integrated financial strategy that ensures the organization’s finances are on budget and meeting revenue goals; lead the efforts to expand revenue opportunities and create the infrastructure to support such additional streams of funding; and cultivate and steward donor relationships.
• Guide the organization to achieve best nonprofit practices of equity and inclusion.
• Work closely with the Board of Directors to ensure strategic objectives are in line with its mission; establish and maintain relationships with each board member to harness their ideas, talents, and resources.
• Seek, engage, and leverage the ideas, talents, and spirit of both the SDF and larger documentary community to support ongoing and future partnerships and collaborations.
• Manage and supervise the staff by developing and implementing integrated operational plans and timelines for projects across departments (programming and marketing/communications). Foster a culture of collaboration and team building, with clear decision-making processes and communication.
• In collaboration with the Artistic Director, provide the strategic and operational leadership to envision SDF’s next chapter, while maintaining its high standards of documentary and overall relevance in the field.
• Ensure the organization continues to meet its core mission by assessing and strengthening its signature programs; encourage growth of diverse and inclusive programming initiatives and develop effective evaluation methods to help gauge their impact.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the documentarian

QUALIFICATIONS

• Senior-level leadership experience at a nonprofit organization with demonstrated success in managing people, finances and fundraising is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of fundraising/development and experience with foundations, corporate sponsors, individual donors; an ability to cultivate, influence, and steward donor relationships for long-term engagement.
• Exceptional ability to manage and supervise people, foster collaboration, and build partnerships and enduring relationships with staff, board and diverse constituents utilizing strong organizational and leadership capabilities, strong time-management skills and follow through skills. Responsiveness to timely requests.
• Prior experience leading a nonprofit with over $1M in revenue is desired.
• Demonstrated skills in grant writing, budget development, and management of grants and other funding sources

COMPENSATION

Salary aligned to competitive non-profit salary based in the Southeast and includes health benefits stipend and generous paid time off.

TO APPLY

Applications will be accepted up to August 11, 2023, or until the position is filled.

Please email us your resume and cover letter to SDF Search Committee at [email protected]