Vice President, Documentary Films

Position Summary: The Vice President, Documentary Films will be responsible for managing the development and creative oversight of production for a slate of films all while fostering a culture of and commitment to equity, diversity and belonging. This role requires a deep understanding of the documentary landscape and the ability to maintain and cultivate relationships within the filmmaking and the documentary community.

Founded in 2004 by Jeff Skoll, Participant’s content combines the power of a good story well told with real world impact and awareness around today’s most vital issues. Through its worldwide network of traditional and digital distribution, aligned with partnerships with key non-profit and NGO organizations, Participant speaks directly to the rise of today’s “conscious consumer,” representing the well over 2 billion consumers compelled to make meaningful content a priority focus. Participant’s more than 100 films have collectively earned 86 Academy Award® nominations and 21 wins, including Best Picture for Spotlight and Green Book; Best Documentary Feature for American Factory, CITIZENFOUR, The Cove and An Inconvenient Truth; and Best Foreign Language Film for Roma and A Fantastic Woman.

Responsibilities

• Maintain slate including giving creative notes on projects at all stages from development through production
• Maintain network/platform intel to help inform Participant’s shopping of material
• Work closely with films in production to ensure projects are on track for executing creative vision agreed on by Participant
• Collaborate with internal departments (e.g., impact, sales, marketing) to ensure the successful production and release of films
• In coordination with the Content Strategy team, identify domestic and global partners to shop projects
• Vet and evaluate incoming pitches from a creative, strategic, and commercial perspective and make recommendations to senior management
• Manage the delegation of incoming material for the documentary team
• Initially manage two direct reports
• Identify films for acquisition with a focus on film festivals
• Accountable for generating and presenting original ideas
• Attend film festivals and other industry events with an emphasis on cultivating relationships with the documentary community
• Directly oversee high-priority projects from early-stage development through production
• Other duties / special projects as assigned

Qualifications

• Ability to think creatively and strategically, with a strong track record for developing successful documentary projects
• Strong leadership and management skills
• Strong time management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with filmmakers and production teams
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to manage an internal team
• Significant knowledge in documentary film
• Strong analytical skills and an ability to synthesize information
• 8+ years of experience in documentary development (i.e., production company, studio, or management company)

Reports to: EVP, Documentary

$167,000 - $184,000 a year

Participant is an equal opportunity employer. This means we are committed to recruiting, training, compensating, and promoting all of our employees regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender, or any other protected classes set forth under applicable law. As a media company, we are dedicated to reflecting the diversity, and multiculturalism, of our viewers, creators, partners and communities. Inclusion is at the heart of what we do and at the core of our values.

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