Job Openings

November 2009

POSITION: Development-Executive Director

EMPLOYER: Friends of the Festival, Inc. dba Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival

CONTACT: Please send resume and salary requirements to John Thomas, Board President, john@tiglff.com

BENEFITS: PTO and vacation time, plus health insurance

About Friends of the Festival:

Friends of the Festival Inc. (FOF) is a 501c3 organization whose mission is: To showcase a selection of compelling film and video by, for or about the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender (GLBT) community that entertains, enlightens and celebrates the Festival audience.

FOF produces year-round film screening events in both Tampa and St. Petersburg, including a monthly Film Series, special Outreach Film screenings and the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (TIGLFF), which is one of the largest GLBT Film Festival in the world. TIGLFF occurs 11-days in October in both Tampa and St. Petersburg, with more than 40 feature film screenings, plus several high profile party and fundraising events. In 2009 TIGLFF celebrated its 20^th anniversary.

We are a vibrant and growing organization, looking for the right candidate to help take TIGLFF to the next level. The position of Development-Executive Director brings unlimited opportunity in working collaboratively with a wide array of people from local to international in many settings, including: the film industry, corporate community, local non-profits, creative and cultural groups, and more. In the process of growing the financial strength of the organization the successful candidate will be able to leverage the long term success and stature of TIGLFF to make many productive and rewarding professional contacts.

Job Description – Development-Executive Director:

The Development-Executive Director will be responsible for: developing and implementing the development strategy for Friends of the Festival; for achieving fundraising goals; and for overall management of the organization, including staff, contractors and volunteers. The Development-Executive Director will work closely with the board of directors and committee chairs to ensure the effective implementation of policy and direction set by the board of directors. Central to this role is sales responsibility for all sponsorship agreements.

The Development-Executive Director will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of event management, as well as managing the organization’s annual budget, providing regular reporting to the board. The Development-Executive Director will leverage key relationships and contacts within and outside the local gay, lesbian, transgender and bi-sexual community. The successful applicant will work well in multicultural teams and with diverse constituencies. S/he will be self-motivated, work well under pressure and be able to handle several projects at one time. S/he will have good judgment and, ideally, a sense of humor.

Responsibilities:

• Create and implement annual development plan and strategy
• Lead and manage the organization’s overall development efforts to raise the annual budget, which consists of both cash and in-kind
• Prepare and secure agreements with sponsors and partners
• Oversee committee work and ensure that the work of each committee is accomplished
• Effectively communicate committee status, recommendations and needs with the board president, as well as all other stakeholders
• Train and lead other staff to support fundraising and marketing efforts
• Cultivate and nurture relationships with current and potential corporate & foundation sponsors, and individual donors
• Manage sponsorship program, which includes identifying and securing Film Series, Outreach and Film Festival sponsors (both cash and in-kind trade)
• Write grant proposals and reports to corporate, foundation, and government funders
• Develop and grow our individual donor base; manage annual giving campaign; cultivate major gifts
• Develop and implement comprehensive marketing and public relations strategy

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directly supervises one full time employee, plus several part-time contracted positions, as well as volunteers. The Development-Executive Director carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees/contractors/volunteers; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent prior experience.

Qualifications:

• At least three years of direct sales or business development experience in a service industry or with a nonprofit; emphasis on corporate sponsorships or corporate sales is a plus
• Proven track record of achieving revenue targets and/or a quota
• Proven management and leadership capabilities that demonstrate the ability to manage staff, contractors and volunteers
• Experience working with senior level executives in a corporate or non-profit setting
• High energy, positive, “can-do” attitude, flexibility, teamwork, and attention to detail
• Strong verbal communications skills and demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively
• Ability to manage staff, contractors and volunteers
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically
• Strong partnership-building and event planning skills
• Thorough understanding of all components of a diversified funding base
• Ability to develop and manage budgets and demonstrate an above average working knowledge of finance accounting methods and tools, such as Microsoft Excel and QuickBooks or equivalent software tools.
• The ability to pass a background screening test
• Clean driving record and ability to travel as required, primarily local meetings in the Tampa Bay metro area
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends, including the 11-day film festival in October.