Position Overview

The Rehoboth Beach Film Society (Society) Board of Directors is pleased to announce a leadership opportunity to partner with them in leading the organization. The successful candidate for the next Executive Director (ED) will guide the Society to celebrate the power of visual storytelling by showcasing independent films and creating transformative experiences for audiences, supporting and highlighting the work of the next generation of filmmakers, and enriching our community by raising awareness through the cinema art form and its ability to have a positive impact on our world. The role is dynamic and suited to an individual who thrives on building new programs to achieve our mission, engaging new audiences/partners and expanding the network of film festival operators, while ensuring current operations are successfully and effectively managed.

The ED will serve as the key leader of the Society, responsible for overseeing the strategic, operational, and financial management of the organization; seeking to grow the $600,000 annual budget to implement the Society’s 2027 Strategic Framework. They will work closely with the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and community stakeholders to support the mission of fostering a love of film, promoting cultural awareness, and enhancing the organization’s presence in the community.

Key Responsibilities

The Executive Director is responsible for the management of the Society with key responsibilities including:

Leadership and Strategy:

• Develop and implement the strategic framework and goals, in collaboration with the Board of Directors.

• Lead the organization in executing the mission to enrich the community through film programming, educational initiatives, and special events.

• Represent the organization in the community, acting as a spokesperson to build relationships with key stakeholders, donors, partners, the media, and other film societies and festival organizations.

Fundraising and Development:

• Serve as the Chief Development Officer, leading efforts with donors, corporations, foundations, and government agencies to secure ongoing and future support, and foster a “trusted partner” relationship.

• Oversee committee efforts at fundraising, including donor relations, grant writing, corporate sponsorships, and major gifts to ensure a seamless process for outreach and a fulfilling experience for volunteers.

Program Development and Management:

• Oversee the planning, development, and execution of film programming, educational events, film festivals, and special screenings. The Rehoboth Beach Independent Film festivals, and special screenings. The Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival is in its 26th year and is the “crown jewel” of our offerings. Growing the festival in content and influence is a priority.

• Collaborate with artistic and programming teams to maintain high quality film selections and cultural content.

• Ensure the programs align with the organization’s mission and meet the needs and interests of the community.

Operations and Financial Management:

• Manage day-to-day operations of the Society and the Cinema Art Theater, including film programming, financial management, human resources, and compliance with legal and regulatory

requirements.

• Prepare and manage annual budgets, monitor expenditures, and ensure financial accuracy and transparency.

• Negotiate with and manage outside contractors and consultants.

• Supervise staff, volunteers, and outside personnel, fostering a positive work environment and ensuring clear communication and teamwork.

Marketing and Community Engagement:

• Develop and implement marketing, public relations, and outreach strategies to grow and enhance the Society’s audience and visibility.

• Lead initiatives to grow membership and increase attendance at screenings and events.

• Cultivate partnerships with local, state, national and international film and cultural organizations to broaden programming and deepen community engagement.

Governance and Board Relations:

• Serve as the primary liaison between the staff and the Board of Directors, providing timely updates on financial and operational status and raising mission critical issues for dialogue and deliberation.

• Work in partnership with the Board to ensure effective governance practices and boost organizational effectiveness.

• Assist the Board in recruiting new members and supporting orientation planning.

Experience and Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Non-profit Management, Business, Communications, Education or related fields.

• 10 years of progressive experience managing programs, finances, and people.

• Experience with event and program conception and execution to meet the needs of the market area.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and motivate diverse stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and creatively in a fast-paced environment with the leadership, volunteers, and staff.

• Ability to forge and sustain win-win partnerships that bring real value to the respective organizations.

• Demonstrated success with fundraising and development.

• Demonstrated leadership progression in prior work or volunteer roles that exemplifies transformational leadership.

• Appreciation and passion for the arts, film, and other cultural genres.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business, Arts Administration or a related field.

• Prior experience with film societies, film organizations or other art/culture related organizations.

• Understanding/experience working with independent film producers and film industry.

• Deep non-profit experience and board governance and engagement.

• Experience with marketing, social media, and membership.

Executive Director – Position Profile © Vetted Solutions 2024

Measures of Success

• Establishing strong and positive relationships with staff and volunteers through listening, coaching, and motivation.

• Build industry knowledge through engagement with local businesses, partners and other industry organizations.

• Be able to articulate the Society’s vision to staff, volunteers, and key stakeholders with positivity.

• Develop and implement our 2027 Strategic Framework and build a specific program of work including key milestones of achievement in collaboration with the Board of Directors.

• Ensure that day-to-day operations are running smoothly while establishing an effective and timely working relationship with the outsourced accounting firm.

• Maintain current levels of grant funding and add at least one new grant source.

Who We Are

The Rehoboth Beach Film Society is a vibrant, growing organization sponsoring a renowned independent film festival, specialty film festivals, special events and operating the only cinema art house in Sussex County, DE. We’ve been around for 26 years, and our new strategic framework charts an exciting path of expanded programming and community engagement. We seek a dynamic and entrepreneurial Executive Director who loves film and is energized to lead us in our growth and influence. We are based in the eighth fastest growing county in the U.S., and our growing population craves art and culture in all forms. We are poised to grow our market and partner with other arts organizations to build and support a “creative economy” for our state.

The Rehoboth Beach Film Society is a 501©3 nonprofit arts organization operating in the State of Delaware. Founded in August of 1998, the Society is home to the award-winning Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival. In 2016, the Rehoboth Beach Film Society opened the Cinema Art Theater in Lewes, DE.

The Rehoboth Beach Film Society’s mission is to celebrate the power of visual storytelling, showcasing independent films and creating transformative experiences for people of all ages and diverse backgrounds here in the mid-Atlantic region. The Film Society cultivates and shines a light on the next generation of filmmakers which benefits the community and raises awareness on the positive impact of cinema as a performance art.

2027 Strategic Framework

• Operational Excellence – Ensuring we have a sustainable enterprise

• Pipeline for Filmmakers – Cultivating the next generation of filmmakers.

• Community Experience, Engagement, and Awareness – Contributing to the cultural expansion of our community.

Digital Presence

Web: https://www.rehobothfilm.com

X: https://x.com/RehobothFilm

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rehoboth-beach-film-society

Society Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rehobothfilm/

Society Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rehobothbeachfilmsociety/

Festival Facebook: https://www.RBIndependentFilmFestival/

Festival Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rbindependentfilmfestival/

Rehoboth Beach Film Society

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