Work with DIFF

Job Title: Executive Director
Reports to: Board of Directors
FLSA status: Exempt, full-time

Durango Film Institute (DBA: Durango Independent Film Festival) is seeking a new Executive Director to lead the organization in delivering its mission.

The Durango Independent Film Festival (DIFF) boasts a reputation as a “Filmmaker’s Festival.” We champion the art of independent filmmaking as we showcase films in the best possible way: with the active engagement of our film-fanatic community combined with the warm hospitality of our cherished southwest Colorado town. DIFF welcomes all genres of independent film – adventure, music, animation, nature, comedy, shorts, documentaries, Native cinema, feature films, and K–12.

MISSION:
DIFF brings independent films and filmmakers to the 4 Corners via both an annual international festival and a film commission office that facilitates storytelling production throughout our region. DIFF shares films and filmmaking opportunities to build both our community and local economy.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
The Executive Director is responsible for leading DIFF and delivering the organization's mission in partnership with the Board of Directors, staff, contractors, and key volunteers. This will be accomplished through the following responsibilities and duties:

Leadership, Strategy, & Artistic Vision:

• Increase the visibility, prominence, financial resources, relevance, growth, and community impact of DIFF.

• Supervise, train, and collaborate with diverse professionals who make up the paid staff and key volunteers, providing guidance, resources, and professional development to enhance and support the organization’s culture.

• Together with the Board, key volunteers and paid staff, support the development and implementation of the organization’s next strategic plan.

• Act as the primary ambassador and spokesperson of DIFF within the community at large.

• Oversee management of the 4 Corners Film Office.

• Serve on DIFF’s Board of Directors as an ex-officio, non-voting member, supporting the governing body in partnership with the Board’s Executive Committee.

• Together with the Board, key volunteers and paid staff, establish a shared artistic vision for the Film Festival and all creative programming and events.

Fundraising, Outreach & Engagement:

• As the primary fundraiser for the organization, actively cultivate and steward revenues that meet or exceed DIFF’s annual revenue of $250,000+ per year.

• Serve as the primary relationship manager with all grant funders, reviewing and/or collaboratively writing grant applications and reports with the organization’s grant writer.• Cultivate and expand DIFF’s influence in the local community and state-wide, with funders, supporters, partners, volunteers, and most importantly the filmmakers, and youth we serve.

• Together with the Fundraising Committee, key volunteers, and paid staff, develop and execute a comprehensive contributed and earned revenue plan that increases revenue diversity and stability and grows grant and major donor revenue.

• Work with paid staff, key volunteers, and the Board to develop and execute a robust marketing and communications plan that is tied to the organization’s strategic, fundraising, and programming plans.

• Work with Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media, to support DIFF’s programming, fundraising efforts, and the work of the 4 Corners Film Office.

• Ensure DIFF publicly demonstrates its commitment to transparency and accountability through the distribution of an annual impact report and other stewardship tools.

Operational & Fiscal Management:

• Oversee all financial processes in collaboration with DIFF’s bookkeeper and the Board’s Executive Committee, including budget development, monthly financial reports, accounts receivable, accounts payable, annual financial review (when appropriate), all bank accounts, 990 and state tax filings, and other financial duties as needed.

• Keep the Board’s executive committee apprised monthly of the organization’s financial position, completing regular year-end projections and/or cash flow projections when appropriate or requested by the Board.

• In collaboration with DIFF’s bookkeeper and Board, oversee all Human Resources functions, including payroll, taxes, performance management, records retention, etc., ensuring all local, state, and federal laws and compliance are strictly followed, as well as DIFF’s policies and ethics standards.

• Working with the Board’s executive committee, manage all facilities contracts and negotiations to make certain DIFF has a sustainable and affordable home, as well as short-term facilities to support Festival operations.

• In partnership with DIFF’s bookkeeper and the Board’s executive committee, update all financial, fundraising, and records retention practices to ensure the organization is prepared for an eventual financial review with an audit firm.

• Working with the Board’s Executive Committee, ensure all legal contracts and agreements protecting the organization are in accordance with local, state, and federal law, as well as DIFF policies. Maintain appropriate levels of insurance to manage risk and protect the organization.

• Working in partnership with the Board, ensure all policy and procedure practices are up to date and following current, nonprofit best practices, as well as local, state, and federal laws.

Programming, Events & Partnerships:

• Oversee the development and execution of a robust programming plan that provides the necessary resources to increase positive impact to the communities DIFF serves.

• Work with key volunteers, paid staff, and contractors to oversee the Film Festival and other DIFF programming, including (but not limited to) Manhattan Shorts Festival, Best ofFest, REEL Learning Program, the 4 Corners Film Office, and other public programing and events.

• Oversee key volunteers, paid staff, and contractors who provide communications and marketing for programming and public events.

Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two or more years of experience in a non-profit, senior-level leadership position, preferably in arts administration, fundraising, non-profit management, non-profit programming, or a related field.

• This is an excellent opportunity for someone with senior-level experience, ready to take the next step to executive leadership.

• Two or more years coordinating large-scale nonprofit events and/or festivals.

• Two or more years supervisory experience with paid staff and volunteers, including performance management and staff mentorship.

• Two or more years fundraising experience, including grant writing, sponsorships, and major donor stewardship with annual revenues of $150,000 or higher.

• Demonstrated experience and relationships with local and state funders.

• Basic understanding of nonprofit fund accounting and financial processes including budget development, profit and loss statements, balance sheets, 990 filings and bank reconciliation.

• Demonstrated excellence with verbal and written communication skills.

• Experience with public speaking engagements at intimate gatherings and public events.

• Demonstrated experience working with diverse and historically marginalized communities.

EXPECTED COMPETENCIES:

Leadership:

• Demonstrates a capacity for leadership that places the needs of others and the organization first, while helping individuals develop and grow.

• Actively communicates the purpose of the organization and a compelling future vision, while placing the organization ahead of any self-interests.

• Earns the trust of stakeholders by stewarding the organization through an approach centering on values, integrity, transparency, and consistency.

• Strategic and creative thinker with an entrepreneurial spirit.

• Demonstrates confidence and deep institutional knowledge when representing the organization with funders, the film community, community partners, and the local/regional community at large.

• Consistently demonstrates competence and knowledge of the organization’s financial position and confidently communicates both positive and negative financial updates in a timely manner.

Team Management & Mentoring:

• Delegates effectively by building the knowledge and leadership skills of key volunteers and paid staff through mentoring and coaching.

• Sets clear and time-bound expectations, provides constructive and timely feedback/guidance, and holds individuals accountable in a respectful manner.

• Empathizes and listens to the concerns of volunteers and paid staff, using active listening skills and understands how best to handle situations professionally.

• Balances listening and talking, using active listening techniques.

Culture Building & Creative Environment:

• Demonstrates a strong belief that film and storytelling is an empowering tool to foster belonging and community.

• Fosters an inclusive organizational culture where respect, equity and accessibility are embedded across leadership, programming, and community partnerships.

• Ability to develop good working relationships to build a cohesive and engaged community, in a positive, creative, and equitable environment.

• Ability to cultivate a team-oriented, collaborative, and creative environment.

• Effectively collaborates with others to identify and address barriers to access and participation.

• Values cultural humility and demonstrates openness to learning from others’ lived experiences.

• Conveys information clearly and effectively and keeps stakeholders well informed in a timely and respectful manner.

Planning, Organization & Managing Change:

• Accountable for measurable, high-quality, timely and cost-effective results.

• Highly organized and demonstrated success in juggling changing priorities and deadlines, providing reasonable and sufficient lead-time to volunteers, paid staff, board members, and partners.

• Able to process information and manage responsibilities from multiple sources and navigate change through agility and adaptability.

• Effectively allocates resources, including personnel, property, and money to achieve the goals of the organization.

• Remains focused, composed and optimistic when faced with adversity, disappointment, or opposition.

• Works to identify, mitigate and resolve conflicts in a timely manner.

Decision Making:

• Makes sound, independent decisions, while understanding when consensus and collaborative decision making are necessary.

• Utilizes critical thinking to strategically make decisions using objectivity, analysis, collaboration, and due diligence.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Willingness and ability to work nights and weekends (specifically for the Film Festival, board and staff meetings, and other DIFF events).

Salary: $50,000 - $65,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Benefits: DIFF offers a generous Flexible Time Off (FTO) policy, with pre-approval from the Board. Paid holiday time off includes seven (7) holidays, plus two (2) floating holidays. Paid sick time is in accordance with State and Local laws.

Geographic Location: Durango and surrounding Four Corners region. Travel to other film festivals in Colorado and state-wide convenings may be required (pre-approved expenses will be paid by the organization).

Starting date: October 2026 (timing is negotiable)

To Apply: Please email resume and cover letter with the subject line “Executive Director Applicant” to jobs@durangofilm.org. Please do not send additional documents or materials. Please no emails, phone calls or electronic messages to current staff or board members.

Deadline to Apply: The organization will begin accepting applicant materials on September 14, 2026. The job posting will remain active and candidates will continue to be reviewed until the new Executive Director is hired.