Executive Director

Executive Director
Position Profile

About the Opportunity

Montclair Film, headquartered in Montclair, New Jersey and home to the celebrated Montclair Film Festival, seeks their next Executive Director to shepherd this growing organization through its next chapter of achievement and impact. Since 2010 when the festival was founded, Montclair Film has evolved into a year-round cultural hub, offering a diverse and comprehensive education program, screenings at its arthouse cinemas, and an active community engagement program. With an annual budget of close to $4.5 million and a staff of 20 full-time and 28 part-time employees, Montclair Film continues to advance annual festival and year-round programming goals. The organization continues to cultivate important community partnerships with other local nonprofits, neighboring schools, and educational organizations, and serves as a vibrant gathering space for the Montclair and Essex County communities.

Reporting to an active and engaged Board of Trustees and serving as a co-leader of the organization with Artistic Director, Tom Hall, the Executive Director will be critical in advancing the organization’s mission, inspiring the team, and creating the financial capacity to achieve its vision. This leader will be an adept communicator, forward-thinking strategist, and experienced in making nuanced business decisions. They will also be skilled in fundraising and building relationships for the organization.

Job Description

The Executive Director is one of two co-leaders of Montclair Film that report to the Board of Trustees, guide the staff, and set the strategic vision for the organization. Their partner and co-leader, the Artistic Director, leads all curatorial and programmatic planning, while the Executive Director is responsible for the overall administration, finance, and development activities of the organization. Together, these leaders face the opportunities of further growth for the organization, as Montclair Film continues to build upon its esteemed reputation across the national film festival circuit and sustains its impact on the local cultural and civic community it inhabits in northern New Jersey.

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Organizational Oversight/Staff Management
2. Fundraising/Development
3. Marketing & Communications
4. Education
5. Community Engagement
6. Government Relations/Advocacy
7. Board Management/Development

Qualifications and Characteristics

• Proven experience in a leadership position of a non-profit, with a strong preference for experience in the arts, with responsibility for strategic oversight, fundraising, operations and administration, marketing, and Board relations
• A passion for the arts, knowledge of film, and appreciation for their impact on culture
• Strong business acumen with the ability to effectively interpret financial statements, identify areas of improvement, develop business cases, address problems, and develop forecasts
• Extensive expertise and experience in fundraising principles and best practices
• An assured public presence and high comfort level with business and community leaders, trustees, and other stakeholders
• Ability and willingness to share responsibility and authority with the Artistic Director
• Excitement for engaging with the local community to understand the full impact of the organization
• Flexible, adaptable, organized, and nimble to match the culture of the organization

Compensation

The salary for this position is $125,000-150,000. Montclair Film provides comprehensive benefits, including access to medical insurance with a substantial employer contribution; the opportunity to participate in a 401(k) plan; paid time off; and parking.

Montclair Film is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Montclair Film prohibits discrimination on all legally protected characteristics.

Application Instructions

To apply, visit the online application ( and submit your materials. Your cover letter should include relevant training or experience, why you consider yourself a good fit for this opportunity, and anything else you’d like us to know about your qualifications.

Applications will be accepted until this role is filled. We encourage you to apply by April 28, 2025, for priority consideration.