Executive Director

With the recent departure of our Founder, who served as Executive and Artistic Director during a remarkable 20-year tenure, we are seeking new leadership for PNI at a critical inflection point in the field of documentary film.  The PNI Board of Directors has appointed an Interim Executive Director to manage the organization during the search period and provide the new Executive Director with the onboarding support essential to a successful leadership transition. PNI’s incoming Executive Director will lead a high-performing team of 7 year-round staff and 50+ independent contractors – many of whom bring 6-10+ years of history with the organization – and will oversee an annual budget of approximately $2.1M.

We are seeking a dynamic, collaborative, and visionary leader to serve in the role of the Executive Director of Points North Institute. The ideal candidate will be committed to advancing and effectively communicating PNI’s vision, mission and values, building an inclusive organizational culture, and guiding our continued evolution into a global media arts institute that is reflective of the diverse creative communities that we serve. Competitive candidates will have significant experience in film, arts, large-scale event/festival production and/or non-profit management and administration, a talent for relationship building, partnership development and fundraising, experience in marketing and public relations, excellent fiscal management and strategic decision-making skills, and a dedication to developing systems, structures, and processes that support organizational excellence and sustainability. They will bring a collaborative management style, supporting and empowering our staff to execute on PNI’s artistic vision and mission, and fostering a culture of trust, support, and accountability.  

Reporting to and working closely with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will be responsible for the overall success and health of Points North Institute. This is a full-time year-round position, with a strong preference for residency in the mid-coast Maine region. If you are passionate about independent documentary film and media, committed to developing new artistic voices, and are eager to make a difference in the cultural landscape, we encourage you to apply.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as chief executive, providing strategic leadership and direction to execute on PNI’s mission and vision and organization-wide management and oversight of the Programming, Operations, and Development Departments;
• Work collaboratively with the Leadership Team to ensure adherence to the mission and values of the organization by providing oversight and guidance on the development of new programs and program areas and ensuring new program ideas have business plans that include staffing needs, revenues, and expenses along with a timeline for implementation;
• Be accountable for ensuring revenue stream by building relationships with donors, sponsors, and foundation partners while seeking new opportunities for program revenue growth;
• Build a strong and sustainable talent base through effective people management including: organizational assessments; hiring, training, coaching, and evaluating staff; equitable salary compensation and HR policies; and relevant professional development opportunities;
• Foster and maintain a professional environment that supports a culture of trust, clarity, and collaboration; 
• Report to and maintain a collaborative relationship with the Board of Directors and Board Chair including: providing regular reports and updates to the Board on ongoing issues;  assessments of organizational accomplishments; and empowering the Board to serve as effective fiduciaries in raising funds,  solving problems, minimizing risks, and seizing opportunities; 
• Develop and maintain relationships with the organization’s key external stakeholders, including filmmakers, artists, industry professionals, donors, sponsors, foundations and community partners;
• Oversee the development of strategic marketing and branding initiatives
• Represent the organization at local, regional, and national levels to enhance visibility and support.

Primary Qualifications:

• Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Points North Institute;
• Demonstrated successful executive leadership experience at an organization overseeing small to midsize teams across various departments including operations, development, and programming;
• Demonstrated track record of excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including an ability to give and receive actionable feedback and approach difficult conversations with care and candor;
• Demonstrated experience building an inclusive work culture, fostering psychological safety, and equitably managing teams with diverse identities, cultures and abilities;
• Demonstrated ability to successfully generate revenue/funding, including individual giving, corporate sponsorships, campaigns, and marketing efforts, as well as manage complex budgets;
• Demonstrated experience successfully serving and balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders, from local to international
• Ability to work in-person in the Rockport, Maine office part to full time

Additional Preferred Qualifications: 

• An understanding of power, privilege, bias and structural inequality, including how these impact the work of cultural institutions;
• Experience managing and collaborating with creative professionals;
• 5-7+ years working in documentary film or related fields, with established relationships across the industry;
• Residency in mid-coast Maine