Career

Festwave Institute Director

The Director of the Institute is responsible for the direction, funding, growth and operation of the Institute. They will bring vision, leadership, experience and direction to the Institute. They will represent the Institute with the staff, the media, partners, community members and stakeholders. The Director will guide the various Institute teams and work closely with Operations, Marketing and Communications, Program Managers and Technology Managers to maximize the Institute’s attendance, prominence, impact and profitability to further the mission of empowering the next generation of Black & underrepresented film & TV professionals in Canada.

Brief Description Of The Fabienne Colas Foundation:

The Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF) is a not-for-profit cultural organization dedicated to building bridges and advancing education through the arts, as well as to supporting the creation, production, promotion and dissemination of cinema, the arts and culture in Canada and elsewhere. To fulfill its mission, the Foundation put together 12 festivals and programs to break barriers, celebrate diversity, and foster togetherness, understanding and inclusion. Since FCF’s inception in 2005, its initiatives/festivals have showcased and supported over 5,000 artists and attracted millions of festivalgoers in Canada, the U.S., Haiti, and Brazil. The Foundation mostly promotes Black culture in Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver, New York City, and Salvador de Bahia (Brazil); and Quebec culture in Port-au-Prince. The Foundation is also the creator of the FCF’s Being Black in Canada program, Canada’s largest incubator dedicated to Black filmmakers.

Brief Description Of The Festwave Institute: 

The Festwave Institute, created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, and financially supported by the Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, is dedicated to removing the barriers that stand in the way of film and television entrepreneurs and supporting them in building successful, sustainable careers. The Institute will do this by giving Black film professionals and other underrepresented creators the tools, skills, and resources required to be successful and independent within a predominantly White-run industry: tailored workshops, panel discussions, masterclasses, hands-on learning, mentorships, networking opportunities, pitching opportunities, equipment access, business skills, match-up programs – all that the Black professional needs to learn, grow, connect and further a career in film and television, both online and on the ground.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Determine and Uphold a Vision:

  • Determine, develop, direct, implement and uphold a vision and a strategic plan for the Institute as a whole
  • Ensure that the Institute achieve its ambitious goals and deadlines
  • Continuously communicate, amplify, promote and readjust the vision to the staff, public, media and stakeholders

Oversee Operations, Administrative and HR Operations:

  • Analyze Budgets and Finances and make recommendations for growth
  • Lead budgeting, feasibility studies and development, pricing, documentation of best practices and SOPs, reporting and overall effective management 
  • In conjunction with HR, lead recruitment, training and evaluation of cross Canadian fulltime and contract staff
  • Provide motivation, support and guidance to all Institute team members and collaborators
  • Foster inter-departmental collaboration to ensure smooth operations of the Institute and a quality level of service
  • Develop budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure
  • Oversee the development and implementation of the fee structure of the Institute
  • Oversee and support Educational Programs and Program Managers
  • In conjunction with Program managers, define the angle and limits of the Institute’s programs
  • Oversee and support the IT department, website and production crew

Oversee and support Communications, Media, Philanthropy & Funding Efforts:

  • Facilitate the development of skills of staff to achieve fundraising goals
  • Act as the main point of contact for various communications with partners and sponsors
  • Identify, develop and ensure resources to achieve organization strategic direction
  • Identify and develop business cases for new funding and granting sources
  • Appear on media to represent the institute in support of philanthropy and partnership and sponsorship efforts
  • Meet with government representatives, stakeholders, etc to represent and push the Institute
  • Oversee the coordination of government grants and funding reporting requirements to meet funder deadlines 

  • Establish and maintain strategic relationships with government representatives, stakeholders, media, members of the educational industry, funders, partners, granting organizations, sponsors, donors, community partners and networks
  • Promote the Institute on all media and act as a spokesperson for the agency with media representatives, at public functions, conferences, television appearances and at other venues
  • Participate in systems advocacy with groups that focus locally, nationally and internationally in the promotion of Black Entrepreneurship

Qualifications:

  • Previous directorial experience
  • Previous experience in Film/TV industry, festivals and events, entertainment, arts and/or non-profit sectors
  • Background in finance or business administration and/or related fields
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills

  • Strong attention to detail
  • Ability to work under pressure, with tight deadlines
  • Awareness and sensitivity towards various ethnic, cultural and other diverse backgrounds, and a demonstrated passion for the mission of the Institute
  • Flexible and agile in terms of working in a fast-paced job with tight deadlines

  • Ability to multitask, work on several projects simultaneously
  • Google Suite and Microsoft Expert
  • Ability and patience to prepare documents and make strong policies
  • First-class organizational skills
  • Ability to use tact and diplomacy in interactions
  • Ability to maintain a high level of professionalism and integrity
  • Possess good people skills, strong team-management skills, a good communicator, and be comfortable engaging people from different backgrounds and disciplines
  • Analytical Skills: to gather information from different sources and analyze the data to arrive at logical conclusions
  • Leadership Skills: to positively influence other people and lead others to achieve greater goals more than can be achieved individually
  • Creativity: to encourage innovation and fresh ideas in solving problems so that the organization is not stuck in old patterns of solving problems
  • Bilingual (French and English) an asset

Other particulars:

  • Reports directly to the President of the Foundation
  • Some travel may be required
  • Start date: Immediate
  • Contract Term: Full Time. Due to the nature of the Institute, some evenings and weekends are required
  • Salary: TBD
  • Email Resume and Cover Letter to Sophie at sophie@festwave.com
  • Subject Line: Festwave Institute Director
  • Location: Remote within Canada
  • We strongly encourage applications from BIPOC professionals