Director of Operations

Overview

Film Forum, a 54-year old acclaimed nonprofit cinema located in lower Manhattan, seeks a collaborative, detail-oriented Director of Operations. This is a management role, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a busy 4-screen theater open every day of the year, and of a 6-story building containing offices and apartments. Ensuring the best moviegoing experience for Film Forum’s audiences is a primary concern of the Director of Operations.

This position requires strong management skills, excellent communication skills, and an understanding of cinema operations. The ideal candidate will be able to juggle many tasks and work collaboratively across departments while maintaining an even keel.

The Director of Operations reports to and works closely with the Managing Director. The Director of Operations supervises a staff of five: Operations Assistant, Print & Administrative Coordinator, and three IATSE Local 306 projectionists.

Responsibilities

Programming Facilitation and Execution

• Work closely with projectionists, programmers, theater managers, distributors, filmmakers and post houses to articulate projection needs & issues
• Be responsible for program content management and reformatting of media files, including DCP creation
• Guide upkeep of projection equipment with Film Forum’s service providers, and working with projectionists to troubleshoot issues
• Stay abreast of latest theater and projection technologies
• Schedule usage of theater’s four theaters in association with the Managing Director, programmers, theater managers, and publicists
• Run tech screenings and event rehearsals
• Advise programmers on technical aspects of special events

General Operations and Administration

• Oversee the upkeep and maintenance of all of Film Forum’s facilities (theaters, offices, and rental apartments) in collaboration with Head of Maintenance, and with the participation of the Operations Assistant, including hands-on support when needed
• Participate in procurement, purchasing, and management of vendor contracts
• Establish and maintain operational policies and procedures that will ensure the organization is operating efficiently and effectively.
• Work with Managing Director to develop IT system protocols in partnership with outside IT consultants
• Manage the theater’s fiscal sponsorship program
• Analyze sales data to inform operational and programming decisions, such as merchandise pricing
• Collaborate with Managing Director on maintaining and implementing the organization’s capital improvement and replacement plan

Qualifications and Skills

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in operations, with strong knowledge of cinema systems
• Proven ability to effectively lead a team
• Experience managing several projects simultaneously
• Strong problem-solving skills with a comfort in making quick, well-informed decisions
• Ability to independently think ahead, anticipate challenges, and develop solutions to address them
• Superior organizational skills, high attention to detail, and systems-oriented thinking
• Demonstrated ability to work calmly under pressure on deadline-driven projects in a fast-paced office
• Availability for occasional work outside of regular business hours to address urgent or time-sensitive issues
• Ability to understand the goals and processes of multiple departments and collaborate across them all
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency with MS Office required; knowledge of Asana and other internal IT and communications systems preferred
• Nonprofit experience preferred
• Familiarity with building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing) a plus