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Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Documentary Film Council

  •  Remote
  •  Under £10K
  •  Part time
  •  Closes December 7, 2025
  •  DFC Leadership Team
  •  info@documentaryfilmcouncil.co.uk
  • #Film

Description

Job Summary

We’re looking for a respected professional from the documentary industry with an established reputation and a passion for leadership and community-building to become the first-ever CEO of the Documentary Film Council.

Job Description

Job Particulars

Post: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Accountable to: DFC Board of Trustees
Responsible for: DFC Leadership Team
Location: Remote, with annual attendance at Sheffield DocFest and occasional travel
elsewhere in the UK and internationally.
Working hours/pattern: Minimum of two days per week, with a
view to moving to a paid permanent position and increasing the time commitment.
Honorarium: £2,500 per annum plus travel and expenses.

Role outline

The DFC's CEO is the most senior executive position within the organisation. The CEO is
responsible for the overall leadership and development of the organisation and, with the support
and oversight of the Board of Trustees, takes a leading role in the design and delivery of the
DFC's mission and strategic direction. As the main public face of the DFC, the CEO is
responsible for representing DFC members and the wider UK documentary sector to
government, industry and the media.
The CEO manages the DFC's Leadership Team (currently comprised of volunteers) and is
ultimately responsible for the day-to-day-management of all aspects of the organisation. The
CEO has an ex officio seat on the DFC Board and is the primary connection between the
Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees. The CEO works closely with the chair of the DFC's
board to ensure trustees remain active and engaged, and that there is a clear chain and culture
of accountability from the Board of Trustees to the members.
The CEO is also responsible for ensuring that the DFC is compliant with its obligations as a
charitable co-operative. This includes overseeing elections and other democratic procedures
and preparing, with support of the trustees, the Annual Report and Accounts.

Job Requirements

  • Expert knowledge of documentary film and television in the UK, the issues and challenges the sector faces and its position within the wider screen industries.
  • Established networks and a proven track record of leadership in the documentary sector.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a demonstrable ability to represent and advocate for DFC members and the documentary sector to industry, government and the media in person and online.
  • A proven track record of fundraising success and an ability to understand and interpret financial data and performance metrics.
  • Experience managing substantial budgets.
  • Knowledge of co-operative governance structures and a passion for open, transparent and democratic institutions.
  • Outstanding interpersonal skills and a collaborative leadership style based on teamwork, emotional intelligence, empathy and generosity of spirit.
  • A proven track record of commitment diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • SEE FULL JOB PACK FOR MORE

Job Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic direction to the DFC and manage its day-to-day business in line with the organisation's mission and values.
  • Lead the DFC's policy and advocacy work: liaising with sister organisations across the documentary sector in the UK and internationally and leading discussions with policymakers at DCMS, BFI, Ofcom, broadcasters, streamers, screen agencies and adjacent bodies.
  • Represent the DFC on the UK Screen Sector Task Force.
  • Actively engage with the media and trade press to promote the documentary sector and its needs and represent the DFC membership within the screen industries and beyond.
  • Attend festivals, markets and events in the UK and internationally to represent and promote the UK documentary sector and build and maintain relationships with stakeholders across the screen industries.
  • Lead fundraising efforts and partnership development.
  • Work alongside the DFC's Board of Trustees and accountants to deliver Trustees' Annual Report
  • SEE FULL JOB PACK FOR MORE

Useful Links

How to Apply

Deadline for applications
The deadline for applications is midnight, Sunday 7th December 2025.
Short-listed candidates will be invited to a two-stage interview process: stage one interviews will
take place online (online) w/c January 12; stage two interviews will be in-person in London w/c
January 19 (stage two interviews will also be available online for those unable to travel - please
make this known in your application to enable us to plan in advance).
How to apply
All applicants must be full voting Members of the DFC. Unless we’ve agreed an alternative
application format with you, you should email a CV and cover letter to
[email protected] with the subject line ‘CEO Job Application’. The cover letter
should be no more than two sides of A4 and should set out why you want the role and how you
meet the essential criteria.

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