Position: Executive Director
Location: Flexible in the U.S., with up to 33% estimated travel (U.S. and international)
Reporting relationship: Board of Directors
ABOUT MEDIA IMPACT FUNDERS
Media Impact Funders (MIF) traces its roots back to the Council on Foundations, a longtime philanthropy-serving organization. Formerly Grantmakers in Film, Video & Television, MIF began on a volunteer basis in 1984 as an affinity group for funders interested in the power of film to highlight social issues. Reflecting changes in technology and media behavior over the subsequent decade, it was renamed Grantmakers in Film & Electronic Media (GFEM) and formally incorporated in 2008 to advance the field of media arts and public interest media funding. It had 45 members and was headed by former MacArthur Foundation Program Officer Alyce Myatt.
GFEM was renamed Media Impact Funders in 2012 and has since expanded its strategy to include a broad range media funding interests such as journalism, immersive technologies, media policy and more. Since that time, MIF has grown to more than 120 organizational members representing some of the largest foundations and holds more than 40 in-person and online events yearly.
Today, MIF represents changemakers in the media funding space, serving a diverse and growing field of foundations, funding collaboratives, and individual donors. MIF’s members and supporters have access to valuable resources—programs, webinars, in-person events, research and more—that encourage the most effective use of media to achieve their philanthropic and programmatic goals, and to understand and maximize the impact of their work.
MIF is an amplifier of quality media:
- We tailor programming that explores a broad range of issues and opportunities in the media funding field.
- We facilitate peer collaborations and resource-sharing to create or expand media effectiveness.
- We inform funders’ decision-making with convenings focused on best practices in impact assessment, along with a highly curated selection of impact assessment tools, analyses, and research.
- We offer extensive staff and board expertise on best practices and funding models.
- We collaborate with other philanthropy serving organizations to showcase the power and impact of storytelling through media.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Executive Director will provide dynamic, visionary, and entrepreneurial leadership for Media Impact Funders (MIF). In partnership with the Board, and in service to MIF’s members, the Executive Director will be charged with the strategic leadership, management, and direction of MIF. The Executive Director will be a visionary with the ability to drive the strategic direction and agenda for MIF to advance the work of a broad range of funders committed to effective use and support of media in the public interest.
With a genuine commitment to harnessing the full potential of collaboration within the media funding landscape, this individual will be charged with forging and strengthening relationships within and outside media and journalism, as well as cultivating new ventures for the organization that best support the field. The Executive Director will focus on integrating planning, communications, and development strategies to sustain and build the organization, raising the profile of MIF and increasing the level of impact.
Under guidance of and in partnership with the Board, the Executive Director will evolve the organization’s approach and culture to better serve funders, promote impactful journalism and film, strengthen media ecosystems, and address a wide set of issues in an ever-evolving landscape of media and information. The next leader will embody and apply core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as embrace and align diverse perspectives across multi-stakeholders and multi-issues. The Executive Director will provide thought leadership to engage and align both funders and the field, adeptly navigate the political climate, and leverage opportunities for media advancement within, across, and outside of the traditional media funding landscape to achieve MIF’s mission.
The Executive Director is responsible for directing all components of the organization, leading the staff, and ensuring a strong culture of respect, teamwork, innovation, and staff empowerment. The Executive Director ensures sound finances and operations, quality standards and effective governance by the Board.
Specifically, the Executive Director must:
Strategic Planning & Operation Management
- Lead strategic planning and day-to-day operations of MIF’s staff, programs, annual planning, and budget development, with an emphasis on operational efficiency.
- Lead a total staff of approximately six. Role functions include: Development, Communications, Finance & Operations, Program Design & Implementation, and Member Engagement.
- Lead MIF through a strategic planning process, in partnership with the Board, and develop a vision to ensure MIF’s continued growth and evolution in a rapidly changing environment in media.
- Lead long-term vision of MIF’s past, present, and future.
- Oversee impact analysis and reports and adjust strategy annually based on findings.
Fundraising & External Affairs
- Serve as the primary external surrogate for fundraising and identification of new partnerships to help reach / grow annual revenue goals, in close partnership with the development team and Board of Directors.
- Serve as the chief spokesperson for MIF among members and industry leaders, at industry events, and diverse media, and publications. Position MIF as a key, trusted source of industry data, strengthening MIF’s reputation as a “go-to” community for all types of media funders at all levels.
- Be adept in developing working relationships among grant makers, members, industry influencers, policymakers, and leaders in other fields to collectively further the work of media funding and its role in preserving civil society.
- Skillfully identify emerging media issues and convincingly convey their importance to grant makers, the policy community, and key stakeholders.
Communications, Creative & Programming Strategy
- Be astute in conceiving, staffing, and funding innovative projects to educate, respond to, and catalyze action by media funders.
- Enhance events and services to provide unique value to members and deepen connections with the member network year-round.
- Lead MIF’s program strategy, setting the vision and direction of the organization’s programming and intended impact in partnership with the Board of Directors, members, and staff.
- Lead MIF’s creative strategy and infrastructure building, including communications, marketing, and brand growth and development in partnership with the Board of Directors, members, and staff.
Governance & Board Relations
- Work closely with the Board of Directors and Board Committees to ensure effective communication of timely and accurate information necessary for the Board to make informed and strategic decisions to ensure organizational efficacy and governance.
- Function as a strong thought partner to the Board of Directors and a strong leader and decision-maker to the staff.
- Develop, maintain, and support an active, engaged working Board of Directors by attending quarterly board and committee meetings and seeking Board involvement with organizational strategy and programmatic growth as needed.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS
The Executive Director must have demonstrated leadership experience, ideally in membership organizations, and a track record as an effective and dynamic brand ambassador for a mission-driven organization. This role requires expertise in influencing diverse stakeholders through thought leadership, political sophistication, persuasive communication, and collaboration.
The Executive Director will have a keen interest in the changing environment within the media landscape and how to address a wide set of issues within, outside of, and across the field. The successful candidate will bring a high degree of emotional intelligence and build a strong foundation of vision, leadership, organizational strategy, and culture management to evaluate the current state of MIF, adapt its approach in response to external and emerging needs, and optimize its role and impact for the future.
Ideal qualifications will include:
- Enterprising leader who charts a clear growth strategy for the organization.
- Diplomatic ability to embrace diverse perspectives, align multiple stakeholders, and drive cohesion around a universal mission to support media in the public interest.
- Innovative thinker who inspires action by media funders and other key players in the field, challenging the status quo where appropriate.
- Effective communication and public presentation skills to promote MIF work to external audiences
- Agility to respond to emerging trends and current events that are likely to impact the field of media funding.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Keen intellect and an active curiosity; a lifelong earlier.
- Passion about the importance of media funding and its role in preserving civil society
Leadership
- Demonstrated business acumen, including familiarity with nonprofit budgeting and financial reports, and working with a board to manage fiscal and fiduciary accountability.
- Understanding of nonprofit governance; ability to guide, engage and work in partnership with a board of directors, especially around strategic planning and oversight.
- Ability to create and maintain high standards of performance, instill accountability, foster innovation, and drive continuous learning and quality improvement.
- Thorough grasp of effective organizational development, program design, staffing structure, operational model and culture change.
Management
- Prudent stewardship of the organization’s financial resources.
- Successful experience in fundraising, revenue generation, and securing resources for general operating and programmatic support. Skilled in balancing ongoing commitments and proactively seizing unanticipated opportunities that arise.
- Ability to hire, lead, supervise, and inspire qualified staff, as well as develop, maintain, and enhance an organizational infrastructure and systems to build and support growth.
- Proven track record of success in strategic planning, program development, and project implementation. Ability to make and execute difficult decisions that may be necessary for MIF’s ongoing success and growth.
- Strong interpersonal skills and political savviness, with a track record of participating in and fostering collaboration; ability to instill a culture of autonomy and empowerment.
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
Compensation
The expected base salary range for this position will be $225,000 – $325,000 and will be competitive and commensurate with experience. MIF offers a comprehensive benefits package, including complete coverage for health, dental, and vision insurance; a retirement contribution; a childcare stipend; a generous paid-time-off program; a flexible remote work schedule; and staff development opportunities.
- MIF covers medical, dental, and vision coverage for all full-time employees. Complete coverage is provided, meaning the employee does not have anything deducted from their paycheck to cover benefits.
- Retirement contribution is 3% of base salary. Not a match.
- Childcare stipend provided of $5K for children under the age of 13. Note, this is $5K total, not per dependent.
- Vacation Days
- First year of employment – 10 days
- Second and third year of employment – 15 days
- Fourth year of employment and after – 20 days
- Paid days off – nine holidays, two personal days, and two floating holidays
MIF has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the organization may pay for the position at the time of posting.
HOW TO APPLY
MIF has retained Korn Ferry to assist the Board in this search. Applications (including resume or CV and a cover letter addressing interest) should be submitted to Delaney.Crampton@KornFerry.com. Nominations and inquiries should be directed electronically to Delaney.Crampton@KornFerry.com.
