Executive Director – Ragtag Film Society

Want to stand at the helm of a visionary arts organization?

Ragtag Film Society is seeking an Executive Director to provide leadership and comprehensive oversight to the organization and its two major projects: Ragtag Cinema and the True/False Film Fest.

The Executive Director will collaborate with Staff and the Board of Directors to craft and execute a strategic vision for the organization and spearhead its future evolutions. The Executive Director will advocate for the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and access to foster an artistic and organizational culture that values a variety of perspectives and promotes empowerment at all levels. Key responsibilities include fundraising, financial management, community engagement, and administration.

Additionally, the Executive Director will develop and implement a strategic and operational plan that advances the mission and vision of Ragtag Film Society. A crucial part of this role will be fostering cultural change and guiding the organization towards continued evolution and growth.

ABOUT RAGTAG CINEMA & TRUE/FALSE FILM FEST

Ragtag Cinema and True/False Film Fest have established a strong mission, vision, and a sterling reputation in independent cinema and the documentary film industry. Looking ahead, the Society aims to continue as a beacon of community building and film culture in an ever-evolving cinema and festival landscape.

Over 20 years, True/False radically reimagined what a film festival could be. Now we seek new  leadership eager to usher in the next wave of playful experimentation and immersive event planning. Similarly, Ragtag Cinema has grown to be a touchpoint of community engagement with the arts. As cinemas around the country work to redefine themselves, Ragtag will continue to adapt and innovate as a community-driven arts hub. 

The right candidate will hold the spirit of radical hospitality, fierce independence and the exuberant re-imagining of fest and cinema structure. Ragtag Film Society is innovative and experimental – and you should be too.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
The Executive Director will report to the Board of Directors and serve as the primary representative to the Finance Committee. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Executive Director will:

• Oversee Ragtag Film Society’s strategic, fundraising, financial management, community engagement, and administration functions;
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors, supporting its governance functions and strategic priorities;
• Fulfill the role of fundraiser-in-chief, including the cultivation of high-tier memberships and solicitation of major gifts;
• Ensure appropriate resources, controls, risk management, and oversight are in place;
• Manage the fiscal health of Ragtag Film Society, including regular financial monitoring, reporting, and forecasting, annual audits, ongoing cost controls, and both earned and contributed income;
• Serve as the primary spokesperson for the organization, communicating with the media, the public, and major donors;
• Collaborate with key stakeholders and partners to advance efforts across a network of trusted collaborators.

PREFERRED COMPETENCIES

Ragtag Film Society seeks an Executive Director with a passion for leadership and an entrepreneurial drive. An ideal candidate will ask the right questions and seek out answers. They should have an acute understanding of the current arts nonprofit landscape that can be directly applied to the rapidly changing film and documentary arena. Attention to the communities served by Ragtag Film Society is paramount. 

Ragtag Film Society seeks an Executive Director with:

• A dedication to the mission of Ragtag Film Society and inspiring the shared joy, wonder, and introspection that cinema can manifest;
• Capabilities to create an organizational culture of teamwork, accountability, safety, and trust; 
• Exceptional management skills, including high emotional intelligence;
• Proven experience in developing, implementing, and representing advocacy and education programs at organizations of similar size and scope;
• Demonstrated success in raising funds for a nonprofit organization, particularly through major gifts and direct response channels;
• Strong financial management skills, including managing an annual budget, controlling expenses, risk management, forecasting and other financial analysis;
• An understanding of creative and cutting-edge event design;
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills;
• A track record of building strong relationships with diverse partners and leveraging those relationships effectively;
• A highly collaborative work style that incorporates all points of view and navigates conflict with humor, grace, and confidence.

A substantial amount of nonprofit leadership experience at an arts organization on a similar growth trajectory is preferred for this role. Ragtag Film Society will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can contribute to the organization, but your experience does not align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply. Salary range, based on the candidate’s experience, is $75,000-$90,000. Insurance and other benefits are included. To apply, please send your resume along with a cover letter to search committee chair David Wilson, [email protected]. In your cover letter, along with key qualifications and intention please highlight an arts organization that has inspired you. We will begin interviews for this position October 1 — applications  may be considered after this point, but we recommend candidates submit materials before this date. 

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

LOCATION

This position is in Columbia, Missouri. 

ABOUT COLUMBIA, MISSOURI

Columbia, Missouri, is a vibrant city in the heart of Mid-Missouri with a rich history that goes back nearly 200 years. The area was home to the Mound builders and was populated by the Osage and Missouria tribes when the European explorers arrived. It is home to the University of Missouri and is ranked by the American Institute for Economic Research as one of the nation’s top 10 college towns. The city combines small-town comforts, community spirit, and a low cost of living with big-city culture, activities, and resources. With a population of about 120,000, Columbia is situated midway between Missouri’s largest metro areas: St. Louis and Kansas City. Living expenses in Columbia are 5% below the national average. Housing costs are 14% lower, and healthcare expenses are 8% less. A three-bedroom home rents for approximately $2,000 and has a median sale price of $265,000. The community boasts nationally recognized public schools, including two top-ranked high schools, along with other colleges and educational centers. This arts-loving city also takes pride in its own symphony orchestra and professional ballet company.  The city is filled with restaurants, entertainment venues, parks, and outdoor recreation sites like Rock Bridge State Park and the MKT Trail. Columbia also hosts over a dozen annual cultural festivals and has been named one of the best places to live by Money magazine, Fortune magazine, U.S. News World Report, Men’s Journal, and MSN.com, among others.

Robert Daniels of RogerEbert.com describes Columbia, Missouri, as having ”a unique vibe where Western plainness and Southern warmth—the potent concoction that is the calling card of the Midwest—is deeply felt.” He further praises the True/False Film Fest as “a rare gem…a kind of Eden for nonfiction film.”