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CEO
INDEPENDENT CINEMA OFFICE
2,500 per year
Remote
Part-time
7th December 2025

CEO

Documentary Film Council

Remote, with annual attendance at Sheffield DocFest and occasional travel elsewhere in the UK and internationally.

Salary: £2,500 per annum plus travel and expenses.

The Documentary Film Council is looking to recruit their first-ever CEO to lead the organisation into the next phase of its development.

The Documentary Film Council is looking to recruit their first-ever CEO to lead the organisation into the next phase of its development.

Role details
  • This role will initially be compensated with an honorarium rather than a salary. Although we are engaged in discussions with several potential funders and our financial position is stable, the DFC is not yet in a position to support paid staff. Indeed, overseeing our transition from a volunteer-run body to an institution run by a paid team will be an essential part of your work. We are aware of the implications this has for equality and diversity, and for the amount of time
    candidates can commit to the role. To mitigate this, we are committed to working with the successful candidate as flexibly as possible.
  • Working pattern: Negotiable according to the rhythms of other commitments; ideally, candidates will commit to a minimum average of two days per week for at least one year, with a view to moving to a paid permanent position and increasing the time commitment.
  • The role is open for a job-share
  • To find out more and apply, please or emailvisit the Documentary Film Councilinfo@documentaryfilmcouncil.co.uk
Role responsibilities

As well as growing the DFC’s membership across the nations and regions of the UK, you will
take a leading role in engaging with policymakers and stakeholders across the screen
industries. This will include working with the DCMS, BFI, Ofcom, broadcasters, streamers,
screen agencies and our sister organisations in the documentary sector, all to enhance support.

  • 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, Accounts and Annual General Meeting.
  • Oversee the DFC’s governance structures and procedures and foster an inclusive, open
    and accountable culture within the organisation, from the trustees to the members.
  • Manage the recruitment of volunteers, contractors and staff.
Person specifications

Essential

  • 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.

Desirable

  • Experience managing charitable and/or cultural organisations.
  • Experience of organisational development.
  • Experience of policy and advocacy work, ideally running campaigns at national level.
  • A background in strategic partnership development.
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 info@documentaryfilmcouncil.co.uk 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.

We are committed to building a more diverse and inclusive documentary sector and are particularly keen that senior roles are accessible to everyone with the relevant skills and experience. We will offer a guaranteed interview to all candidates who meet our Essential Criteria and who identify as Global Majority, Black, Asia, or Minority Ethics, D/deaf, hard-of-hearing, Disabled, neurodiverse or working class. We are very keen to support applicants with access requirements, for example people who are
D/deaf, hard of hearing, Disabled, neurodiverse or visually impaired. Please contact us to let us know how we can help. For example, we can cover the costs of a BSL interpreter for a meeting prior to preparing an application, or arrange for alternative application formats such as video applications or slide decks. We’ll be guided by you.

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).

After you apply
You will receive confirmation that your application has been received within one week of submitting. We will inform candidates about the outcome of the shortlisting process within two weeks of the application deadline.

Applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. For more information about how the Documentary Film Council processes data, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

About the DFC

Launched at Sheffield DocFest in 2023, the DFC is the first national membership association dedicated to documentary film and TV in the UK. Our mission is to represent the British documentary sector to industry and government and to support the development and growth of the UK’s documentary community.

It’s no secret that our sector is facing unprecedented challenges. Addressing these challenges requires a national organisation with a remit to represent the sector and advocate in its interests. As a charitable co-operative – the first of its kind in the UK screen industries – the DFC is independent, member-owned and governed by a Board of Trustees who are elected by, and accountable to, its members.

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The closing date for this position is 07/12/2025 at 23:59