Festival Manager

Leadership

• Ensure the logistical and operational delivery of all festival and year-round screenings and events within the annual budget and appropriate time frame.
• Deliver a quality festival to all stakeholders with professionally produced events and screenings.
• Be the key point of contact with festival partner venues.
• Coordinate gathering of information for Post Event Reports, ensuring all information has been collated before departure of season festival staff.

Timeline & Planning

• Manage the full life cycle of DIFF from planning to execution of all festival events.
• Oversee year-round DIFF event activities.
• Facilitate interdepartmental communications and ensure all deadlines are met.

Financial Control & Management

• Working with the Executive Festival Director and Director of Commercial and Marketing, create an overall financial strategy and reserve policy to secure the long-term viability of the festival.
• Work closely with the EFD to oversee and monitor annual budgets for the festival.
• Oversee strict adherence to budgetary policy and responsibility accounting thoughout the organisation.

Partners and Supporters

• Help secure and maximise annual public sector funding for the festival.
• Be the key point of contact with public funding bodies especially Arts Council, Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán and Dublin City Council.
• Prepare Post Event Reports (PERs) for public sector partners and sponsors.

Staff Recruitment and Management

• Project staffing needs, recruit, manage and develop a festival team of the highest calibre.
• Encourage personal and professional development of all staff, in line with the festival’s objectives.
• Ensure that all staff are appropriately contracted, qualified and trained, and that they operate professionally and respectfully as representatives of the festival at all times.
• Proactively manage any new HR implicated legal changes for DIFF.

Strategy

• Monitor and measure activities against DIFF strategy KPIs and advise DIFF board and executive on performance.

Governance

• Oversee preparation of materials and communications for effective board and subcommittee meetings and decision making.
• Preparation of Festival Manager’s report of each Board Meeting.
• Support Chair in preparation and management of board and sub-committee meetings.
• Ensure the company is in strict compliance in all areas of governance and regulations including staff, insurance, health and safety, partnerships, venues, city authorities, funders, suppliers, the public and Board.
• Monitor adherence to Charities Regulator governance requirements and ensure that annual declaration is complete and submitted to meet deadlines.

EDI and Sustainability Policies, Plans & Reporting

• With the EFD, research and update all policies and plans relating to both EDI and Sustainability and implement into the festival planning.
• Ensure that DIFF is fully up to date with all policies relating to both EDI and Sustainability and that these policies are accessible to all.
• Update EDI and Sustainability Plans and ensure collection of data and annual reporting is completed.

Office

• Secure and set up office space for 6 months (Oct-Mar) each year for the festival team.
• Organise and oversee moving of office equipment from storage to office and return to storage post festival.
• Monitor IT system to ensure that festival team has access to all necessary files while maintaining privacy and adherence to GDPP.

Person specifications

• Strategic– Able to shape and deliver clear plans that align with DIFF’s vision, meeting deadlines and budgets.
• Organised– Skilled at managing complex timelines, multiple venues, and year-round activities.
• Leadership– Experienced in recruiting, managing and motivating teams to deliver at the highest level.
• Financial– Confident with budget creation, monitoring, and ensuring resources are used effectively.
• Diplomatic– Strong communicator who can represent DIFF with funders, partners, venues, board members, and audiences.
• Resilient– Steady under pressure and adept at problem-solving in a fast-paced festival environment.
• Accountable– Committed to compliance, best practice, and maintaining high standards of accountability.
• Inclusive– Values equality, diversity, sustainability, and accesiblility in every aspect of delivery.
• Passionate– Brings genuine enthusiasm for film and culture, with knowledge of the Irish and international sector.

How to apply

Please send CV and a covering letter (max 2 A4 pages) outlining your interest and experience to jobs@diff.ie with the subject line ‘Festival Manager Application’.

Interviews will be held in Dublin on w/c 27 October

Deadline to apply: 10 October 5pm

Applicants must be eligible to work in the Republic of Ireland

Dublin International Film Festival is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, ethnicities and communities.

#LI-DNI

The closing date for this position is 10/10/2025 at 17:00