Assistant Director Job Description
Tallgrass Film Association
Reports To: Executive Director
Classification: Full Time, In person, Salaried
About Tallgrass:
Tallgrass Film Association entertains, educates, and inspires audiences in the Wichita community and beyond showcasing the best of independent films from around the world through an annual 4-day film festival, year-round special screenings, filmmaking competitions, and filmmaker labs. We strive to preserve the cultural tradition of film as a communal adventure. Movies bring us together: they entertain, spark conversation, build community, and forge new relationships.
Our core values and vision are listed here.
The Assistant Director works full-time year-round and assists with all aspects of Tallgrass, including but not limited to the following established programs:
- Tallgrass Film Festival
- Emerging Filmmaker Program
- Take 36 Film Race
- Emily Bonavia Tallgrass Film Center
Event Operations:
- Coordinate all aspects of festival operations, including venue logistics, transportation, box office management, and customer service.
- Oversee event scheduling, staffing, and volunteer coordination.
- Manage production logistics, ticketing, and technical requirements.
- Provide suggestions for improving operations based on audience and staff feedback.
- Assist with private rental marketing and operations.
- Ensure each screening is staffed appropriately and theater pre-roll is updated.
Marketing and Communication:
- Assist with event marketing strategies, including design feedback and signage.
- Attend and contribute to year-round meetings, offering input on program planning and event strategies.
- Manage year-round customer service efforts, gathering feedback and improving the end-user experience.
Theater and Office Operations:
- Manage theater operations, including film playlists, staffing, and inventory updates.
- Maintain, develop, and strategize year-round box office and membership systems.
- Oversee office operations, including intern orientation, software management, and communication systems.
- Coordinate and design operational manuals for in-house and partnered programs.
- Deep clean theater and office monthly.
- Cross-count cash weekly and at the end of the month with ED.
- Assist with filing and scanning as needed.
Additional Duties:
- Assist with association development as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- Background clearances.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Qualifications:
- Basic knowledge of film festivals or willingness to learn.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and work under time constraints.
- Strong attention to detail and adaptability.
- Ability to remain calm under pressure.
- Demonstrates initiative in tackling tasks and projects
Comfort with technology and troubleshooting.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, when needed. This could include some evenings and weekends approximately15% of the time
Desired:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent job experience
- Prior experience working at a film festival or coordinating large-scale events
If this sounds like you, please apply for this position. Send your resume and cover letter to melanie@tallgrassfilm.org by Wednesday, May 1, 2024, by 5 p.m. for priority consideration.
Compensation: Salary Range: $42,000 – $45,000 plus health insurance benefits. Flexible PTO and relaxed work environment.
Box Office Manager
Timeframe and Hours
This is a contract position for the week of the Tallgrass Film Festival, October 24-27, 2024, position will be full-time during this week, and requires staff meetings every other week from June through August and weekly meetings in September.
The Box Office Manager executes various administrative duties related to ticket sales and fulfillment, membership and partner acquisition and renewal, special events, accounting, reporting, list generation, and audience analysis.
Training of Eventive provided. Contract position is $2,500 for two weeks in October.
Beverage Coordinator
This is a seasonal, contract position where you will assist in procuring and distributing all beverages for the Tallgrass Film Festival.
Primary Roles and Responsibilities
- Work with the Executive Director and Operations Director to secure beverage and ice donations and purchases for the festival.
- Coordinate pick-ups with vendors.
- Deliver beverages, cups, and ice to venues during the festival.
- Manage and inventory beverages, cups, and ice and create a spreadsheet/schedule for distribution during the festival.
- Manage and drive the House of Schwan beer truck.
- Work with the Events and Logistics Director to determine beverages and cups needed at venues and events.
- Train volunteer bartenders and manage the bars during events.
Qualifications
- Availability to work the entire week of the festival and attend meetings on Tuesday nights from June through the festival.
- Ability to exhibit consistent follow-through and can work under time constraints.
- Comfort working with alcohol and serving alcohol.
- Ability to drive a truck with a trailer attached.
- Ability to lift 25 lbs and carry beverage cases.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize, problem-solve, and multitask
Desired
- Ability to work effectively alone and with a team
- Good written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Be organized and detail-oriented
- Have strong problem-solving skills
- Have the ability to adapt quickly
- Demonstrated ability to remain calm during stressful situations
- Possesses an outgoing and friendly personality
- Local with own transportation
Contract pay is $1,000-$1,250 for week of the film festival
Food Coordinator – NEW IN 2024
This is a seasonal, contract position where you will assist in procuring and distributing all food for the Tallgrass Film Festival.
Primary Roles and Responsibilities
- Work with the Executive Director and Events Director to secure donated or purchased food for the festival.
- Coordinate pick-ups with vendors.
- Deliver food to venues during the festival or arrange for delivery.
- Manage and inventory food and plates/napkins/utensils during the festival.
- Train volunteers at food serving and safety.
Qualifications
- Availability to work the entire week of the festival and attend meetings on Tuesday nights from June through the festival.
- Ability to exhibit consistent follow-through and can work under time constraints.
- Comfort working with heat, food and volunteers.
- Ability to lift 25 lbs and carry items.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize, problem-solve, and multitask
Desired
- Ability to work effectively alone and with a team
- Good written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Be organized and detail-oriented
- Have strong problem-solving skills
- Have the ability to adapt quickly
- Demonstrated ability to remain calm during stressful situations
- Possesses an outgoing and friendly personality
- Local with own transportation
Contractor pay is $1,000 – $1,250 for the week of the film festival.
RUNNER
Festival Runner –This is a seasonal, contract position where you will provide festival operations assistance for the festival and run errands.
Primary Roles and Responsibilities
Run errands and scheduled food pick-ups when needed
Assist at busy venues and parties when needed
Qualifications
Availability to work the entire week of the festival
Ability to exhibit consistent follow-through and can work under time constraints
Comfort with speaking to other people and working with a group
Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize, problem-solve, and multitask
Desired
Ability to work effectively alone and with a team
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
Be organized and detail-oriented
Have strong problem-solving skills
Have the ability to adapt quickly
Demonstrated ability to remain calm during stressful situations
Possesses an outgoing and friendly personality
Contractor pay is $500 for the 4 days of the film festival.
