View Vacancy - British Film Commission - SVP, US Production and Events

Summary:

To represent and support the British Film Commission and its EVP, US Production, in LA. The SVP, US Production & Events, will foster new business leads and client relationships, assist in growing inward investment, provide production support, oversee communications and marketing as it relates to the North American market and supervise and deliver North American BFC events.  The position will report to the EVP, US Production.

Key Responsibilities:

Business Development and Production support

• Develop new business leads for the BFC with a growing clientele of senior and mid-level US executives in the film, TV and new media sectors.
• Utilize existing network of industry contacts to broaden and expand reach of BFC in entertainment industry
• Nurture and develop industry relationships to grow inward investment.
• Incorporate a sales perspective into industry outreach and ascertain any adjustments to make to local outreach.
• Track film and scripted TV projects through industry liaison that could represent an opportunity for UK inward investment – covering studio, indie and int’l co-productions.
• Handle incoming queries related to film & TV production, post-production and VFX in the UK.
• Take on any special projects or targeted outreach as deemed necessary by the EVP, US Production (i.e. focused pitching to post-production and VFX sector).
• Coordinate resource/production materials for clients including budgets, crew lists, location suggestions, production company profiles, etc.
• Act as the point person for all visa/immigration issues on the US side, working closely with UKBA US offices.
• Assess competitive film commission approaches on a regular basis and recommend any shifts in strategy as a result.
• Spearhead in conjunction with office coordinator an overall US office resource for standard answers to FAQs.

Event & Market Management

• Manage and co-ordinate all BFC market participation and associated events in North America and internationally as required, including overseeing and monitoring event budgets.
• Oversee execution of local LA events to be handled by office coordinator
• Maintain and guide relationships with partners in the context of event management (i.e. British Film Institute (BFI), BAFTA, British Council, etc.).
• Consult and work in collaboration with regional and national screen agencies in the development of events. Ensure the unified ‘We Are UK Film’ brand strategy is implemented at appropriate BFC US lead events.
• Produce and manage annual BFC US Event Activity Plan.
• Conduct research related to film, TV, post/VFX, festivals and markets as well as competitor events and presence to inform on best targets for BFC business and activities and suggest opportunities to strengthen BFC client base.
• Be the US point person for US lead GREAT campaign activities as they relate to BFC in the film & TV industry.
• Identify and hire, as needed and in consultation with EVP, project managers for specific events or      initiatives (i.e. UK Film and TV Week).
• Represent the BFC at North American seminars, panels, festivals, markets and events as required.

Marketing & PR (in liaison with BFC/Film London Comms Team)

• Implement the BFC US’s marketing campaign to promote the UK film and TV industries as a location of excellence for production, post-production, talent, crew, services, facilities and incentives in the US and internationally.
• Coordinate all press, publicity and marketing activity undertaken by the BFC US office in liaison with BFC/FL Communications Department as appropriate. Act as the point person in the US office for the BFC/FL Comms team.
• Advise on US office perspective as it relates to annual comms strategy.
• Supply US office insight into all BFC marketing-related materials including annual rebrand, brochure, magazine, website upgrades, etc.
• Coordinate  with BFC/FL Comms team any messaging as it relates to public affairs and political challenges and how news should be shared with US clients.
• Be the LA office point person for the LA Consulate-General for weekly Heads of Section meeting, quarterly reporting and other general office business.
• Serve as key contact in BFC US office for Department of International Trade (DIT) and their network of US offices in coordinating efforts and advising on participation in film & TV related events.
• Liaise with VisitBritain on a regular basis to coordinate efforts as it relates to big films and TV shows that both entities may be supporting.
• Contribute to BFC industry papers, reports, presentations and other written documents, as needed, especially those with US market focus.

• Senior level experience in entertainment industry in related role in production, development, marketing, business strategy or partnership management
• Solid knowledge of UK and US film production industries
• Solid knowledge of the UK tax system and Cultural Test
• Familiarity with the business of international film & TV tax incentives and  capacity to assess how UK fits into current climate
• Extensive, existing network in Hollywood covering film and TV and relevant support industries
• Effective in overseeing all aspects of client relationships
• Experience managing teams to develop, design and execute on projects and event plans
• History of successfully creating, handling and delivering events budgets
• Marketing experience and familiarity with press/publicity in a business-to-business environment
• Ability to interface effectively with multiple levels of management, ranging from senior executives to government personnel to third party vendors
• Excellent organizational skills with aptitude to manage multiple projects at once, follow through and meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently while at the same time succinctly contribute to multiple teams across various offices
• Exemplary written and oral communication skills
• Proven research experience and skilled in composing both external presentations and internal strategy documents
• Exceptional analytical, critical thinking, and problem solving skills
• Experience in handling confidential and sensitive material and information with discretion
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook 
• Familiarity with database systems and effective implementation for small teams

Under US State Department requirements, the Embassy may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders or A or NATO visa holders with EAD cards*.

If you hold a visa other than an A or NATO visa you are not currently eligible to work at the Embassy.  Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa.  All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance. 

*A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates.  The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defence Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.