Chief Executive Officer

The Organization

The Edmonton Screen Industries Office (“ESIO”) was established in 2017 following extensive industry stakeholder consultations, out of which came the decision to replace the former Film Commission with a new non-profit society governed by an independent board of business and community leaders. The organization is dedicated to the growth and sustainability of Edmonton screen media inclusive of film, television and interactive digital media.

ESIO’s purpose is “to be a daring partner that champions creativity, powers the success of our screen industries, and drives pride in a radiant city.” We act as a catalyst to cultivate, activate and strengthen the screen industries sector in the Edmonton region and support opportunities for creative enterprises to develop, grow and succeed. Production in Edmonton’s screen industries contributes over $23 million to our economy and the ESIO’s bold aspiration is to grow that to $300 million.

For more information on ESIO, please visit their website.

The Role

The Board is seeking a creative, innovative, dynamic leader who is excited to be part of

developing a major economic driver for the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. Edmonton is home to a growing community of creative and talented people, people who are creating films and documentaries, dreaming up the next amazing game, using augmented and virtual reality to create new experiences and successful commercial ventures.

The successful candidate will have exemplary leadership abilities, will be a visionary and a builder. The CEO will oversee all operations, administration, advocacy, public relations, funding, board governance and programming. Most importantly, the CEO will have the opportunity to work with some of the most creative thinkers, designers and entrepreneurs in our community and to find ways to grow that sector to the next level.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Provide insights, advice and guidance to the Board of Directors in assessing the effectiveness of ESIO’s strategy and recommending adjustments and new approaches to achieve its purpose
• Collaborate with local stakeholders and industry to identify the needs and solutions to support the development, growth and sustainability of entrepreneurs, professionals and talent in the Edmonton Metro screen industries
• Develop, implement and oversee the delivery of programs and investments that build capacity, promote and enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of Edmonton’s screen industries
• Ensure that the organization is measurably effective and accountable

Advocacy and Community Relations:

• Actively promote Edmonton’s screen industries and the ESIO through regular connections, speaking opportunities and marketing initiatives
• Play a strong leadership role in the Edmonton community and in the province, elevating awareness of and expanding support for Edmonton’s screen industries as a driving force for future economic growth
• Communicate with industry stakeholders to expand awareness of the purpose and vision of ESIO
• Serve as a connection point for the screen industries, enabling stakeholders to access the right people to grow their products and encouraging cross-platform collaborations
• Build collaborative relationships across the industry, establishing positive relationships with industry partners, funders, community and political leaders as well as other key industry leaders to ensure the successful realization of the organization’s goals
• Propose and advocate for relevant financial support and government programs that have the potential to foster growth of screen industries in Edmonton and Alberta

ESIO Leadership and Management:

• Assess trends and specific needs of Edmonton’s screen industries and develop appropriate programs to address those needs and provide a stimulus for growth of the industry
• Create operational plans aligned with ESIO’s strategic plan, set targets and performance measures and evaluation methodologies to assess and report on program results
• Lead, motivate, mentor and coach a “small but mighty” ESIO staff team
• Create and maintain a positive and respectful culture for members of the team and stakeholders
• Set the tone and ensure that the highest standards of ethical conduct, compliance and conflict of interest are consistently met

Financial Management:

• Work with the Board of Directors to develop an annual business plan and budget and secure adequate funding for the continued operation of the organization
• Ensure financial policies, procedures, and internal controls are established and adhered to, leading to a favorable opinion in the annual financial audit.
• Develop and implement strategies for ensuring the longer-term sustainability of the ESIO

The Candidate

The CEO will be passionately committed to ESIO’s mission and vision and will have the ability to successfully develop and operationalize the organization’s strategic priorities. Strong candidates will have an understanding/exposure to some (or all) sectors of the industry (TV, film, interactive digital media, gaming) and have a passion for its growth potential as a major economic driver.

Core Competencies

The following experience and skills are desired for the role:

• Strong business savvy and understanding of an entrepreneurial mindset
• Strong ability to present, connect, advocate and inspire confidence in a variety of key audiences critical to ESIO and the screen industry’s future
• Previous experience and success working with a Board of Directors
• University degree and/or equivalent combination of education, training and relevant experience to lead the ESIO
• Proven track record developing and implementing strategies to create, lead and/or significantly grow an organization
• Demonstrated successful track record leading and executing entrepreneurial, innovative and creative initiatives
• Familiarity with budgets, balance sheets and financial and other tools to monitor the ongoing performance of the organization
• Relevant business experience in the screen or related industries (e.g. TV, Film, Intellectual Property, Interactive Digital Media, Augmented/Virtual Reality, Gaming) including knowledge of industry trends and development opportunities is valuable but not essential for the role
• Ability to travel provincially, nationally and internationally to promote Edmonton’s screen industries

Personal Characteristics

• Inspiring: Through your words and actions, you consistently communicate a compelling vision and can inspire others to perform their best, bridge territories, unify agendas and embrace change. Your passion and drive for success inspire others who work for and with you to go beyond “good enough”.
• Communicative and Innovative: You enjoy bringing innovation and creative thinking to every problem, and you communicate your ideas persuasively and confidently to capture the imagination of the ESIO team and stakeholders. You cherish honesty and transparency and, at the same time, respect the need for confidentiality when interacting with staff, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Strategy, Foresight and Managing Competing Priorities: You have a keen ability to understand, plan and adapt to change. Challenges invigorate you and you would love to be part of a growing, agile organization.
• Results-Oriented: As CEO, you establish goals that are relevant, realistic and attainable; identify and implement required plans and milestones to achieve specific business goals; stay on target to complete goals in the face of obstacles or adverse circumstances.
• Savvy: You know how to maneuver to get things done, and you know where to go to get what you need. You are politically aware and agile. You have a strong sense of what is right, and you can convey your viewpoint to different types of people without ruffling feathers.
• Creative/Innovative Visionary: You are an effective strategist full of ideas and possibilities. You add your personal wisdom and experience to come to the best solutions. You can both create and bring exciting ideas to market and most importantly, you are comfortable considering alternative futures without having all the data at your fingertips.
• Relationship-Oriented: As CEO, you will negotiate skillfully to achieve a fair outcome. You are authentic, easy to approach and interpersonally agile; an active listener, respectful of team members’ and others’ ideas and perspectives; quick to find common ground and able to build diverse networks; able to recognize the importance of treating everyone as a preferred customer; comfortable confronting and working through conflict.
• Respectful of diversity: You understand and respect the diversity of our staff, the community and the many voices and perspectives of those involved in the screen media industry. You find ways to ensure that diversity is reflected and respected in everything the ESIO does.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The ESIO is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse team benefits and is essential to service excellence. If you require any specific accommodations that will allow you to be successful in this process, please make Mullen and ESIO aware at the time of your application. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions

If this opportunity excites you, please send a resume and cover letter to [email protected] with the job title and organization name in the subject line of your email.