Marketing & Communications Manager

Position : Marketing & Communications Manager (contract position)
Reports to : Executive Director

Duration : May 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025 (Term contract, possibility of renewal)

Hours : Total = 1100 hours (estimated)

May - August (part-time)

September - December (full-time, 40 hours/week)

January-March  (part-time) 

Start : On or about May 1, 2024 

Compensation : Commensurate with experience

Location : WFF Office (Whistler) - 208-1200 Alpha Lake Road, Whistler, BC V8E 0H6
* Remote work is possible

Deadline to apply : 5:00pm PT, Thursday, April 25, 2024.

To apply : Please submit a resumé and cover letter in one PDF explaining why you think you are the right person to be our Marketing and Communications Manager via the button below

If you are experiencing technical difficulties, please email: 

The Whistler Film Festival Society (WFFS) is accepting applications for the position of Marketing and Communication Manager. While this is a flexible role, the candidate must be available to work full-time for the organization between September and January. Priority given to candidates living in Whistler or the Sea to Sky corridor. Must be eligible to work in Canada.

Organization Description

Renowned as ‘Canada’s coolest film festival’, the Whistler Film Festival Society (WFFS) is a charitable, non-profit organization that  fulfills its mission through producing:

• A highly respected and recognized international film festival (WFF) and industry summit that draw industry, audiences and global exposure for Canadian talent;
• A slate of 13 talent programs for over 80 Canadian artists - screenwriters, producers, directors, actors and musicians - with plans to expand and enhance programming; 
• Supplemental year-round film and event programming that enriches community life beyond the festival; and
• Film and talent programming that nurtures gender parity, inclusivity and diversity.

The Whistler Film Festival (WFF) has become one of Canadian film industry’s liveliest gatherings, recognized as one? of the top seven film festivals in the world to attend’ and ‘one of ten of the most amazing film festivals worth attending’ in North America. It is one of Whistler’s signature cultural events.

2024 marks the 24th year of operation for the organization, with the Whistler Film Festival + Content Summit taking place December 4-8, in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. 

Job Description

Reporting to the Executive Manager and supported by a Marketing & Communications Coordinator the Marketing & Communications Manager will assume marketing and communications responsibilities for WFFS programs including the Whistler Film Festival, Content Summit, Talent Programs and WFF365 programming to ensure maximum reach and discoverability to meet revenue and attendance targets.  

Key responsibilities include:

(a)  Marketing :

• Create and maintain marketing communications plans and campaigns including brand, strategy and discoverability plan, budget and materials for programming 
• Manage content (videos, photos and stories) for internal and external marketing channels and publicity
• Work with production designer/agency as required to ensure all advertising and collateral is consistent with brand and campaign creative standards
• Coordinate media buys and ad placements 
• Production coordination of collateral including the Festival Program and Content Summit Schedule including content collection, copywriting, editing, proofing and working the Festival team and designer
• Maintain and update website content including content, layout and technical requirements 
• Coordinate production and distribution of all print materials
• Provide direction and manage photographers and WFF Live video crew as required leading up to and during festival.
• Track and archive hard copies of original advertising and collateral pieces for reports
• Organize and maintain databases
• Complete marketing report and statistics for final reporting.

(b)  Asset Management :

• Manage website and bi-monthly newsletters based on approved schedule 
• Manage and support publicity plan and team as required
• Manage social media channels including Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube - with up to 5 posts per channel per week pre-fest and more as required during the festival as per the schedule
• Manage photo and video  library and create a master library of WFF best’s assets for use to ensure assets are labeled and organized post-festival 

(c)  Outreach & Promotion :

• Create and maintain Social Media strategy and campaign through WFF’s dedicated channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram etc) and Google Ad Words account
• Update program and event listings on dedicated websites and publications
• Coordinate outreach campaigns with community/industry groups to promote programs
• Disseminate program information to members, arts community, and public as required
• Promote Alumni activities through WFF communications channels

(d)  Publicity :

• Support Publicity team 
• Coordinate and distribute media releases and PSAs on schedule as required
• Develop relationships with local, regional, national and industry media
• Coordinate media coverage/clippings a regular basis as required

(e)  Partner Support :

• Manage logos, and sponsor and advertising artwork collection for all programs

(f)      Systems :

• Maintain marketing systems 
• Support the set up of the Eventival management system and Eventive box office systems with marketing assets

(f)      General Duties

• Create and regularly revise a timeline/critical path required to carry out the marketing communications work of the organization and to fulfill milestones set out in this schedule
• Work with the allocated budgets, and maintain detailed records costs
• Attend and provide status and budget reports at staff meetings
• Keep accurate and easily accessible records of all the work in order to ensure organizational continuity
• Attend events, meetings and festival as required
• Conduct follow-up post Festival with all suppliers
• Attend a Festival post mortem meeting 
• Assist with completing Festival Reports
• Assist with post festival research survey and report
• Provide a post festival position report 
• Other duties as required
  

Qualifications : 

• Post secondary degree in marketing, communications, film or a related field in progress 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strategic thinker with superior attention to detail 
• Strong project management skills. 
• Ability to prioritize tasks to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment 
• Computer literacy and database management experience essential (Internet research skills, Microsoft Office, database applications, social media platforms, Adobe Photoshop) 
• Strong interpersonal communications skills, sound judgment and discretion, tact and diplomacy 
• Keen interest in working in a team environment, and provide support to co-workers when needed 
• Ability to work well individually and function effectively under pressure
• Fluency in at least one language beyond English considered an asset 
• Knowledge of television and related content industries considered an asset 
• Adaptable to a flexible work schedule including some evenings and weekends, particularly in the lead up to and during the festival.
• Some travel may be required 
• Valid driver's license

We invite qualified candidates to apply by the deadline: 5:00pm PT, Thursday, April 25, 2024

We thank everyone who applies for their interest, but only candidates selected for an interview are contacted. All applications are considered confidential. The Whistler Film Festival Society is an equal opportunity employer, and operates a safe and healthy work environment consistent with Provincial and Federal regulations and the WCB.

WFFS values diversity and encourages applications from members of groups that are historically underrepresented including: Women, Indigenous, Black and people of Colour; people identifying as LGBTQ2AI+ and/or non-binary; people living with disabilities; and members of other equity seeking groups. WFFS encourage applicants to self-identify if they wish to do so during the application process.

The Whistler Film Festival Society is located on the traditional unceded territories of the Skwxwu´7mesh (Squamish) Nation and Lil?wat7úl (Lil’wat) Nation.