Senior Manager, Festival Programming

TIFF; Toronto; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

TIFF is seeking a Senior Manager of Festival Programming to oversee the festival schedule and manage staff. This role involves collaboration with stakeholders, overseeing film submissions and selections, and ensuring a smooth festival experience. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in film programming and strong leadership skills.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in film festival programming or arts administration required.
• Experience managing staff and leading projects effectively.
• Knowledge of contemporary film and world cinema is a must.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Festival schedule process and oversee preview screenings.
• Manage the Festival Programming staff and contractors.
• Act as primary point of contact for film distributors.

Skills

Organizational skills

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving attitude

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

Google Suite

Artifax

Job description

SENIOR MANAGER, FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING

Permanent

Full-time

Festival Programming

TIFF is a charitable, cultural organization dedicated to presenting the best of international and Canadian cinema and creating transformational experiences for film lovers and creators of all ages and backgrounds in our home - TIFF Lightbox. Our mission: To transform the way people see the world, through film.

TIFF is committed to embracing diversity and treating all individuals with respect, dignity and fairness by removing physical, social and economic barriers to participation.

We encourage you to reflect on the land that you are on, who the traditional keepers of the land are, what the treaty relationship is, or if it’s unceded territory. TIFF is located on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, the Wendat, and the Haudenosaunee. We are grateful to work on this land.

We are currently hiring for the position of:

SENIOR MANAGER, FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING

Reporting to the Senior Director, Festival Programming, k ey responsibilities include leading the Festival schedule process, and overseeing the preview screenings schedule and festival film tracking. This position will manage full time and seasonal Festival Programming staff and independent contractors. Note: This position does not include any regional or section programming for the festival.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the Festival Schedule process including two scheduling weekends, schedule letter outreach, stakeholder negotiations, schedule board conflict check, data entry, proofing, and screening schedule notification letter processes

• Consult with Operations team on Festival Schedule build and venue constraints

• Liaise with external film stakeholders and Festival programmers re: film submissions, selection status, negotiations, and schedule

• Oversee film tracking including: researching films and directing data entry, liaising with programmers and programming associates throughout the film selection process, and managing the regular cadence of invitations

• Oversee Festival preview screening schedule, including prioritizing and assigning individuals/committees to preview screenings

• Manage the film selection (i.e. Programming List) and invitation process for the Festival, including invitation sign-off

• Act as primary point of contact for Canadian film distributors

• Screen films as part of different selection committees when relevant

• Hire, onboard, train and supervise applicable staff and contractors including recruiting, goal setting, and coaching

• Attend meetings and events with the Director of Programming, TIFF’s CPO, and other Festival Programming staff and internal or external stakeholders as required

• Lead or participate in orientation/training sessions, as required

• Supports the planning of Canada’s Top Ten screenings, scheduling and events by working with lead Canadian programmer

• Other related duties as required and assigned

JOB GRADE & SALARY:

• Job Grade: 4

• Job Grade Salary Range: $65,000 - $99,000

TARGET CONTRACT DATES:

• Start date: Aug 11, 2025

WORK LOCATION:

• Office Location: 350 King Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 3X5

• Weekly in-office requirements:

  • Minimum 2 days (1st November – 30th April)

  • Minimum 3 days (1st May – 31st October)

• Festival Office Requirements: Full Time during Festival

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Education & Experience

  • 5+ years experience in film festival programming and/or adjacent arts and culture administration

  • Experience managing staff and ability to lead and give direction effectively

  • Experience with large-scale event scheduling

  • Knowledge of contemporary film, world cinema and related industries

• Skill

  • Strong organizational and project management skills with extreme attention to detail, timelines and objectives and ability to prioritize

  • Mature personal judgment, exhibiting a high level of professionalism and diplomacy

  • Able to handle difficult situations and people with a positive, problem-solving attitude

  • Excellent interpersonal, public relations and communication skills

  • Familiarity with Google Suite; experience with Artifax considered an asset

  • Ability to work independently and in a team environment in fast-paced, high pressure environments

• Adaptable to a flexible work schedule including some evenings and weekends

• This position requires being in office on a regular basis.

HOW TO SUBMIT & APPLICATION DEADLINE:

• All applications must be submitted online through TIFF’s Career Centre .

• Please upload your cover letter and resumé as PDF(s), before the deadline of Monday June 30th, 2025.

CLOSING:

We thank everyone who applies for their interest, but only candidates selected for an interview are contacted.

Candidates must be legally able to work in Canada at this time. TIFF regrets that it is unable to sponsor employmentVisas; however, TIFF considers and welcomes individuals on time-limitedVisastatus for this position. For consideration to those on time-limitedVisastatus, yourVisamust allow you to complete the full contract.

Please send any questions via e-mail only to [e-mail] .

TIFF is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment where employees feel valued and respected, and where every employee has the opportunity to realize their potential. As such, we welcome and encourage applicants who identify as racialized persons, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons across the spectrum of sexual orientation and gender identities.

If you are a person with a disability and require accommodation and/or assistance during the application process, please contact us in advance at [e-mail] . We strive to provide reasonable accommodations whenever requested.