Film Coordinator

Seattleartmuseum; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Fitness facility access

Employee assistance program (EAP)

SAM Shop discounts

Market access perks

SAM 403b retirement plan

Job summary

Seattle Art Museum seeks a Film Coordinator to plan, execute, and technically manage SAM’s year-round film programming across Downtown and the Asian Art Museum. You will oversee rehearsals, coordinate logistics for projectionists and AV staff, and ensure high-quality screenings.

Reporting to the Chief of Creative Strategy and Storytelling, you will troubleshoot issues, maintain records, and support guest artists and external partners in a dynamic, hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of film exhibition formats and presentation standards.
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills; able to work with curators, filmmakers, and guest presenters.
• Ability to establish and achieve goals.
• Demonstrated extreme accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong writing skills for correspondence, reporting, and other documents.
• Ability to handle multiple demands in high-pressure, public presentation situations.
• Experience with exhibition practice, customer relations, and event management.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and workload priorities.
• Leadership abilities and ability to train Work Study students.

Responsibilities

• Manages all technical rehearsals and public programs.
• Serves as Program Manager for film events.
• Convenes technical production meetings with curators and A/V staff; prepares and distributes technical documentation for each program season.
• Schedules rehearsals and shares accurate technical information internally and with partners.
• Works with AV team to ensure optimal sound and image quality; communicates adjustments to projection staff.
• Resolves technical issues with digital formats, DCPs, or archival prints via distributors or alternate materials.
• Examines incoming film materials for print condition and discrepancies; coordinates inspections by projectionists.
• Oversees special technical projects, including electronic titling and translations.
• Provides occasional film introductions when guests are unavailable.

Skills

Film formats knowledge

Public speaking

Goal setting

Attention to detail

Writing skills

Multitasking under pressure

Event management

Leadership of students

Word/Excel/FileMaker Pro

Tools

Word

Excel

FileMaker Pro

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Film Coordinator plays a key role in the planning, execution, and technical management of SAM’s year-round film exhibition program. This position oversees technical rehearsals, coordinates film and digital media logistics, manages guest artist support, and ensures the highest quality presentation of films in both the Downtown and Asian Art Museum locations.

Reporting to the Chief of Creative Strategy and Storytellling, the Film Coordinator also serves as a primary point of contact for logistics for projectionists, A/V staff, curators, and external partners, troubleshooting technical issues, maintaining accurate records, and coordinating complex shipping and archival processes.

This role requires a combination of technical expertise, organizational skill, and interpersonal dexterity, with the ability to manage multiple projects, maintain attention to detail, and provide a professional experience for all audiences.

ABOUT SAM

As SAM heads into its second century, we are boldly reimagining what we can and should be. Our goal is to be a model for the future of museums - a bold, dynamic hub of creativity, belonging, and cultural leadership, shaping the future of art and community. Embracing new ways of engaging communities and seeking innovative partnerships - all while keeping art and community at the center of what we do. This ambitious effort represents a transformative shift and radically redefining how art museums operate. This is a pivotal moment for SAM, and we are seeking great talent to join us on our journey. Working at SAM is not just a job—it's a chance to be part of a vibrant, creative community.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages all technical rehearsals and public programs
• Serves as Program Manager for film events
• Convenes technical production meetings with curators and A/V staff; prepares and distributes technical documentation for each program season
• Schedules all rehearsals and ensures accurate and current technical information is shared internally and with external partners
• Works with AV team often, ensures optimal sound and image quality in screenings; communicates adjustments to projection staff
• Resolves technical issues with digital formats, DCPs, or archival prints by liaising with distributors or securing alternate materials
• Examines incoming film materials for print condition, format, and discrepancies; requests and tracks full inspections by projectionists
• Oversees special technical projects, including electronic titling and translations
• Provides occasional film introductions in the absence of guests/leads/curators

WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Required Qualifications

• Knowledge of film exhibition formats and/or experience handling film; and a strong understanding of the technical presentation standards of cinema
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills; able to work effectively with curators, filmmakers, and other guest presenters
• Ability to establish and achieve goals
• Demonstrated extreme accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong and effective writing skills needed to prepare a variety of correspondence, reporting, and other documents
• Ability to deal with multiple demands in high-pressure, public presentation situations, thinking quickly and effectively to problem solve and create and implement solutions
• Working knowledge of exhibition practice, customer and client relations, and event management
• Ability to work on multiple projects with competing deadlines and to establish goals and workload priorities
• Leadership abilities and able to inspire Work Study students through training and effective management oversight
• Proficient computer skills, including facility with using Word, Excel, and FileMaker Pro
• Initiative and ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 65 lb
• Technical understanding of film exhibition formats
• Applicants for this position are expected to possess the skills, knowledge, and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned

FLSA Status: Part Time, Non-Exempt

Reports To: Chief of Creative Strategy and Storytelling

Work Location: Seattle Art Museum Downtown, Seattle Asian Art Museum Volunteer Park, and Olympic Sculpture Park

Work Schedule: Average of 20 hours per week. Hybrid role with both remote and in-office time.

WORK CONDITIONS

• Work areas are primarily inside, in a climate-controlled environment with light background noise. Work is occasionally performed at other indoor and outdoor sites.
• Approximately 80% of time is spent stationary while working at a desk. Balance of time (approximately 20%) is spent moving around the work area.
• Occasional extended periods of standing may be required when assisting at Museum events.
• Clear and effective communication with volunteers, donors, members, the public, and co-workers is necessary.
• Corrected vision close to 20/20 is necessary to effectively use the computer screens.
• The ability to move up to twenty pounds on occasion is necessary for moving files, equipment, and supplies. Must be able to regularly position self to access files.
• Ability to effectively and regularly operate a computer, keyboard, and other office productivity machinery, such as copy machines and printers, and ability to inspect, prepare and use paperwork, files, equipment, and supplies is necessary.

BENEFITS

• As a non-exempt employee at SAM, you will be eligible for paid sick time accrued at a rate of0.0385per hour worked, and fringe benefits including access to fitness facility, access to our Employee Assistance Fund (EAP), Tier III AAM membership, discounts for SAM Shop, and MARKET, access to member rates for ticketed events at SAM, and participation in SAM’s 403b retirement plan.
• Following 1 year of service and 1,000 hours worked, SAM makes a discretionary 3% employer contribution regardless of participation and provides an employer match program.
• Historically, this contribution has been made annually.
• Additional benefits include paid time off for vacation, paid sick and safe time, bereavement leave, and jury duty, 11 scheduled holidays, 1 paid floating holiday, a subsidized unlimited Orca card.

ACCOMODATION

The Seattle Art Museum will consider reasonable accommodations for all employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions/duties of this position. If you need an accommodation during the application or interview process, please [e-mail]. For candidates, we ask that, if possible, you wait until you're invited to a screen, online technical assessment or interview before requesting an accommodation.

SAM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming workplace for all employees and volunteers. Guided by our mission to connect art to life and engage diverse communities, we strive to create a sense of belonging for all of the communities we serve. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, military status, or any other protected characteristic

Not sure you check every box? Research shows that candidates from underrepresented backgrounds often only apply if they meet 100% of the criteria. If you believe you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply!