EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR — OUTshine Film Festival
Location: Miami / Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Status: Full-Time

About OUTshine
OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival is South Florida’s premier LGBTQ+ cultural arts event and one of the largest LGBTQ+ film festivals in the world. Since 1998, OUTshine has inspired, entertained, and built community through international, diverse, and impactful queer cinema. With TWO annual festivals in Miami and Fort Lauderdale and year-round programming, OUTshine is OUTspoken, OUTrageous, and OUTstanding in all we deliver.

The Opportunity
The Executive Director is the creative, strategic, and community-driven leader of OUTshine. This role is ideal for someone who loves bringing people together, thrives on producing memorable cultural events, and is passionate about the future of LGBTQ+ arts. You’ll drive fundraising, shape the Festival’s vision, strengthen partnerships, grow membership, and elevate OUTshine’s local and global impact.

This is a hands-on, high-visibility role that combines creativity, leadership, and community connection.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy
Lead the long-term strategic vision and annual planning for OUTshine.
Oversee festival operations, grants, programming, events, finances, staffing, and community engagement.
Serve as the public face of OUTshine, building visibility and enthusiasm across South Florida and beyond.

Fundraising & Revenue Growth
Drive all fundraising efforts including sponsorships, major gifts, membership, grants, and special events.
Cultivate and steward donors at all levels; grow corporate relationships and community support.
Manage and expand membership, growing the base.
Develop innovative fundraising initiatives that sustain and expand OUTshine’s mission.

Marketing, Creative & Communications
Guide and collaborate on all marketing and branding initiatives for the festival.
Bring creative vision to campaigns, festival identity, promotional materials, and audience engagement strategies.
Oversee and support social media strategy (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, etc.) to expand visibility and reach new and diverse audiences.
Ensure consistent, compelling communication across email marketing, digital channels, website content, and community outreach.
Build marketing partnerships and in-kind collaborations that amplify the festival’s presence.

Programming & Events
Ensure exceptional year-round programming that is relevant, diverse, and reflective of the LGBTQ+ community by working with the programming team to help achieve your vision.
Oversee festival planning, logistics, hospitality, venues, and audience experience.
Support staff in delivering engaging screenings, social events, forums, and community programs.

Board, Staff & Community Engagement
Work closely with the Board of Directors on governance, strategy, and fundraising.
Lead and support staff, consultants, volunteers, and committees; foster a positive, collaborative culture.
Build partnerships with cultural organizations, universities, businesses, and LGBTQ+ groups.

Financial & Operational Management
Oversee budgeting, financial health, compliance, and reporting.
Manage contracts, vendors, venues, schedules, systems, and organizational policies.
Ensure strong infrastructure, clear workflows, and operational excellence.

Qualifications
5+ years in nonprofit leadership, arts administration, event production, or a related field.
Proven success in fundraising from diverse sources: corporate, individual, membership, and grants.
Exhibit a high-energy profile to the community.
Experience producing large-scale festivals, programs, or public events.
Strong communicator with excellent public speaking and relationship-building skills.
Demonstrated commitment to LGBTQ+ communities.
Ability to manage staff, budgets, and multiple moving parts with focus and creativity.
Knowledge of media arts and film is a plus.

Compensation & Benefits
Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits include paid vacation and sick time.

TO APPLY: Email Mark Gilbert with your resume and cover letter. markyg@outshinefilm.com

Priority will be given to local candidates or those willing to relocate, however we will take into consideration qualified candidates for remote work with travel for the festival and other times as needed.