Director of BFI Filmmaking Funds

Role Purpose

TheDirector of BFI National Lottery Filmmaking Funds leads the BFl's mission to build a culturally vibrant and economically sustainable, independent screen sector in the UK through its roles as a National Lottery funding distributor, and as the government's lead body for film.

This senior role provides strategic and creative leadership for the BFl's distribution of £20 million per annum of National Lottery funding to filmmaking and talent development, ensuring that public resources are deployed with vision, rigour, and impact.

The incoming Director will be key to ensuring the BFI offers a bold and confident response to the seismic changes taking place across the film and screen landscape and appropriately meets the needs of the sector. This will include developing the vision and strategic direction of the BFI Filmmaking Funds and contributing to the design of the National Lottery Funding Plan 2029-2033, part of the BFl's 10-year strategy Screen Culture 2033.

To support the BFl's effectiveness as the lead body for film and the moving image, the Director will take a leadership role with UK and international industry partners and internal stakeholders to identify interventions that strengthen the UK independent film ecosystem. While the primary focus is filmmaking (short form, live-action, animation and documentary), the Director will need to further consider BFI support for immersive and emerging storytelling forms.

We are seeking a bold, influential leader with abroad outlook and strong connections across UK and international filmmaking communities. A leader with the vision to consider how BFI Filmmaking Funds can support filmmaking and encourage bold storytelling across new platforms, with a focus on connecting to new and underserved audiences. A leader who has a deep commitment to inclusion, increasing representation and partnership working, and proven experience of leading creative teams.

KeyResponsibilities

Leadership of the BFI Filmmaking Fund with clarity and vision as a vital champion of UK independent filmmaking. Leading BFINational Lottery investment in film development and production; guiding UK-wide talent and project development programmes through the BFI NETWORK and the Creative Challenge Fund; and management of funded partners, including the BFI Doc Society Fund, to ensure high-quality delivery of activity and measurable outcomes.

Strategic development of BFI National Lottery funding reflecting shifts in content creation and distribution, in anticipation of the final four-year National Lottery Funding Plan, which will be published in autumn 2028.

Sector leadership. Lead the BFl's engagement with the independent filmmaking community, fellow public funders, screen agencies, trade bodies and other key strategic partners to consider interventions that improve the cultural and economic health of the independent sector, working closely with the BFI Policy team and relevant internal teams and government departments.

Engage with and support abroad range of filmmaking genres, including animation and short film, as well as documentary, immersive and emerging storytelling forms.

Leadership and motivation of a high-performing, public-facing and accessible team. Inspiring, championing, and constructively challenging them, and providing strong leadership on inclusion.

Internal collaboration.Working closely with teams across the BFI, including Policy, Research, Audiences, Skills,Inclusion, Communications and Operations, as well as BFI Public Programme and the BFI National Archive.

Oversee essential improvements to the user journey and experience of applicants to BFINationalLottery Filmmaking Funds, working closely with the Operations and Digital teams.

Be an ambassador for theBFI and a champion of the independent filmmaking sector at BFI events and across external industry and government forums, both nationally and internationally, driving partnerships and collaboration.

Embed diversity, inclusion and environmental responsibility across all funding programmes.

Data-informed decision-making .Using KPls and risk management to inform planning and decision-making.

Business management. Managing budgets, business planning and performance targets for the team.

LineManagement&TeamLeadership

Be committed to following BFl's Line Manager Principles, which are built upon our Culture Drivers.

Provide clear people management by setting objectives, offering ongoing guidance, supporting colleagues, and actively fostering a collaborative working environment.

Apply BFl's inclusion toolkit to the team's ways of working and create healthy and safe environments where wellbeing is at the heart of our work.

Empower your team to learn and grow by identifying learning needs, enabling access to stretch opportunities, and providing regular feedback to drive performance accountability and career growth.

Oversee departmental work streams, seeking out evidence to support strategic decision-making, identify risks early, and ensure effective delivery plans. Ensure programmes of work are outcome-driven and have measurable organisational value.

Shape and embed a positive team culture that reflects the BFl's values and cultural drivers, promoting accountability, shared purpose, and high performance.

PersonSpecification-EssentialSkills&Experience

• Significant experience in film, TV or another relevant creative field, with a strong understanding of public funding, financing, development, production and the current screen policy landscape.
• Deep knowledge of UK and international cinema, audiences, sales and distribution.
• Established networks across the full value chain of independent filmmaking, emerging storytelling in the UK and internationally.
• Excellent track record in managing high-performing and diverse, multi-skilled teams.
• Strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as the professional development of a team.
• Strong track record of shaping innovative strategy and delivering against outcomes.
• Strong public service values, a nuanced understanding of cultural impact, and a commitment to widening access to the creative industries.
• Strong diplomatic skills, with the ability to build consensus and effective partnerships.
• Resilience and the ability to take difficult decisions and communicate them sensitively.
• A confident public speaker, with broadcast media experience