Job Description

Director, Digital, Film and Media
aims to inspire everyone who attends our campus - artists, leaders, and thinkers - to unleash their creative potential.
We acknowledge, with deep respect and gratitude, our home on the side of Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain. In the spirit of respect and truth, we honour and acknowledge the Banff area, known as "Minhrpa" (translated in Stoney Nakoda as "the waterfalls") and the Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Iyarhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda) - comprised of the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney Nations - as well as the Tsuut'ina First Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Shuswap Nations, Ktunaxa Nations, and Metis Nation of Alberta, Rockyview District 4. We acknowledge all Nations who live, work, and play, help us steward this land, and honour and celebrate this place.
The Opportunity
The Director, Digital, Film and Media is responsible for revitalizing the Centre's presence as a global leader in digital and media arts. This includes overseeing multiple departments, media production services, and professional training programs, all while driving innovation and sustainability aligned with Banff Centre's strategic vision. The role involves developing strategic programming and cultivating key partnerships across the creative and digital sectors.
To achieve these goals, the Director will engage in research and consultation with creative sector stakeholders and build a robust network of national and international collaborators. They will work alongside the Development department to secure sponsorships and industry partnerships that support the Centre's technological infrastructure. The Director will also represent Banff Centre in the broader arts, technology, education, and funding communities. National and International travel will be required to establish Banff Centre as a brand leader in the digital space and to build a peer network of stakeholders who will be invested in Banff Centre's digital objectives.
Roles and Responsibilities
Reporting to Executive Director, Arts and working closely with the President and CEO, below are some key accountabilities:
Strategy and Business Plan

• Responsible for developing the strategic framework and accompanying business plan to rebuild digital programming and production including the upgrade to current infrastructure to state-of-the-art facilities.
• Develops sustainable long-term and annual resources to support the successful implementation of the Digital, Film and Media Strategy.
• Creates the technology, infrastructure, and capital equipment plan and production pipeline to ensure effective support of digital objectives.
• Develops and implements a growth plan ensuring technical and human resources capacity is commensurate with planning and delivery requirements.

Post Secondary - Digital, Film and Media Arts Programming

• Develops industry-leading arts discipline-based digital media programs and residencies for both creation and practical training in keeping with Banff Centre's remit as a post-secondary institution.
• Recruits' faculty at the forefront of their fields to develop pedagogy and program content.
• Collaborates with Arts and Leadership Department Directors to develop and support the integration of digital initiatives and training programs within program design and delivery across disciplines.
• Ensures training objectives are met, evaluates and evolves in response to program evaluation feedback.

Mountain Culture

• The Digital, Film and Media Department team support a wide range of production requirements for the preparation, screening, promotion and World Tour needs.
• The Director will collaborate closely with the Director Mountain Culture and her team to provide guidance, production and festival delivery support.

Media Arts Production

• Responsible for developing, managing and maintaining production/technical support areas for Media Arts Production, including budget management and scheduling.
• Builds, leads and maintains a team of highly motivated, knowledgeable and accountable personnel capable of meeting superior standards in program support and delivery.
• Oversees and directs production support to Arts and Leadership programs within a balanced framework that also supports audio visual and technical support requirements of all campus departments.

Financial Management

• Develops business plan for the new Digital, Film and Media strategy.
• Provides on-going financial analysis, control and forecasting, quarterly reviews for departmental areas.
• Leads the budget preparation and management process, including the annual staffing and budget plans and develops and maintains the annual operating budget for all areas within the department's portfolio.
• Responsible for revenue generating activities across revenue areas.

Stakeholder Relationship Building

• Initiates and coordinates appropriate joint ventures with foundations, corporate sponsors, government agencies, institutional partners, industry entities, and others.
• Establishes and maintains effective contacts within relevant industries, public sector, organizations, governments, and educational institutions regionally, nationally, and internationally.
• Represents Banff Centre externally to identify and build strategic partnerships in the Canadian and international arena within allocated budget.

Marketing and Content Creation

• Develops with Executive Director, Marketing and Communications a content strategy from planning to content capture to dissemination and archive of campus activities.
• Develops workflows between marketing and production detailing cross functional responsibility for content creation.

Human Resources

• Works closely with the Human Resources team in all aspects of human resource management including hiring, training, payroll, discipline (up to an including termination) to ensure policies, procedures, contractual, legislative and work culture expectations are met.

Qualifications and Educational Requirements

• 10+ years of senior leadership experience in digital media, film, or related creative industries.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning and implementing large-scale initiatives in digital/film/media.
• Proven track record in building partnerships with arts, government, education, and industry stakeholders at a national and international level.
• Experience overseeing media arts production teams (archival, content generation, film/digital production).
• Background in post-secondary or professional training program development (curriculum, residencies, workshops).
• Strong financial management experience, including budgeting, forecasting, revenue generation, and sponsorship cultivation.
• Experience working with funders, donors, sponsors, and grant agencies to secure financial and in-kind support.
• International experience in cultural institutions, media organizations, or arts leadership roles is highly desirable.
• Deep understanding of emerging technologies (digital media, film, VR/AR/XR, AI applications in media, digital literacy).
• Awareness of cultural, technological, and economic trends impacting the creative sector.
• Familiarity with festival production and international touring events (e.g., film festivals).
• Understanding of unionized environments and human resource practices.

Employment Terms and

• In accordance with the terms of employment governing Management/PSP employees, this is a salaried, fulltime position, subject to a 6-month probationary period.
• The salary range for this position is $98,947 - $146,940 based on experience.
• The successful candidate will enjoy twenty paid vacation days and four personal days annually, extended medical and dental benefits, and participation in an employer-matched pension plan.
• Benefits of working at Banff Centre are:

• Transitional staff housing options (based on availability)
• Professional development
• Employee Assistance Program
• Health care spending account
• Staff cafeteria and restaurant discounts
• Onsite fitness facility at a discounted rate - first month free for new staff!

Application Process

• We are accepting applications for the Director, Digital, Film and Media until 11:59pm MST on November 2, 2025.
• Candidates offered a position with Banff Centre, in this capacity, will be required to obtain a criminal record check verifying a clear record.
• Visa Requirements: Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada. Banff Centre is unable to assist candidates in obtaining Canadian work authorization.

Skills Required