- Job Requirements: Must be local to location (or willing to work as a local).
Organization Description
Do No Harm Media (DNHM) is a new media production company that lifts the veil on the end-of-life experience. Founded by ICU/Palliative care doctor Jessica Zitter, its mission is to ignite a global movement that restores humanity to the experience of dying. DHNM is an umbrella organization with two arms: producing documentary media and creating impact activities around these media (including presentations and curricula). DNHM’s target audiences include both the general public and healthcare providers, with an emphasis on specialty physicians in acute healthcare settings.
DNHM was created to leverage Dr. Zitter’s expertise, access, and resources to further her mission of effecting more patient-centered end-of-life care. DNHM’s films and media will explore a variety of topics in this space, including spirituality, racial inequities, death education, medical culture, physician perceptions, decision-making in medically intense environments, and other subjects relevant to caring for patients with serious illness.
DNHM makes use of Dr. Zitter’s visibility, prior accomplishments, and fund-raising success, including:
Featured physician in Extremis, a short documentary streaming on Netflix that garnered both Oscar and Emmy nominations
Executive producer and director for the award-winning short documentary Caregiver: A Love Story
Regular contributor to the New York Times and other major media and frequent podcast guest on end-of-life issues
Author of Extreme Measures: Finding a Better Path to the End of Life, reviewed in the New York Times Review of Books
Keynote speaker at the nation’s largest medical conferences and most prestigious medical centers
Six-figure fund-raiser from foundations, individuals, and health systems
Position Overview
The primary responsibility of the Executive Director (ED) is to develop and manage a media business that aims to improve the experience of dying in America by showing people what goes on at the bedside and in the homes of seriously ill and end-of-life patients. Primary activities will involve collaborating on development, assembling teams for production, and coordinating distribution of documentary films and their associated curricula where relevant. The ED will be responsible for determining the business model for the organization and managing all operations. They will not be involved in the day-to-day filmmaking or creation of curricula, but rather be the strategic and operational force behind all activities. The ED will be responsible for fund-raising and will work closely with Dr. Zitter in soliciting foundations and philanthropists. They will be responsible for developing and managing DNHM’s budget, including both earned and contributed income. They will be responsible for managing the staff, which currently includes an administrative assistant, special projects coordinator, bookkeeper, and IT manager.
This is a unique experience to lead a mission-driven organization and work with an internationally renowned expert to impact end-of-life care for millions worldwide. The role requires strong leadership, interpersonal communications, and organizational skills. The ED must be entrepreneurial with excellent business sense and the ability to learn quickly. They must have deep experience in the documentary field and a broad contact network within it. This full-time, salaried position reports to the Board Chair. The job may be performed remotely, may be located anywhere within the U.S., and requires moderate domestic travel.
Position Responsibilities
Executive Activities (25%)
Develops company strategy in collaboration with the Dr. Zitter and the Board
Leads company financial and operational planning
Develops, manages, and adheres to company budget
Oversees financial and tax matters; interacts with fiscal sponsor(s), accountants, and bookkeeper
Oversee contracts and legal matters, including intellectual property; interacts with company and partner attorneys
Manages communications activities
Oversees HR and administrative activities
Represents the company as needed with clients, prospects, and partner organizations
Prepares, for, attends, and contributes to Board meetings
Production of Films and Other Media (35%)
Serves as executive leader for all film and other media projects
Works with Dr. Zitter to investigate, identify, create, test, and launch documentary projects
Creates film business models and budgets and manages to the latter
Hires filmmakers and other contractors/partners to create and promote documentaries
Oversees design and execution of distribution strategies, including sales to streaming services and paid and sponsored access to target professional audiences
Oversees film festival strategy
Curriculum Development and Distribution (15%)
Determines need and demand for curricula for film and other media projects
Devises and executes business models for curriculum projects
Hires resources and/or creates partnerships for curriculum development, sales, and distribution
Fund-Raising (15%)
Identifies foundations, individual philanthropists, professional organizations, and private businesses that are potential supporters for DNHM projects
Works with Dr. Zitter to solicit and generate grants and/or fee-based revenue from past, current, and new supporters
Oversees Dr. Zitter’s paid presentations, working to optimize funds generated and mission impact
Staff management (10%)
Supervises employed staff and contractors
Hires additional staff and contractors as needed and budget-permitting
Coordinates with Dr. Zitter to manage her media and communication activities
Leads management and staff meetings and staff-wide communications
Ultimately, the ED’s performance will be assessed on output produced, impact generated, funds raised, and organizational capabilities developed. Success also will be based on demonstration of company values and fit with DNHM culture.
Performance Expectations:
Devise focused strategy for company in collaboration with Dr. Zitter and Board
Manage company bottom line to breakeven or better, including earned and contributed revenue
Oversee development and distribution of an average of at least one film every two years initially, with projects running in parallel
Work with Dr. Zitter to raise at least $250,000 during the first year from philanthropic sources
Manage and motivate staff to perform at high levels while maximizing retention
Identify and hire excellent staff, contractors, crew, and vendors as needed
Establish and implement a plan for curriculum design, development, and distribution for professional audiences
Create effective and productive partnerships needed for distribution and production
Represent the company effectively to external parties
Demonstrate and actively promote DNHM’s mission and core values
Ensure that company activities reflect the highest ethical, legal, and regulatory standards
Requirements
Ten years of experience in documentary production and/or distribution
Broad network of contacts within the documentary field
Excellent general business skills, including operational, staff, and P&L oversight
Demonstrated record of generating revenue from fees and/or philanthropic sources
Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people
Strong character, maturity, enthusiasm, and integrity
Facility with standard software (Microsoft Office, Google Suite) and Zoom
Preferred
Executive producer credits with successful documentary films
Experience working with non-profit, philanthropic, and mission-driven organizations
Background with smaller entrepreneurial organizations
Healthcare or medical knowledge
Other Skills/Abilities/Characteristics
Intelligence and creativity, with a clear track record of personal achievement
Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to define and stick to priorities
Demonstrated desire for ongoing learning and self-improvement, with a strong feedback orientation
Willingness to be held accountable for results
Positive team player able to balance supportiveness with demand for excellence
Unrelenting commitment to ethical behavior and quality output
Application Procedure
Interested applicants should apply here. Please explain your career objectives, qualifications, and fit for this job in your cover letter. No recruiters/placement agencies. No relocations. Do No Harm Media is an equal opportunity employer.