Managing Director

Managing Director - Joshua Tree International Film Festival

Part-time (15–20 hrs/week), becoming full-time and year-round in Fall 2027 · High Desert, California

About the festival:
The Joshua Tree International Film Festival is an emerging nonprofit institute and world class film festival founded by award-winning director, Ondi Timoner, celebrating independent film in the heart of California’s High Desert. We bring together filmmakers, film lovers, and the local community for screenings, filmmaker Q&As, and events at venues across the hi-desert, from Pioneertown to 29 Palms.

The Role:
The Joshua Tree Int’l Film Festival is looking for a Managing Director to oversee the business side of the festival. Working closely with the board and the team, you’ll lead the effort to keep the operation funded, organized, insured, and compliant, and work with the creative side to grow and optimize the institute and festival experience.

This role starts immediately in a part-time capacity and grows into a full-time, year-round leadership position in Fall 2027. The first official festival will take place in 2028. It’s a rare chance to help build the infrastructure of a growing festival in one of the most distinctive places in the country.

What you’ll do:
Team and operations
Supervise and support our team. Includes hiring, management and payroll.

Finance:
Build and manage the annual budget and cost reports alongside the [Festival Director]
Act as the main contact for our accountant and payroll
Contracts, permits and insurance
Negotiate and manage contracts with venues and vendors
Secure permits from the National Park Service, San Bernardino County, and local municipalities
Make sure insurance coverage is in place for all festival activities

Nonprofit administration:
Keep the organization compliant with nonprofit filing and reporting requirements
Support the board with meeting logistics, records, and governance admin

Sponsors and partners:
Track what we’ve committed to sponsors and partners, and make sure we deliver it

Your Ideal Experience:
Experience running festivals, live events, or nonprofits
Comfortable with budgets, contracts, and the details of permits and compliance
An organized, steady manager who can lead a small team through crunch time
Based in the Hi-Desert (Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, Twentynine Palms and nearby), Palm Springs of LA with strong ties to the desert.

Nice to have:
Experience with National Park Service special use permits or other public-land event permits
Familiarity with Paychex or similar payroll and HR systems
A love of independent film

Compensation:
Hourly rate or salary range for the part-time phase, and expected range at full-time
How to apply

Send a résumé and a short cover letter about the events or organizations you’ve run to …
Equal Opportunity Employer’s Statement

The Joshua Tree Film Festival is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Reference: ECNJOBID-66-249-73-2 in the application