POSITION OVERVIEW

At Sundance Institute, we believe in the transformative power of storytelling to inspire, challenge, and connect communities. Since our inception, we have been at the forefront of promoting independent storytellers, providing a platform for emerging artists, and showcasing diverse voices that enrich our shared cultural tapestry. Utah has been our community and home for over 40 years and that’s why we’re seeking a dynamic and experienced individual to join our leadership team as the Director of Utah Community Outreach and Government Relations. This role is integral in extending our influence, fostering partnerships, and ensuring that we remain an inclusive and impactful presence both locally and beyond.

Reporting to the General Counsel, the Director will lead Sundance Institute’s efforts as an engaged and positive community member to successfully advance opportunities for storytellers in Utah and across the globe. The Director will be charged with representing Sundance to forge new partnerships, engage our constituencies and partners, develop strategy and execute on those strategies to strengthen outreach and ties with local communities, stakeholders, and government.

This full-time position is based out of the greater Salt Lake City area with regular opportunities for remote work. Extended hours including evenings and weekends will be required at key points throughout the year. Travel to work onsite at other Institute offices and events will also be required on occasion.

Top priorities include but are not limited to…

Community Outreach, Engagement, and Partnership Development

• Forging and strengthening relationships between Sundance and local communities, stakeholders, and businesses.

• Identifying, developing, and nurturing existing and new partnerships with other cultural institutions and community organizations.

• Developing and overseeing Utah-based community programs and is a liaison to key community groups that engage and uplift various demographic groups LGBTQIA, BIPOC, and other allied organizations.

• Providing inspiring and effective leadership and training to teams involved in community-based outreach events so they are clear on the Institute’s community outreach strategy to ensure alignment across events (i.e., Public Programming, Operations, Volunteer Relations, and Film Festival).

• Maintaining a deep and broad knowledge of Sundance Institute’s artist programs.

• Representing Sundance by attending and participating in community events, task-forces, and initiatives to ensure our organization's presence and message remain consistent and impactful while assisting Advancement’s outreach to the donor community.

• Collaborating with our teams to develop strategies and identify opportunities that enhance our community presence, influence, and address challenges to enhance Sundance as a community leader.

• Collaborating with the Marketing team to promote community events, partnerships, and initiatives.

• Supporting Advancement, Board Relations, and Executive Office with preparing and managing key visitor relations during the Festival as requested.

Government Relations and Advocacy

• Acting as the primary liaison between Sundance, the Core Leadership team, and Utah Lobbyists to build the Institute's annual and short-term state and local government strategy.

• Leading and managing Sundance’s relationship with Utah Lobbyists, including meeting with them on a regular basis, ensuring timely communications to strategize on government matters and advocate for policies and funding opportunities that benefit the Sundance community.

• Partnering and collaborating with internal grant writers to identify and prepare all Utah state and local government grants.

• Leading and overseeing the annual Festival Economic Impact Report with our survey vendor to project manage the related budget, meet deadlines, assign deliverables, confirm analysis that aligns with agreed data points to capture impact.

• Collaborating with our survey vendor and the COO to present the Festival Economic Impact Report and key findings to Core Leadership and key state and local government audiences as necessary.

• Maintaining a strong understanding of the policy landscape, ensuring that Sundance remains compliant and well-positioned to advance its mission.

• Representing Sundance Institute at panels, conferences, and other opportunities that are related to local, state, and federal government entities.

You have the following direct or transferable skill sets:

• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

• A Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Community Development, Arts Administration or a related field preferred.

• 10 years of experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior community outreach or government relations role, preferably within a cultural or arts organization.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to build strong relationships while working across the organization in order to drive results.

• Experience in a complex legal and compliance environment.

• Strong consultation, presentation, meeting design, project management, and facilitation skills including public speaking.

• Passionate about cultural arts and its role in community building.

• Bilingual or multilingual abilities are a plus.

• Proven ability to create, compose and edit legal contracts and other written materials or direct experience as a Paralegal preferred.

You will be successful in this role if you…

• Strengthen the relationship between the Institute and the local communities, stakeholders, schools, business, and government officials.

• Build a strong community outreach and government relations strategies that identify opportunities that enhance our community presence and influence, while maintaining and building new partnerships that elevate Sundance as a community leader.

• Are a strategic relationship builder, with a deep knowledge and affinity for Utah, and the greater Salt Lake City/ Park City area;

• Build a strong internal constituency and can collaborate cross functionally to further embed Sundance into the local communities we serve and expand our reach to new constituencies to advance the work of the Institute.

In addition to an annual salary of $86,000.00 to $100,000.00*, this position is eligible for our comprehensive benefits package, highlights include:

• Health, vision, and dental insurance

• 25 paid Institute holidays plus accrued vacation time

• Paid sick, family, and medical leave

• Employee Wellness initiatives

• 401(k) with automatic 3% employer contribution after one year of employment

• Sundance Film Festival passes and benefits (varies each year)

*Final rate of pay is determined based on the applicant's geographic location, relevant experience and skills, and internal equity among similar positions within our organization.