ABOUT SUNDANCE INSTITUTE

Sundance Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the discovery, development, and support of independent artists and storytellers. Founded by Robert Redford, the Institute champions creative expression, fosters inclusive storytelling, and advances the cultural impact of independent film and media.

Through its renowned Artist Programs and Labs, Sundance Institute provides emerging and established artists with year-round support, mentorship, and resources to develop original work across film, television, and new media. These programs have helped launch and sustain generations of artists whose work shapes global culture.

The Institute is also the producer of the Sundance Film Festival, one of the world’s most influential platforms for independent storytelling. Each year, the Festival convenes artists, industry leaders, and audiences to celebrate new voices and groundbreaking work.

Sundance Institute is currently entering a pivotal period of organizational evolution, including the transition of key operations to Boulder, Colorado. This move represents more than a geographic shift; it is an opportunity to reimagine how the Institute operates, engages its community, and sustains its mission for the future.

At the core of Sundance Institute’s work are the Founder’s Principles established by Robert Redford, which emphasize artistic risk-taking, independence, and the importance of supporting artists outside traditional systems of power and access. These principles continue to guide the Institute’s programs, partnerships, and approach to philanthropy.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Sundance Institute seeks a visionary, strategic, and deeply collaborative leader to serve as its Chief of Marketing, Brand & Communications Officer (CMBCO). Serving as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CMBCO is responsible for leading the Institute's integrated marketing, communications, brand strategy, public relations, digital marketing, audience development, and creative functions. As steward of the Sundance Institute and Sundance Film Festival brands, this executive shapes how the Institute is understood and experienced by artists, audiences, donors, partners, media, and the public. This executive role unites the Institute’s marketing and communications functions under a single strategic umbrella, ensuring coherence, cultural relevance, and authentic storytelling across all organizational touchpoints.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, this leader serves as the connective tissue across all departments, from the Festival to Advancement, Artist and Public Programs, and Institutional Strategy, uniting internal and external messaging, brand identity, and community engagement that elevate the Institute’s reputation, strengthen engagement, support fundraising and earned revenue, and expand audiences through a single, authentic voice. The position is both strategic and hands-on, shaping how Sundance Institute shows up in the world today and well into the future.

This executive leads a high-performing multidisciplinary team responsible for brand, marketing, communications, creative services, digital marketing, social media, public relations, and audience engagement while championing innovation, accessibility, data-informed decision-making, and operational excellence.

This is a full-time, hybrid leadership position. The Chief Marketing, Brand & Communications Officer must reside within a reasonable commuting distance of one of Sundance Institute's primary locations: Boulder, CO; Los Angeles, CA; or New York City, NY. Regular in-person collaboration is an important component of this role, including participation in executive leadership meetings, organizational planning, artist and donor engagement, and key Institute events. Significant travel, including extended hours during the Sundance Film Festival and other major Institute programs, is expected.

Compensation Range: $275,000–$310,000 annually. Final compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, internal equity, and the market in which the selected candidate resides. Sundance Institute also offers a comprehensive benefits package, retirement contributions, generous paid time off, and the opportunity to help shape one of the world's most influential organizations supporting independent artists and storytellers.

You will be successful in this role if you...

• Are deeply embedded in the world of storytelling, art, and culture, with a proven track record of strategic vision, campaign excellence, and collaborative leadership.

• See interconnection as strategy, understanding how internal teams, external audiences, and institutional vision must align to create lasting impact.

• Believe that culture is built through language and story, and that institutions can evolve through how they communicate.

• Build accountability and alignment across teams while empowering individuals to do their best work.

• Are as comfortable leading a press briefing or board presentation as you are mentoring a team member or rolling up your sleeves on a campaign.

• Are committed to reducing the organization’s environmental footprint through sustainable marketing practices.

• Want to help Sundance Institute endure, not just through sustainability, but by nurturing soul, voice, and belonging.

Top priorities include but are not limited to…

Brand Stewardship

• Own and evolve Sundance Institute’s brand narrative to ensure cultural resonance, authenticity, and longevity.

• Act as guardian of the Institute’s identity across internal programs and external campaigns, including the Labs, Festival, Development, Community & Belonging, and public programming.

• Unify visual, verbal, and experiential branding across the organization, ensuring each group feels empowered while working toward a shared vision.

• Strategically position Sundance across all platforms and channels, including social media, video, design, print, and the annual report.

• Strengthen the Institute’s commitment to accessibility and environmentally sustainable marketing practices.

Marketing Strategy & Integrated Campaigns

• Develop and execute integrated marketing strategies that expand audiences, increase engagement, strengthen philanthropic participation, and drive earned revenue across all programs.

• Lead digital marketing strategy to expand brand awareness, grow, retain, and cultivate the Institute’s supporter base, and build engagement with key constituents.

• Spearhead storytelling that elevates Sundance Institute alumni, programs, and partners across platforms and communities.

• Oversee creative development including advertising, design, digital content, and campaign execution.

• Collaborate with Corporate Partnerships to support sponsor activations through integrated marketing and storytelling.

• Identify innovative ways to position Sundance Institute as a leader in arts and independent storytelling, leveraging press, partnerships, and cultural moments.

Communications & External Relations

• Serve as the Institute’s chief storyteller and lead ambassador, deepening relationships with industry partners, filmmakers, media, donors, and global audiences.

• Build productive and strategic partnerships and service existing sponsor and partner activities across the organization.

• Oversee high-impact partnerships and public-facing initiatives with sensitivity to cultural nuance and institutional values.

• Oversee executive communications, institutional announcements, and Board-level communications as appropriate.

• Direct communications supporting the Sundance Film Festival, artist programs, fundraising and strategic initiatives, including the Festival's transition and long-term positioning in Boulder.

• Develop and lead crisis communications strategies and response plans in partnership with the CEO and executive leadership.

• Oversee social media strategy to expand awareness, engagement and community connection.

Community, Equity & Audience Development

• Guide and ensure sustained commitment to reaching diverse audiences and to developing authentic relationships with underrepresented communities through inclusive and ethical forms of communication.

• Champion accessibility as a core principle across all marketing and communications output.

• Increase engagement among key constituents, including artist alumni, Film Festival attendees, donors, and supporters.

• Uphold the highest standards of inclusive storytelling, amplifying underrepresented voices and building meaningful bridges with diverse communities.

Team Leadership & Culture

• Mentor, develop, and lead a high-performing creative team spanning marketing, communications, PR, design, digital, social media, and audience engagement, ensuring all team members have access to opportunities, assignments, and career growth.

• Provide leadership that promotes equity, inclusion, and psychological safety.

• Cultivate a shared commitment to excellence, agility, and creative risk-taking.

• Establish clear goals, performance expectations, and accountability measures across all functions that retain professionals aligned with the Institute’s culture, mission, and values.

Data, Digital Strategy & Marketing Operations

• Lead the Institute's digital marketing ecosystem, including website strategy, digital content, digital advertising, marketing technology, social media, audience engagement platforms, and related digital experiences in partnership with Technology.

• Ensure delivery of market research, business intelligence, consumer insights, and reporting to guide executive-level strategy.

• Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) across brand awareness, audience growth, and engagement.

• Leverage data and insights to inform strategy and drive continuous improvement.

• Lead the modernization of marketing and engagement infrastructure, including emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation, systems, tools, and capabilities to enhance effectiveness while aligning with our values and governance principles.

You have the following direct or transferable skill sets:

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience across integrated marketing, communications, brand strategy, and/or public engagement, with roots in film, media, or nonprofit arts.

• Demonstrated expertise in building and evolving brand narratives and executing high- impact, multi-channel campaigns.

• Mastery in navigating both industry and grassroots cultural ecosystems, with experience advising or working alongside filmmakers, press, distributors, talent, and promotional partners.

• Proven ability to lead and inspire cross-functional teams in a hands-on, highly collaborative, growth-oriented environment.

• Demonstrated success managing multimillion-dollar marketing and communications budgets and aligning investments with organizational priorities and measurable outcomes.

• Strong data and analytics orientation; ability to drive strategy through consumer insights, market research, and performance metrics.

• A demonstrated commitment to inclusive and ethical storytelling, uplifting underrepresented voices and building meaningful connections with diverse communities.

• Understanding of non-profits and how they operate.

• A deep passion and affinity for Sundance Institute and its artist community.

In addition to an annual salary of $275,000.00 to $310,000.00*, this position** is eligible for our comprehensive benefits package, highlights include:

• Health, vision, and dental insurance

• 25 paid Institute holidays plus 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.

**Applications open 7/17/2026 and will be accepted for at least one week