Executive Director, Creative & Business Operations - AIO
8 days ago
Colorado Springs
Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Focus on the Family has nearly 700 employees who work to achieve the mission of enriching the lives of families, engaging the culture, advocating for life and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The work is meaningful, the culture is rewarding, and the purpose is eternal. The Executive Director, Creative & Business Operations - AIO position exists to be responsible for leading the creative vision and execution of all animation projects. This role ensures that all content aligns with brand standards, mission objectives, and storytelling excellence. This position oversees the creative process from concept to final delivery, providing guidance and approvals across scripts, visuals, music, and casting; also serves in a creative advisory role to the Executive Producer, AIO Audio. Essential Duties/Responsibilities: Creative Leadership: • Defines and approves the creative vision for animation scripts, visuals, music, and casting, • Provides final approval on all creative content for animation projects, • Ensures all new content is on-brand and mission-aligned, • Oversees creative strategy for a $14M production budget Script Development: • Reviews all stages of script development, including premises, drafts, and Story Editor polish, • Performs final polish on scripts to ensure brand and character consistency, • Attends brainstorming sessions and resolves creative questions from writers and Story Editors Team Management: • Manages a team of Animation Story Editor, Director, and AIO Production Manager, • Mentors and advises the AIO Audio Executive Producer on creative decisions when requested, • Collaborates routinely with the Story Editor and other creative team members Production Oversight: • Attends all recording sessions and provides final approval on session choices, • Meets weekly with Director, Producer, and Line Producer for production updates, • Reviews all animation assets and animatics, • Participates in score meetings with Music Supervisors, Directors, and Composers Business Operations & Budget Management: • Develops, manages, and monitors the annual Audio Drama production and operating budgets to ensure responsible stewardship of ministry resources, • Partners with Finance and Marketing leadership to prepare annual budget plans, forecasts, and long-range financial projections, • Monitors budget performance throughout the fiscal year, analyzes variances, and recommends adjustments as needed to meet financial objectives, • Approves and prioritizes production expenditures within established budget authority while balancing creative excellence, ministry impact, and fiscal responsibility, • Oversees financial planning for animation projects, including production schedules, resource allocation, vendor expenditures, and contract budgets, • Provides regular budget updates, financial reports, and operational insights to the VP of Content Development and other executive leaders, • Identifies opportunities to improve operational efficiency, resource utilization, and production workflows while maintaining creative quality, • Collaborates with Finance, Procurement, Legal, and other ministry departments to ensure compliance with organizational policies, contracts, and financial controls Cross Department Collaboration: • Interfaces with departments including Product Marketing, Audio, Family Advancement, Office of the President, Global Services, and Relationship Services, • Works with Global Ministry Development on foreign language expansion, • Collaborates with Product Marketing on promotional strategies Additional Responsibilities: • Attends weekly Animation Core Team meetings and marketing meetings as requested, • Conducts interviews and attends fundraising events when needed, • Serves as a creative consultant for other-brand fiction animation projects Other Duties/Responsibilities: • Performs other duties, including but not limited to duties as assigned, some of which may include the development and creation of a variety of copyrightable works (e.g., print, photography, voice work, film, music, visual arts, etc.) for distribution in all media and formats (such as television, radio, internet, wireless, DVD, satellite and digital) on a world-wide basis, all of which shall be for the benefit of Focus on the Family Managerial Breadth/Scope of Job: • Is responsible for activities of staff and freelance workers, • Ensures brand continuity Working Environment/Physical Requirements: • Office/studio environment, • Travel for recording sessions, networking, conferences, etc., • This role may require occasional travel including nights and weekends Job Qualifications/Requirements: Character/Spiritual: Exemplifies Ephesians 5:1-2, "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children and walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us.." Pursues the Great Commission given by Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Is a consistent witness for Jesus Christ; maintains a courteous, Christ-like attitude in dealing with people within and outside of Focus; adheres to the Standard of Moral Conduct and Statement of Faith; upholds Focus on the Family's ministry in prayer Prays personally for Focus on the Family's staff and constituents and may occasionally lead in a public prayer Engages in Christian ministry Demonstrates behaviors aligned with FOF core values This role is considered a Spokesperson for Focus on the Family and should represent Focus' position and tone at all times Personal Characteristics: • Diplomatic, peacemaker, patient, self-accountable, articulate, decisive, flexible, approachable, concern for long-term effectiveness Knowledge/Experience: • Bachelor's Degree in English, Journalism, or Communications, • 10+ years of experience in radio drama and staff management, • Background in radio helpful, • In-depth knowledge of FOF mission, philosophy, values, and objectives Skills, Abilities and Special Talents/Gifts: • Ability to think creatively in artistic endeavors, • Ability to do complex planning, • Strong organizational skills, • Strong relational skills, • Ability to communicate effectively (written and verbal), • Ability to diffuse and resolve conflicts, • Ability to encourage and motivate personnel, • Ability to handle multiple projects and meet strict deadlines Stewardship Requirements: • Provides stewardship of a $1314 million annual production budget through forecasting, expenditure monitoring, and budget management in partnership with executive leadership. Pay Range: $113,988 to $131,616 Application Materials Required: Cover Letter, Resume/CV *Colorado Residents: In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove any age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information. Application Materials Instructions: Please identify the job specific minimum qualifications you possess in your cover letter and be sure your resume includes any and all relevant experience to be accurately assessed against the qualifications listed in the posting. To apply, please submit the following application materials to this posting. 1. A current resume. 2. A cover letter that specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications. Focus on the Family puts a high value on our team members and offers a unique benefit package. Employees scheduled for 20 hours or more per week are eligible for: • Norton LifeLock ID Theft Coverage