London: A Bigger Picture - invitation to tender
Consultant Focus Group Facilitator
Budget: £1,600, inclusive of expenses but exclusive of VAT
Deadline: 5pm on Friday 25 May 2012

Film London, on behalf of London's Screen Archives, is seeking to recruit a consultant focus group facilitator with experience of working with archive film and with diverse audience groups. This work forms part of the development phase of an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a major project to widen audiences for London's film heritage and to fill in gaps in the London regional collection. Please submit your application by email to screenheritage@filmlondon.org.uk.


Freelance Focus Group Facilitator Brief (PDF)

---

Financial Controller
Salary Range:  circa £40,000  pa / pro rata

Fixed Term Contract: July / August 2012- February / March 2013 (Maternity Cover)

JOB DETAILS

The Financial Controller is a key role within the agency, managing Film London's financial systems ensuring that they are accurate and up to date as well as preparing all financial monitoring information for reporting purposes.

This is a maternity cover and could be a part time position. The Financial Controller will be managing the Administrator: Finance & Strategy. The Financial Controller will be reporting to the Head of Strategy & Resources who in turn reports to the Chief Executive.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Systems

Produce accurate and up-to-date monthly management accounts for use by management and directors. This includes the carrying out of all control account reconciliations and the completion of other month end procedures. Prepare a written summary of the accounts to assist relevant users' understanding of the issues identified in the accounts.

Process all financial transactions, ensuring adequate documentary support, correct nominal coding and appropriate authorisation, such that the accounts system accurately reflects the financial position of Film London.

Prepare draft accounts for the annual statutory audit and other regulatory visits as required. Assist Film London auditors in the audit of Film London's accounts including project audits and provide information as and when necessary.

Issue invoices and orders, handle billing enquiries, credit control and process invoices for payment.

Oversee petty cash and expenses claims and carry out account reconciliation on Sage.

Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual returns to be submitted to funders such as the BFI, the GLA and the Arts Council England as well as to other project funding agencies, detailing relevant income and expenditure.

Prepare reports and analysis for projects (funded by the MEDIA Programme, ERDF etc) as requested.

Review and develop financial and related systems including departmental budgets to meet the on-going needs of Film London.


Budgets & Forecasts

With the Head of Strategy & Resources work on the annual budget ensuring that it is robust, realistic and consistent with the principle of public accountability.

With the Head of Strategy & Resources prepare regular reviews of the budget, including forecasts and any proposed amendments to the budget for the remainder of the year.

Ensure that budgets and forecasts are adjusted to take account of ongoing developments in the work of Film London.

Prepare long term forecasts of financial and other activity, ensuring that reserves are maintained at adequate levels for proposed levels of activity, and that planned activity does not outstrip available reserves.

Legal Compliance (Finance)

Ensure that Film London meets all legal requirements in relation to direct and indirect taxation (including PAYE / NI & VAT).

Ensure that Film London meets all filing deadlines (including Companies House and HM Revenue and Customs).

Lottery

Ensure that all lottery payments are entered and processed through the GIFTS (grant tracking) system.

Prepare all financial and monitoring information required to comply with lottery regulations and for reports to the UK Film Council and ensure that all relevant documentation is kept on file.

General

Assist the Head of Strategy & Resources with any other ad hoc financial or administrative task.


ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE AND PERSONAL QUALITIES

Essential:

• Part qualified accountant.
• Robust accounting experience.
• Excellent knowledge and experience of Sage and other key software like Excel, Word and Microsoft Outlook.
• Strong communication and analytical skills.
• Excellent administrative skills and an ability to work to deadlines.
• Knowledge of and / or interest in the film and TV industry.
  
  Desirable:
• Experience of lottery and other grant giving systems.
• Experience of financial reporting to central and local government agencies.
• Knowledge of GIFTS database system or other grant tracking systems.
• Good team working and interpersonal skills.

 

KEY TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Place of work

Film London's offices are Suite 6.10, 56 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JJ. Travel around London may be required. Costs for travel required by work will be reimbursed.

Hours and workload

Time off in lieu will be possible in respect of hours worked over the standard week of 40 hours (inclusive of lunch breaks). Time off in lieu will not be allowed to accrue across leave years. Occasional work on weekends and / or evenings may be required.

Holidays

All staff will be entitled to 25 days paid holiday in addition to public and bank holidays in each leave year (1 April to 31 March). Not more than 5 days unused holiday entitlement will be rolled into subsequent years unless at the express authorisation of the Board and no payment will be made for unused leave.

Probationary Period
The first three months will be a probationary period.

APPLYING FOR THE POST

Application Form

Please post completed forms to the Film London, Suite 6.10, The Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JJ or email jobs@filmlondon.org.uk.

Closing date for applications: 5pm, Friday 25 May 2012.


It is the policy of Film London to promote and integrate equality of opportunity into all aspects of its business, including its appointment of staff. We wish to ensure that Film London reflects the diversity of the communities in which it works. We welcome applications from groups currently under-represented including Black, Asian and Chinese and other ethnic minority groups, and disabled people.

---

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, US PRODUCTION
Location:    11766 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, CA 90025 USA

Description:    
Based at Film London, the British Film Commission is the government backed national function responsible for globally promoting the UK as the best place to produce feature films.

The British Film Commission works to encourage and support inward investment feature films, strengthening the UK's production infrastructure and working with the UK Government to ensure that film-friendly policies are in place. Its national advisory board is chaired by Iain Smith.

The British Film Commission has an office in Los Angeles. This part of the operation is a conduit between the US and UK film industries, with specific focus on attracting film production into the UK, information exchange, skills, talent and business development, and generating strategic creative and business partnerships between the two countries. With impending changes to tax credit to now include television, the British Film Commission remit is to expand to cover this industry alongside film.
    

Job Summary:
To support and represent the Inward Investment Strategy of the British Film Commission in the US, on behalf of the CEO.

The specific areas of focus will be equally divided between (1) establishing and maintaining contacts in the US for the BFC; (2) business development and client relationship management of US productions considering filming in the UK; (3) Managing the US Office; (4) Overseeing the Senior Executive, Industry Relations and support staff in the USO; (5) gathering & disseminating information to the CEO.

Key Responsibilities:

 

• Build and develop a good contact base amongst people and companies associated or responsible for US productions potentially taking place in the UK.
• Manage and oversee the US Office of the BFC.
• Manage direct reports in the US Office, including but not limited to the Senior Executive, Industry Relations.
• Use pre-existing client base and industry knowledge to approach and attract potential studio and independent projects to the UK.
• Strategize marketing campaigns to expand client base and raise awareness about UK film incentives.
• Analyze industry trends in the US film marketplace and share information with the CEO. Strategize ways for the UK to best promote its strengths with a keen eye to competitive incentives in the US, Europe and other key territories.
• Focus on client relations for US productions filming in the UK, working closely with the CEO and the Senior Production Executive to ensure smooth transition from the US to the UK. Provide continuity for US productions filming in the UK and maintain a limited presence, as needed, in early stages of preproduction.
• Promote team work among UK and US offices to ensure that client relationships have a shared element and continuous coverage. Work closely with the Senior Production Executive and Senior Executive, Industry Relations to this end.
• Apply experience in production to anticipate needs of clients and help problem solve potential production issues.
• Establish presence at major film festivals (3-4 per year) to expand client base and promote inward investment.
• Represent the BFC on panels etc at international and domestic markets, festivals and other industry events, as required.
• Maintain and build working knowledge of global incentives and competing territories. Increase awareness of potential global funding for UK films.

Administrative Duties:

 

• Routinely record relevant details of all contacts and actions onto the appropriate database.
• Manage and update US/UK production tracking database, in conjunction with BFC Production Administrator and produce weekly updated reports for weekly conference call/meeting with BFC.
• Track and report the production activity of the Studios, and other producers potentially and actually planning production in the UK. Record information on these productions, from relevant individuals, companies, organisations, trades and daily press; pass to CEO and disseminate as appropriate.
• Together with the BFC, provide support, information and advice to ensure that the UK film tax system is promoted and understood.
• Offer guidance on the Cultural Test assessment of projects prior to submission to the British Films certification department at the BFI, liaising with Senior Production Executive.
• As agreed with the CEO, establish and maintain regular contact with all US productions throughout the development and pre-production process, until the production reaches the UK.  Update CEO on a regular basis.
• Provide relevant briefs for industry representatives visiting from the UK and encourage debriefs from them when they depart the US. Provide relevant reports post visits.
• Research and keep abreast of the film production/location/funding incentives offered by the various States in the US and international territories in attracting feature film production.
• Research and monitor the inward investment from the US to other countries outside the UK.
• At all times promote/market the UK as a location of excellence for international production and post-production.
• Support and attend US domestic events as appropriate.
• Provide relevant input for BFC Monthly Operating Report and the BFC US website page.
• Keep abreast of UK and US industry news through press cuttings, trade publications, and relevant meetings.

FURTHER DETAILS

Essential Experience:

 

• have excellent knowledge of UK and US film production industries
• have knowledge of international competition in global film industry
• have a proven track record of developing meaningful industry relationships and forging partnerships
• have contacts in the US film production industry including the Studios
• understand the UK tax system and Cultural Test
• have excellent team-working and interpersonal skills
• be a strong and confident communicator
• have proven research experience
• have excellent organisational skills
• be able to work under pressure, multi-task,  and meet deadlines
• be highly proficient in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• demonstrate experience of information provision
• have the ability to handle confidential and sensitive material and information with discretion

Under US State Department requirements, the British Embassy Network may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders or A Visa holders. If you hold a Visa other than an A Visa you are not currently eligible to work at the Embassy.  All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance.

The British Embassy Network offers a competitive salary and a strong benefits package.  This package includes medical, dental, vision, life, long term and short term disability insurances, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, generous vacation and leave time, and an enriching training package.

The target salary for this position is $100,000 annualized and negotiable.  Salary will be confirmed upon offer of employment.

To Apply:
Resume and a cover letter with salary history should be submitted in a .doc (word) file format to: careers@fco.gov.uk.  Please note in the subject line of your email "Communications Officer."  Internal candidates should address their resumes through their Head of Group before applying. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. 

Closing date for applications:  Friday 18th May 2012, 5pm Pacific Time

Interviews will be held on the: 12th and 13th June 2012 in Los Angeles.