Our client, Sustainable Screens Australia (SSA) is Australia’s home of environmental sustainability for film & TV.

Founded on a vision to transform the Australian screen production industry into one which integrates environmental sustainability into everyday practices. SSA brings key stakeholders across the screen industry together to educate, enable and celebrate efforts to reduce environmental impacts and inspire audiences to act for a sustainable future.

SSA’s mission is to engage with and support broadcasters and producers as well as screen agencies and educational partners, enabling the community to align with Australia’s legislated net-zero targets. Drawing on international best practice, SSA’s goal is to create and embed standardised practices that bring Australia in line with frameworks that have been widely adopted in North America, the UK, and Europe. By adapting a pre-existing model developed by UK company “We Are Albert” they can fast track Australia’s commitment. With their ability to reach and influence huge numbers of people, the Australian industry is also uniquely placed to take a leadership role in promoting solutions to the climate crisis.

The Position

We now have a significant new role for an inaugural Executive Director who is passionate about leading the change to reduce the screen industry’s environmental impact. This is a brand-new role and it’s a hugely exciting time to establish and lead the organisation as they scale up operations and launch SSA to the industry in 2023. SSA is a member-based, not-for-profit organisation structured as a company limited by guarantee and recently announced 16 businesses and industry organisations which have come on board as seed funders and foundational members. Their approach draws on the professional expertise of SSA's Management Committee, several of whom have been responsible for implementing sustainability frameworks on some of Australia's most high-profile productions.

The Executive Director will have the responsibility of managing the business of the organisation and leading a small team.  Some national and international travel may be required.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-level entrepreneurial and executive leadership to develop, implement and deliver the strategic objectives outlined in SSA’s strategic plan, including but not limited to the continued development and implementation of a strategic vision and goal setting to strengthen and grow the organisation, ensuring its continued relevance and value to the Australian and international screen production industry.
• Manage the business, governance, legal and financial aspects of the organisation - including developing operational policies, budget setting, appropriate allocation of resources, financial and tax reporting - ensuring that SSA is compliant with the regulations governing an incorporated association.
• Establish SSA as a best-in-class provider of tools and resources to support the Australian screen production industry to decarbonise.
• Localise albert’s gold-standard resources and initiatives and develop other SSA initiatives which enable the industry to reduce their environmental impact including:
  • Carbon Calculator Toolkit
  • Sustainable Production Training
  • Production Certification
• In conjunction with the SSA Management Committee, build and manage strategic alliances and partnerships with broadcasters, streamers, production companies, funding agencies, key stakeholders, educational institutions, corporate sponsors and industry organisations nationally and internationally to increase SSA’s membership, secure financial support and consolidate ongoing growth for the organisation.
• Develop and strengthen the industry’s awareness and engagement with environmental sustainability and carbon emissions reduction, utilising extensive networks and knowledge of the screen production sector to activate, mobilise, and enable planet-positive policies and behaviours.
• Recruit and manage a small team of staff who provide direct sustainability advice and support to SSA’s members and local screen productions. This includes providing direction and setting performance outcomes while promoting a positive and supportive organisational environment in order to ensure the efficient operation of the organisation and successful delivery of all activities and initiatives.
• Function as the public face and spokesperson representing the organisation, strategically and proactively creating media opportunities to promote, attract interest, and raise the profile of the organisation nationally and internationally.
• Collaborate with the Co-Chairs, Board, sub-committees and key industry stakeholders to design and deliver a suite of tools, training, resources, content and events that facilitate business outcomes, increase engagement and create professional development opportunities in an inspiring and dynamic social environment.
• Keep abreast of sustainability best-practice, carbon disclosure and reporting frameworks
• Undertaking other roles to support wider organisational objectives
• Remain abreast of industry trends and build networks both domestically and internationally

Key attributes

• An excellent team leader
• A proficient project manager
• Highly motivated and organised, with the ability to work autonomously and within a team
• Able to confidently and clearly communicate information to an uninformed audience
• Experienced in working with a diverse range of stakeholders to achieve common goals
• A confident public speaker
• Up to date understanding of carbon management frameworks and standards
• Passionate advocate for sustainability and climate action
• Ideally you will have a deep knowledge of the TV or film production industry; a background in sustainability or ESG with relevant qualifications. Not essential, but would be of value if you have familiarity with albert’s carbon calculator, certification, and training.

A full position description is available from EP Australia - Enquiries to [email protected] using the subject line: Executive Director - Sustainable Screens Australia enquiry via EthicalJobs or call +61 2 9383 4520.