Talent Development Manager - BFI Doc Society Fund
About DOC SOCIETY
We are an innovative non-profit organisation founded in 2005 that works with the most inspiring independent documentary filmmakers all over the world. We are a team of around 20 people working from offices in London and New York.
Our mission:
We bring people together to unleash the transformational power of documentary film. We stand in solidarity with filmmakers and work to unite them with new friends and allies, building new models globally. We aim to innovate, share and innovate again.
A commitment to anti-racism, economic justice and climate justice is embedded in all we do and how we do it.
Our driving principle:
Great documentaries enrich the lives of individuals. They have a unique ability to engage and connect people, transform communities and improve societies.
Equity and Inclusion:
We want Doc Society to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay and to do their best work. Doc Society’s promotion of diversity and inclusion is clearly reflected in all of our documentaries and across all of our programmes. We are fully focused on equality and believe in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other characteristics that make us who we are. For this reason we strongly encourage applicants from under-represented groups.
MAIN PURPOSE OF POSITION
Doc Society is the delegate partner of the BFI for documentary filmmaking until 2029 and distributes National Lottery funding on its behalf. Included in the fund is the Talent Development Programme, focused on supporting filmmakers to access this fund, develop their own networks and build on the films they make. The Talent Development Programme will manage the Development Programme’s strategy, delivery and budget. The Talent Development Programme Manager will have the overview of the Talent Development Programme’s work and ensure its smooth running. They will ensure support is available to potential applicants, with a focus on equity, inclusion and talent development.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Talent Development Programme
- Strategise on the concepts and delivery of existing and new BFI Doc Society Fund Talent Development Programme elements, including fund roundtables, outreach and industry events, training programmes, Inclusivity initiatives and grantee events.
- Connect with existing and potential talent development partners remotely and at live events
- Deliver key new talent development initiatives alongside Head of BFI Doc Society Fund and the BFI Doc Society Team
- Managing official delegations of UK documentary filmmakers to attend key international festivals: including liaising with funding partners, open call and assessment processes and evaluation
- Work with the Head of BFI Doc Society Fund to curate Talent programmes, live and virtual events
- Build out the Fund’s talent development strategy, including tracking talent from partnership events, applications, 1-2-1s and other support activities
- Work with Doc Society Directors and Head of BFI Doc Society Fund to build out equity based initiatives across the Fund and Support Programme
- Work closely with BFI NETWORK on aligned activities such as the annual NETWORK@LFF talent lab and collaborations to help reach local filmmaking talent
- Engagement with issues impacting the wider documentary and independent UK film sector
- Identifying key resources and opportunities to share with documentary filmmakers
- Represent the Fund at Talent Development events at festivals and events across the UK, including hosting and moderating planned activity.
BFI Doc Society Fund Internal:
- Ensure smooth running of all the processes involved in running the BFI Doc Society Talent Development Programme with a focus on equity and inclusion.
- Manage all aspects of any online applications to talent programme initiatives, alongside partners, including BFI International and the Doc Society BFI team amongst others
- Work with Doc Society’s Creative Director and other colleagues to maintain Fund pages on www.docsociety.org ensuring advice and information is up to date
- Support the BFI Doc Society team and be familiar with funded projects.
- Contribute to writing the Doc Society newsletter as required
- Contributing to the provision of accessible formats for information on the fund for applicants.
Communications
- Outreach: proactively connect Doc Society to UK filmmakers and advise them on the film fund and application process
- Support with Fund application reading across Development and Expression of Interest stages where appropriate
- Working with Doc Society’s Engagement Manager on marketing and outreach to the UK documentary filmmaking community.
- Planning, and producing panels and talks at festivals and taking part as required.
- Lead on quarterly BFI reporting for all Talent Development Programme elements.
- Pull together reports on activity for BFI including for the mid-term review in Autumn each year
Knowledge, Skills, Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of Doc Society’s mission and work and enthusiasm for independent documentary film
- Experience delivering workshops, training, skills development, or labs for creative communities (eg. artists or filmmakers) online and/or in person
- Demonstrable enthusiasm for creative and collaborative partnership building
- Budget management
- Strong communication skills
Preferred
- Public speaking experience
- Knowledge of filmmaking networks, particularly outside of London
- Experience of embedding EDI practices within talent support, communication and outreach
- Engaged with challenges and support programmes in the documentary film field
- Application reviewing experience with either a film fund, film festival, or talent programme
Experience of fundraising and reporting to external funders
How to apply
The opening date for applications is 18 February 2026
The closing date for applications is March 3rd 2026 at 10am GMT.
Candidates will be notified if their application is progressed to interview stage by March 9th 2026
To apply, please follow this link:
https://airtable.com/app5wvV7BA1P1ZKWy/pagpjQt3dX8PIrXaQ/form
and then answer the Equality Monitoring form, available here:
https://airtable.com/appY1JwUIHiTCOk5A/shr2u3iREmhYhoD4l
Should you have not heard from us by March 13th you should assume that your application has not been successful. We will be unable to give feedback to applicants not selected for an interview.
We would like the post-holder to start as soon as possible after April 1, 2026.
Terms
- Optional office working at 180 Strand (if in London)
- 28 days including bank holidays
- Employer pension contribution after 3 months probationary period
- Fixed term to March 31 2029, subject to continued programme support
Salary:
Full time fixed term contract: immediate start to March 31st 2029 with the possibility of an extension
Salary: £ 45,000 p/a
Location: Based anywhere in the UK - we would expect you to come into the London office when required and attend limited UK events. Applicants must be able to legally work in the UK.
Employment is subject to a probationary period of three (3) months. During this time, your performance and suitability for the role will be assessed.
Equity and Inclusion:
We want Doc Society to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay and to do their best work. Doc Society’s promotion of diversity and inclusion is clearly reflected in all of our documentaries and across all of our programmes. We are fully focused on equality and believe in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other characteristics that make us who we are. For this reason we strongly encourage applicants from under-represented groups.
