Head of Media Trust Films

About Media Trust  

At Media Trust, we believe it’s by giving everyone an equal voice that we’ll get to a more equal society. That’s why we work with charities to strengthen their storytelling, advocacy and campaigning, press engagement and social media. We do this through media, communications and digital skills training delivered with our media and creative industry partners and by matching charities looking for content creation and other communications support with media industry volunteers looking to give back. At the same time, our programmes for underrepresented talent are giving young and diverse talent the creative media skills, access and mentoring to break into the media.     

For more information about Media Trust’s work, see our 2023 Impact Report.  

About Media Trust Films 

Media Trust Films bridges the gap between charities and filmmakers, creating powerful films that amplify the impact of grassroots organisations by leveraging the expertise of our talented directors, many with lived experience of the causes they’re supporting. 

We carefully match charities with experienced volunteer filmmakers who produce and direct short films about their designated charity’s work and impact. Media Trust oversees the production, guiding and supporting the charities and filmmakers as needed.   

We also provide training for charities on the filmmaking process and distribution strategies for their finished film, as well as training for filmmakers on intersectional story-telling and working with people with lived experience.     

Many of our films have been recognised for their creativity and high production values at the Creative Circle Awards, Smiley Charity Film Awards, Big Syn Sustainability Film Awards and Third Sector Awards. 

This year, Media Trust Films is producing 46 short films for charities supported by City Bridge Foundation, Crucible Foundation, John Lyons Charity, The Mercers’ Company and Santander Foundation. 

For charities that are not supported by one of the funders that we work with, we also make Commissioned Films for charities who have budget to make a film. 

Examples of previous films can be found here. 

About the role  

This is an exciting role for an Executive Producer, Series Producer or Senior Producer with broad experience – ideally both in filmmaking and working with the charity sector – to lead Media Trust Films.  

Reporting to the CEO, you will manage our in-house team of four Creative Producers and a Project Co-ordinator. The team works with volunteer directors to deliver high-quality short films on a small budget. While each Creative Producer will have direct responsibility for their respective slate of films, you will have overall responsibility for ensuring the consistency of quality of all Media Trust Films’ output, while also ensuring all our projects stay on budget and on schedule. You will support the team to recruit suitably qualified volunteer film-makers, ideally with lived experience relating to the charities and causes they support.  You will provide creative guidance and editorial feedback to the Creative Producers on their films and help to troubleshoot and resolve any major operational issues that arise.  

We are looking for someone with a democratic and consensual leadership style who is confident and comfortable providing creative input and constructive feedback. You will also be a dynamic, creative, strategic and organised individual who is happy to hit the ground running.  

You will be responsible for driving growth of this area for Media Trust, building on the momentum of the last few years. You will help to pitch new trusts and foundations and other funders to support new slates of films. You will also lead on approaching industry partners to support the production and distribution of the films.  In addition, you will scope the potential for more commissioned films and develop this area of activity for Media Trust, putting in place appropriate systems and processes. 

You will have overall responsibility for ensuring we are monitoring the impact of individual films as much as possible, putting in place systems for this. You will also work with the Media Trust marketing and communications team to produce case studies on the impact our films have. 

Key responsibilities 

Creative  

• Strategic development, implementation and review of projects, ensuring our films are of consistently high quality, meet the communications needs of the charities and funders we work with, and are delivered on time and on budget 

Leadership and Line Management 

• Line management of the Media Trust Films team including conducting regular meetings and one-to-ones with your direct reports
• Manage cross organisational working processes, ensuring clear communications and collaboration across teams 

Income generation and business development  

• Support business development, pitching to and securing new funders and industry partners
• Scope the potential for more commissioned films by bigger charities and put in place appropriate systems and processes to support the expansion of this area
• Develop and maintain relationships with charities, filmmakers, professional bodies, funders and government departments, raising the profile of Media Trust across the sector through meetings, networking events and steering groups 

Marketing and Impact Evaluation 

• Working with the Media Trust Marketing and Communications team, lead on our efforts to raise the profile of Media Trust Films and individual films
• Manage impact evaluation for individual films as much as possible, putting in place systems for this and work with the Marcomms team to produce case studies showing the impact our films have 

Person specification  

• A minimum of 10 years’ experience of creating/producing high quality content (ideally short-form), including scriptwriting and editorial experience
• Excellent understanding of the UK charity sector and communications challenges charities face
• Demonstrable experience of complex programme management, including producing and managing budgets and schedules
• Demonstrable experience running mid-size teams and with the ability and empathy to motivate, stretch and support a team
• Outstanding outward-facing relationship management with proven track record of working effectively with external stakeholders. This might include high profile individuals, businesses, government, funders and charity beneficiaries
• Autonomous and self-motivated, with the ability to achieve success in a busy, multi-task environment
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Commitment to equal opportunities and the aims and values of Media Trust 

The above job description is a guide to the work you may be required to undertake but does not form part of your contract of employment and may change from time to time to reflect changing circumstances. 

How to apply 

Download and complete the Equal Opportunities form below.  Email a covering letter (max 2 pages) describing how your skills and experience match our requirements, along with your CV and the completed equal opportunities form to: roles@mediatrust.org. Please put “Head of Media Trust Films” in the subject heading of the email and let us know where you heard about the vacancy.  

We aim to represent the communities we support. We encourage applications from people of colour, those who identify as LGBTQIA, working class as well as Disabled people and those living with mental health conditions.  

We are happy to make reasonable adjustments for applicants who need additional support at any stage of the recruitment process – please get in touch to discuss.    

• Closing date:  10am on 4 November
• Interviews:     Week commencing 11 November 

Working at Media Trust   

Media Trust is an ambitious charity, full of passionate people. We are a small and dynamic team that works collaboratively and supports each other in a fast-paced environment. We are looking for motivated, agile and value-driven people to join our team.  In return we offer:  

• Remote working 
• 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) 
• Flexible hours, to be agreed with line manager
• Pension contributions
• 2 volunteer days each year    

Flexible Working at Media Trust 

Media Trust values and respects all differences in people (seen and unseen). One of the ways we do this is by actively encouraging staff to work in ways that best suit their needs and our flexible working policy outlines many of the options available, such as part-time and term-time working, job sharing, home working and working compressed hours. Please talk to us at the interview about the flexibility and equipment or other support you need. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise not to judge you for asking.   

Media Trust values diversity and is an equal opportunities employer.  

Registered Charity no. 1042733