Katharine Stone White Senior Programmer of Film

About the role

The Senior Programmer of Film provides artistic leadership for the Museum's renowned film program, developing ambitious year-round screenings, festivals, director talks, and interdisciplinary programs engaging diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develops and presents internationally recognized film programs and festivals.
• Cultivates relationships with distributors, filmmakers, archives, studios, and other lending institutions.
• Organizes appearances by directors and other guest speakers.
• Collaborates with Museum staff and technical personnel to oversee the timely ordering, receipt, return, and tracking of film materials and related invoices.
• Schedules and manages projectionists.
• Works with Museum staff and technical personnel to develop interdisciplinary programs connecting cinema with the Museum's collections, exhibitions, and public initiatives.
• Schedules and manages public programs, attending key screenings, introducing guests, moderating discussions and Q&As, and ensuring an exceptional audience experience.
• Oversees the successful execution of film programs, monitoring revenue and expenses, preparing financial projections, and evaluating program performance through attendance, revenue, audience feedback, and other metrics to inform future programming decisions.
• Works with Member and Visitor Services on ticketing, event logistics, and staffing.
• Partners closely with Member and Visitor Services on ticketing, event logistics, and staffing.
• Develops and manages the film program budget, collaborating with Museum staff and technical personnel to ensure efficient use of resources.
• Attends festivals, conferences, screenings, and professional meetings to represent the Museum within the film industry.
• Identifies opportunities to bring significant premieres, touring programs, and special events to the Museum.

Requirements and Characteristics

• Master's degree (M.A.) or equivalent experience, preferably in film studies, film history, cinema and media studies, or a related field.
• Five to seven years of professional experience in film programming, festival programming, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated success in developing and presenting internationally recognized film programs and festivals.
• Extensive knowledge of world cinema across historical periods, national traditions, and moving image practices, with a deep passion for film as an art form.
• Demonstrated curatorial vision and the ability to develop distinctive programs that balance scholarship, artistic excellence, audience engagement, and institutional priorities.
• Experience building productive relationships with distributors, filmmakers, archives, studios, cultural organizations, and community partners.
• Experience building audiences for programs through strategic outreach and promotion.
• Strong strategic planning, project management, and budget management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
• Able to collaborate effectively across departments and with external partners to develop interdisciplinary programming and institutional partnerships.
• Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills, including public speaking and moderating conversations with artists and scholars.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) through programming, partnerships, hiring, and management practices that foster a welcoming and culturally inclusive environment.
• A passionate ambassador for the MFA who actively cultivates relationships throughout Boston and beyond, advancing the Museum's mission as a meeting place for world cultures.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends, when most screenings and public programs take place.
• Physical ability to stand and walk for extended periods, navigate multiple floors and stairs, work in varying climate conditions, and occasionally lift boxes or equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.

Salary Range and Schedule

Full-Time Salary, 35 hours per week $75,000 - 85,000. This position is affiliated with the United Auto Worker's union.

About the Museum

The MFA is an equal opportunity employer. The community and audience we serve is diverse, and we wish to foster that diversity in our workplace. Toward that end, the MFA does not discriminate against individuals in hiring, employment or promotion on the basis of race, religion, color, sex/gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, handicap or disability, veteran or military status, political belief, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.