The Director of Theatrical Sales is responsible for managing the theatrical sales operations of the company. Key duties include leading exhibitor communication and relationships, further cementing GKIDS as a trusted distributor of first run films and alternative content; overseeing sales operations including slate presentations, pitches, and bookings; and analyzing industry performance and trends, taking learnings and applying them to box office forecasting and reporting. This position will work collaboratively with the Sr. Director, Brand & Franchise, and will report to the current VP, Distribution.
This is a full-time salaried position with benefits, based in New York, NY.
Key Responsibilities:
• Establish slate sales strategy and lead development of release pitches, directly engaging with exhibitors throughout the booking process.
• Travel to trade events (e.g. CinemaCon) and circuit offices to conduct face-to-face meetings with exhibitor clients, distribution partners and vendors.
• Lead day to day communication with film buyers, establishing new relationships and deepening existing ones.
• Maximize box office revenue and screen utilization with strategic booking and holdover management.
• Collaborate closely with the VP, Marketing and Sr. Director, Brand & Franchise on paid exhibitor marketing and B2B opportunities. Oversee baseline exhibitor relations executed by Theatrical Sales team (e.g. trailer attachments / enclosures, one sheet and promotional collateral distribution).
• Enforce standards for internal box office reporting and general record keeping.
• Analyze and apply industry trends to support box office expectations and performance modeling.
• Manage Theatrical Sales department colleagues, delegating as appropriate and helping mentor junior team members.
• Collaborate with the Accounting department and VP, Distribution on projecting and settling film rental.
• Manage and negotiate with distribution vendor services, seeking out new partnerships and savings as appropriate.
• Work cross functionally with senior leadership across marketing, creative services, and home entertainment departments to build holistic distribution strategy for major releases.
Qualifications:
• 7+ years of experience in theatrical sales, which ideally includes handling of alternative content releases.
• Proven success at leading theatrical sales for 1,000+ screen releases as well as • Deep exhibitor network and established familiarity with circuits and buyers.
• Deep understanding of box office trends, exhibitor operations, and key industry tools.
• Excellent strategic thinking, financial acumen, and communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple releases simultaneously.
• Proficiency in "clean" record-keeping, box office reporting, Microsoft Excel and theatrical software (TDS, Rentrak).
GKIDS is a film distributor focused on the best animation from around the globe. Our films have received fifteen Academy Award nominations, and one win for The Boy and the Heron. GKIDS handles the Studio Ghibli library of films, including such classics as My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away. Recent and upcoming releases Kiki's Delivery Service 4K, Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom and Godzilla Minus Zero. GKIDS is now a US-based subsidiary of TOHO, the iconic Japanese studio responsible for Godzilla, the films of Akira Kurosawa, My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, and more.
