MISSION & VISION

Open Television (OTV) is a non-profit streaming platform and media incubator that centers intersectional storytelling and the creative visions of artists. Our mission is to transform how the film, television, and entertainment industries support independent artists and marginalized communities. Through intentional artist development and community building, we aim to activate and empower the next generation of storytellers.

OTV is a space where queer, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, people of color, disabled individuals, recent graduates, caregivers, immigrants, and anyone impacted by systemic oppression or gender-based violence can thrive on their own terms. If that’s you, we want you here! At OTV, you’ll be part of a close-knit, nimble team that fosters collaboration and growth, with plenty of opportunities for career advancement. Join us and help shape the future of storytelling.

Aymar Jean Christian, Sarah Minnie, Elijah McKinnon and Chris Walker, OTV Studio Soft Launch, Felton Kizer

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Co-Director, Initiatives and Partnerships is a senior leader at Open Television (OTV), responsible for developing and executing artist-centered programs and sourcing and negotiating strategic partnerships that advance the organization’s mission. This role will own the vision and execution of fellowships, labs, residencies, and original productions, while managing relationships with artists, alumni, community stakeholders, and industry partners. With oversight of OTV’s artist development pipeline, creative initiatives, and internal productions, the Co-Director will ensure all programming is grounded in care, innovation, and OTV’s commitment to intersectional storytelling. They will collaborate across departments and supervise staff, consultants, and vendors to drive impact, revenue, efficiency, and creative excellence.

PROFILE OVERVIEW:
You thrive at the intersection of artist development, strategic partnerships, and mission-driven leadership. You are a relationship-builder and strategic thinker who understands how thoughtful programs, strong partnerships, and well-resourced creative ecosystems can expand opportunities for artists. Collaboration, innovation, care, and accountability guide your work.

You care deeply about cultivating the next generation of intersectional storytellers and creating environments where artists can develop, create, and thrive on their own terms. You bring strong leadership, sound judgment, operational rigor, and an ability to translate ambitious ideas into sustainable initiatives. Whether building partnerships, guiding artists, managing teams and resources, or collaborating across executive leadership, you remain generative, adaptable, and focused on advancing meaningful opportunities for artists, communities, and OTV.

Core Responsibilities // Essential Functions:

Key Responsibilities:

Program & Partnership Strategy

Design, implement, and evolve programs and special projects tied to organizational priorities.
Proactively source new and existing partnerships across a wide range of sectors (i.e. creative, academic, technological, and civic institutions) to support programmatic growth, artist opportunities, and community impact.
Serve as lead liaison to mission-aligned collaborators, sponsors, and stakeholders—ensuring OTV’s programs are resourced, visible, and grounded in community.
Facilitate feedback loops and learning systems that assess program effectiveness and artist impact.
Drive strategic partnerships and initiatives that contribute to donor cultivation, institutional giving, and earned revenue strategies

Artist Development & Community Engagement

Lead the full artist development pipeline, including recruitment, consultation, resource delivery, mentorship, and alumni engagement.
Manage the curation and cultivation of annual artist slates, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and OTV’s distribution platform (#OTVAPP).
Guide fellows, cohort members, ambassadors and artists through development and production processes, offering both logistical and creative support.
Maintain strong relationships with non-profit leaders, independent creators, talent agents, producers, and studio reps across the local and national media landscape.
Manage OTV’s production infrastructure, including gear, software, vendor contracts, insurance, and freelance talent pools.

Administration, Supervision & Budgeting

Supervise a growing team of staff, fellows, and independent contractors within the Initiatives & Partnerships department.
Develop and manage programmatic budgets, including grant allocations, stipends, equipment, and production costs that are in accordance with best non-profit compliance practices.
Report regularly on program metrics, outcomes, and budgets to executive leadership and funders to ensure transparent and compliant communications.
Establish and refine best practices for ethical, efficient, and equity-centered workflows.
Work collaboratively with the governing body and fellow Co-Directors on cross-functional planning and organizational strategy.

Content Acquisition & Distribution Support

Lead the content acquisition strategy for new and returning projects, identifying and licensing high-quality work for distribution via the #OTVAPP.
Support the negotiation and execution of non-exclusive licensing agreements, ensuring ethical terms and clear communications with artists.
Collaborate closely with the Co-Director of Strategy & Distribution team to ensure effective promotion and contextualization of released content.
Align distribution and development strategies to maximize visibility and artist career advancement.

Key Qualifications:

Minimum 7–10 years experience in program design, creative development, or media arts leadership, with a strong record of supporting emerging artists and communities.
Deep knowledge of independent film/TV ecosystems, artist support infrastructures, ethical production practices and/or arts & culture non-profit administration.
Demonstrated ability to manage people, budgets, timelines, and partnerships across diverse sectors.
Experience designing and executing artist-centered initiatives, labs, fellowships, or residencies.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a collaborative and generative approach to leadership.
Passion for arts advocacy, cultural strategy, social equity, and nurturing new forms of storytelling.
Demonstrated capacity to travel domestically and internationally to cultivate partnerships and represent organizational priorities.

Commitment

This is a full-time leadership opportunity with a competitive compensation and benefits package for a Chicago-based resident.

Hybrid role: Flexible, with preference for Chicago-based applicants. This role requires regular travel to Chicago as well as national and international destinations for key organizational priorities, including staff collaboration, artist programming, studio activities, board meetings, retreats, donor engagement, and other moments where in-person leadership is essential.
Access to reliable, routine transportation across the Chicagoland area is required.
OTV’s Studio is located in Humboldt Park, Chicago.
This role involves occasional travel throughout Chicagoland and additional domestic and international travel as needed.

Compensation & Benefits

Open Television (OTV) is a queer, Black, and feminist-led nonprofit media company on a mission to transform the film/TV industry by cultivating the next generation of intersectional storytellers to dream, create, and thrive on their own terms. To support this mission, we provide:

$100,000–$110,000 annual base salary, commensurate with experience and aligned with equitable compensation practices
Eligibility for OTV’s pooled bonus structure — a performance-based incentive rooted in our values of equity and collaboration, rewarding Co-Directors for advancing organizational goals through shared accountability and collective success
Comprehensive health, dental, vision, LTD/STD insurance (fully covered)
4–6 weeks of full office closure each year
Unlimited vacation and PTO
Unlimited menstrual leave for people with uteruses
Monthly and annual stipends for professional development, wellbeing, and other fringe benefits
Additional creative opportunities and resources to support your artistic and professional practice

application process // how to apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter outlining their qualifications and experience to the OTV Careers Portal by 23:59 CST on Thursday, August 27, 2026. Tentative start date: October 5, 2026.

Open Television (OTV) is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Learn more about OTV’s approach to engagement at https://www.weareo.tv/engagement.

submissions open

CO-DIRECTOR, INITIATIVES & PARTNERSHIPS [FULL-TIME]