African Creative TV Initiative Program Administrator

African Creative TV Initiative

Program Overview

The USC School of Cinematic Arts’ (SCA) American Film Showcase (AFS) runs a U.S. Department of State innovative exchange program, the African Creative TV Initiative (ACTV), aimed at training top TV producers in key TV markets in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. In collaboration with African TV broadcasters, international streaming services, and U.S. Missions in Africa, ACTV identifies eight African TV projects in development to participate in an 18-month training program. The initiative include a five-week exchange program for 16 top African producers and screenwriters at the USC School of Cinematic Arts focused on creative producing for TV and screenplay development. ACTV also produces a series of weeklong follow-on workshops on the African continent that continue to engage the original producers and their TV projects, but focus on below-the-line crew training including production management/line producing, production design, and post production.

Job Summary

The ACTV Program Administrator position will have the overall responsibility for all programmatic and administrative components of this project and work closely with AFS staff on budget oversight. This position will work collaboratively with selected SCA faculty and American TV professionals to design and deliver the various program components. The administrator will work closely with the AFS staff, U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassy counterparts, key contacts at in the American and international TV industry, African TV studio and broadcasters, and the broader African film and TV community in order to successfully deliver these workshops.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience with program management as well as preexisting knowledge of and relationships within the both the American and African TV markets. This candidate should be a natural leader and collaborator, an exceptional written and oral communicator, flexible and calm in the face of challenges, and passionate about talent development.

This position is based in Los Angeles at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. It is a full-time, hybrid in-person and remote, fixed-term position. 

Responsibilities

• Develop the operational and administrative vision of the African Creative TV Initiative within the SCA and U.S. Department of State context. Conduct research, establish realistic program goals, develop content of each of the workshops with key stake holders. Responsible for the preparation of all required external and internal written materials related to the initiative.
• Serve as the primary liaison between ACTV and the funding body, the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, collaborating and updating on program research plans, industry relationship building, project selection process, workshop goals and design, and program impact.
• Oversee the day-to-day implementation of the program, working with AFS, faculty and outside U.S. TV professionals to develop curriculum and course goals, as well as the SCA community to produce on-campus training workshops.
• Responsible for identifying, developing, and maintaining key relationships within the African TV ecosystem, ranging from multinational media companies to independent producers and directors. Effectively communicate the programmatic elements and goals of the ACTV initiative to these potential partners.
• In collaboration with the State Department and African partners, develop and oversee the recruitment and selection process for the ACTV workshops participants. Track and maintain an ACTV alumni network.
• Recruit and develop a network of SCA faculty and American/international TV industry professionals to serve as instructors and mentors, throughout the course development, instruction, and through the completion of each course. Establish performance standards and evaluation strategies; recommend and implement course changes as appropriate.
• Navigate cross-cultural settings and successfully bridge gaps in understanding between American/international instructors and African partners and participants. Tactfully work with instructors to assure that course content is relevant and respectful in each cultural context.
• Collaborate with AFS leadership to develop and draft new proposals for additional programming that builds on the ACTV initiative for subsequent funding cycles or for public-private partnerships in support of the program.
• Manage the Program Coordinator who will oversee all logistical, accounting, and technical aspects of the partnership.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested. The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree, preferred in film, television or related programming work experience; combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
• Pre-existing awareness and interest in the African cinema and television industries, and a strong sense of international socio-political geography
• Minimum seven years of work experience at a management leadership level in a related field
• Exceptional writing and communication skills
• Budget organization and management
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to oversee multiple projects daily
• Adaptable and resourceful in the face of unexpected problems
• Outstanding people skills to collaborate with many types of individuals in diverse cultural settings
• Problem identification and resolution
• Ability to travel internationally, particularly in Africa

Preferred Qualifications

• International work experience, preferably in Africa, as a filmmaker, producer, executive, senior manager, or consultant
• Significant relationships with African film/TV talent and organizations
• Experience in the American film/TV industry

The salary range for this position is $82,992-$90,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 3 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Directly related professional experience in area of program specialization.