Director, Film, Culture and Community

About Japan Society

Japan Society is the premier organization connecting Japanese arts, culture, business, and society with audiences in New York and around the world.

At Japan Society, we are inspired by the Japanese concept of kizuna (絆)—forging deep connections to bind people together. We are committed to telling the story of Japan while strengthening connections within New York City and building new bridges beyond. In over 100 years of work, we’ve inspired generations by establishing ourselves as pioneers in supporting international exchanges in arts and culture, business and policy, as well as education between Japan and the U.S.

Now, more than ever, we strive to convene important conversations on topics that bind our two countries together, champion the next generation of innovative creators, promote mutual understanding, and serve as a trusted guide for people everywhere who seek to more fully appreciate the rich complexities and abundance of Japan.

From our New York headquarters, a landmark building designed by architect Junzo Yoshimura that opened to the public in 1971, we look forward to the years ahead, which will be defined by our digital and ideational impact through the kizuna that we build. 

Position Overview

Japan Society seeks an experienced, visionary, and operationally rigorous Director of Film, Culture & Community to drive the strategy, curation, and execution of public and member programming across contemporary Japanese culture—including film, television, anime, manga, food, fashion, literature, music, and gaming.

Reporting to executive leadership, the Director will architect high-impact cultural experiences—from film screenings and premier festivals like JAPAN CUTS to workshops, lectures, and major receptions. This leader will activate our landmark spaces, energize our membership, and broaden Japan Society’s footprint within global creative networks.

This role offers a distinctive opportunity to help Japan Society engage audiences across generations, drawing on rising interest in Japanese culture among younger communities while deepening the reach, relevance, and sense of community of a leading cultural institution. The ideal candidate is a dynamic leader who can bring operational focus, creative energy, and momentum to this moment of increased attention to Japanese culture.

Responsibilities

Curatorial Leadership & Program Strategy

• Direct curatorial vision and long-range programming across film and multidisciplinary contemporary culture.
• Lead programming for signature initiatives, including forming the curatorial team and co-programming the annual JAPAN CUTS festival.
• Research, evaluate, and secure classic and contemporary film titles, negotiate licensing and rental fees with domestic and international distributors/lenders, and oversee print traffic.
• Source, commission, and collaborate with guest curators, artists, scholars, and industry leaders across Japan and the United States.
• Pitch program concepts to leadership and negotiate talent agreements and institutional partnerships.

Program Production & Event Execution

• Oversee end-to-end event production, from initial concept through day-of execution and post-event wrap-up.
• Supervise operational workflows, including internal function forms, marketing assets, technical rundowns, and box-office coordination.
• Contract and direct technical personnel (projectionists, audio engineers, videographers, photographers) and front-of-house staff/volunteers.
• Manage talent relations and hospitality logistics (travel, lodging, car services, green rooms, interpreters, and VIP management).
• Host events, deliver opening remarks, and moderate panel discussions or Q&A sessions as needed.

Outreach, Partnerships & Industry Relations

• Serve as an organizational ambassador across the film, media, and cultural sectors in New York City, throughout the U.S., and across Japan.
• Build strategic co-presentations, cross-promotions, and touring initiatives with peer institutions to expand geographic reach and share production costs.
• Maintain an active network of industry contacts, distributors, studios, cultural agencies, and talent managers.

Development & Marketing Collaboration 

• Partner with the Development team to identify funding prospects, draft grant proposals, build sponsor decks, and participate in patron cultivation.
• Work closely with the Media & Marketing team to establish targeted audience development strategies, refine event positioning, and co-write promotional copy and press releases.

Fiscal Management & Team Leadership

• Develop and manage the annual department budget, monitoring revenue, expenses, and operational pacing.
• Directly supervise, mentor, and evaluate departmental staff, contractors, interns, and volunteers.
• Maintain cross-departmental alignment to ensure seamless institutional operations.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience in film programming, live arts curation, cultural event production, or related multidisciplinary leadership.
• Robust professional network within Japanese cinema, media industries, and contemporary cultural sectors across both the U.S. and Japan.
• Demonstrated track record directing live event production, including technical staging, AV requirements, talent logistics, and front-of-house operations.
• Practical expertise in film rights clearances, print sourcing, distributor negotiations, and exhibition formats.
• Proven experience managing departmental budgets, team members, and external vendors.
• Exceptional communication, public speaking, and intercultural stakeholder management skills; professional proficiency in Japanese is strongly preferred.
• Ability to work on-site at Japan Society’s Midtown Manhattan headquarters.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States (Japan Society cannot provide visa sponsorship for this role).

Compensation & Schedule

This is a full-time, exempt position based at Japan Society’s Midtown Manhattan headquarters with an annual salary range of $115,000 – $130,000, commensurate with experience. 

Japan Society operates on a hybrid schedule requiring in-office presence Tuesday through Thursday (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM), with remote flexibility on Mondays and Fridays, as well as occasional evening and weekend hours for live event coverage.

Total Rewards & Benefits
Japan Society offers an exceptional, highly subsidized benefits package designed to deliver comprehensive health protection, long-term financial planning, and sustainable work-life balance:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits: Premium medical insurance, backed by an employer-funded Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) that directly covers out-of-pocket medical copays and prescription costs, optional pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and employer-paid dental and vision coverage.
• Retirement Planning: Following six months of service, employees are eligible for an employer contribution of up to 10% of base salary, fully funded by Japan Society with no employee match required. Staff may also elect to make pre-tax contributions to an optional Supplemental Retirement Annuity (SRA).
• Disability: 100% employer-sponsored short-term disability, long-term disability, and basic life insurance.
• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefit: Transit and parking flexible spending accounts to reduce daily commuting expenses.
• Paid Holidays: A robust time-off package including 15 vacation days, 10 sick days, 11 paid holidays, and paid Summer Fridays.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and relevant portfolio links or work samples (PDF or website URL). Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.