PMC: Lead TV Programmer, SXSW

SXSW, the largest cultural event in the United States, is hiring a Lead TV Programmer to oversee TV programming across the Film & TV Festival and Conference, leveraging deep television industry or live-events experience to build on a 15-year commitment to TV's role in the cultural conversation. This is an opportunity to revolutionize further how the world views and talks about television as a creative medium, and it calls for someone with an open mind and big ideas about how to celebrate TV in a festival context.

Expertise bordering on obsession with TV's history and future is a must for the job, which is responsible for increasing the quantity and quality of TV programming at SXSW, both in terms of what is screened (world premieres of new series, returning seasons of acclaimed shows, top-tier international productions, impactful reunions) and how it is discussed. That will entail seeking out and screening the best work being produced for TV in all its forms (scripted, nonfiction/reality, animation, limited series, variety/talk shows) and inviting the talent — showrunners and stars — to represent that work via behind-the-scenes panels, Q&As with creators, and deep-dive conversations.

SXSW values in-person collaboration and team cohesion, employees work onsite 4 days a week from the Austin headquarters and 1 day remotely with a focus on maintaining a vibrant and inclusive culture.

Duties & Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Track and screen a high volume of current and upcoming work from networks and streamers.
Bring the medium's best new shows, limited series, documentaries, and more to SXSW for world premieres of unreleased episodes.
Book TV's most talented showrunners, writers, and cast to SXSW to join substantial discussions about their creative process (more than just a promotional opportunity; SXSW brings together savvy audiences, aspiring storytellers, and industry pros).
Generate bold new ideas about how festivals can represent a medium that spans many hours (if not years/seasons).
Share a deep understanding of TV industry history and trends, including an ability to foresee how the medium is evolving and translate that into informative panels.
Cultivate relationships with a wide range of press and media, giving them reason to attend and cover the TV program at SXSW.
Recruit relevant journalists, experts, and thought leaders to host provocative (but always respectful) conversations at both the festival and conference.
Demonstrate professionalism and poise when presenting before large audiences, including the capacity to moderate thoughtful Q&As.
Devise forward-thinking processes to solicit, evaluate, and curate a high volume of episodic, nonfiction, animated, and limited-run work to screen at SXSW.
Inspire enthusiastic, TV-savvy colleagues; recruit freelance screeners to manage the expanding volume of work being considered.
Ability to adhere to a disciplined programming schedule with multiple deadlines across timelines.
Keen attention to detail and the ability to confirm, advance, and manage key logistics for the TV program, leveraging internal tools, processes, and resources.
Familiarity with Airtable to track projects and share contacts with co-workers in the Film & TV programming department.

On-Site Event Responsibilities

Maintain full availability throughout the SXSW Film & TV Festival & Conference, including evenings and weekends.
Introduce and host select TV events, while overseeing a wide range of moderators across the Festival & Conference.
Delegate duties to team members, seasonal staff, and volunteers, while remaining responsible for multiple elements running concurrently.
Assist with hosting TV events, acting as a professional and welcoming Film & TV Team ambassador.

Qualifications & Skills

At least 5 years of experience booking or programming TV-focused events, festivals, or conferences.
Strong written communication skills.
Ability to maintain a professional and calm demeanor under pressure, particularly during high-volume periods and the festival itself.