Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Startup Operator

Position: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Startup Operator

Type: Role with equity, with potential to grow into a full-time opportunity

Location: Remote

Reports To: Board of Directors / Founders

The CEO will provide strategic and operational leadership for SEP, ensuring creative projects and company operations run smoothly while helping execute the company’s vision. This is an equity-based and highly collaborative role, offering the opportunity to grow into a larger position as the company scales.

This is a unique chance for a hands-on, mission-driven leader who thrives in a startup environment, has experience in independent film or media production, and enjoys combining creative vision with operational execution.

About Snarky Elephant Productions (SEP)

Snarky Elephant Productions (SEP) is a visual content production company that creates scripted and unscripted stories that “address the elephant in the room, in a snarky way.” We produce emotionally rich visual content that explores the underrepresented human experience, championing emerging creators whose identities inspire them to defy societal barriers, challenge convention, and shift cultural standards. Our mission is to change company cultures, the entertainment industry, and broader global sensitivities through darkly amusing, inventive storytelling that chronicles the complexities of the human spirit.

Since 2018, SEP has garnered attention at major independent and established film festivals, including Tribeca, Sundance, Dances With Films, and Outfest, amongst others. The company recently wrapped and released Bad Brown Kids — one of the first dark comedy vertical series created by and led by a predominantly South Asian cast and crew — and is currently in production on the feature film Lillian Next Door, starring four-time Academy Award nominee Jane Alexander. SEP and its projects have also been spotlighted in major publications, including Deadline, Variety, The Advocate, ELLE India, Mashable, and many more, further cementing the company’s reputation for bold, culturally resonant storytelling.

For more information, visit www.snarkyelephant.com

Key Responsibilities

A. Leadership & Strategy

• Collaborate with founders to set quarterly and annual company goals, including slate development, talent acquisition, strategic partnerships, and growth initiatives.
• Lead quarterly planning sessions and provide monthly status updates on operational and project progress to founders and advisory board.
• Advise on major creative and strategic decisions, including:
• Greenlighting projects with a variety of budget sizes
• Key hires for directors, lead talent, and department heads
• Setting company fundraising and investment goals
• Partnerships or collaborations with production companies, distributors, or brands
• Track company performance metrics, including project timelines, budget adherence, and audience engagement benchmarks.

B. Day-to-Day Operations

• Project scheduling and milestone tracking
• Crew and vendor coordination for multiple concurrent projects
• Ensure internal processes (project documentation, approvals, and reporting) are clear and consistently followed.
• Serve as the operational point of contact for external collaborators, including freelancers, contractors, and service providers.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to staff and interns to improve efficiency, quality, and collaboration.

C. Financial Oversight

• Monitor and manage operational budgets for the company and individual projects.
• Track cash flow and spending against budget, ensuring financial sustainability.
• Collaborate with founders on fundraising, investor reporting, and equity-based compensation.
• Approve operational spending within agreed thresholds, escalating strategic financial decisions as needed.

D. Project Oversight

• Ensure projects meet deadlines, budgets, and creative standards.
• Act as operational liaison between producers, creative teams, and external collaborators.

E. Public-Facing / Industry Engagement

• Represent SEP at film festivals, industry panels, investor meetings, and networking events.
• Maintain relationships with talent, agents, partners, and financiers, including regular check-ins.
• Assist with public communications, press announcements, and festival-related messaging.
• Serve as a visible advocate for SEP’s mission, diversity, and inclusive storytelling.

Qualifications & Requirements

Must-Have:

• Proven leadership and management experience, ideally in a startup, independent film, or creative production environment.
• Strong understanding of film and TV production, budgeting, and operational workflows.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects part-time while maintaining strategic oversight.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Film/Media, or related field (advanced degrees preferred).

Preferred:

• Experience with independent production companies, incubator programs, or festival circuits.
• Familiarity with startup growth, fundraising, and equity-based compensation.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in creative industries.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates should email jobs@snarkyelephant.com with:

• Resume
• Cover letter explaining why they are a good match for this role and SEP’s mission

Notes:

• This is an equity-based role
• SEP values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, and veterans to apply.
• SEP is an equal opportunity employer; applicants will not be discriminated against on any legally protected basis.

Please include the phrase: “We address the elephant in the room.” in your submission email or application.