Senior Acquisitions Director, Global

MUBI•New York, NY

About The Position

MUBI is seeking an exceptional Senior Acquisitions Director to join our Content team and lead the day to day operations of sourcing, evaluation, and securing of independent films that align with our mission to champion specialty cinema and auteur filmmakers. This role requires a seasoned acquisitions professional with a proven track record in film acquisitions, a sharp creative eye for emerging talent and commercial independent content, strong industry relationships, and demonstrated deal-making capabilities. As a senior member of our Acquisitions team, you will be responsible for identifying and pursuing compelling content for our global distribution footprint. Reporting directly to our SVP Distribution & Acquisitions, you will have significant input into shaping our content slate, developing the overall acquisition strategy, and making strategic recommendations which define our brand positioning in the overall market. As this is a global role, we are also considering applicants from the UK, to work at our London offices.

Requirements

Substantial prior experience in a film acquisitions capacity at a distributor, streaming platform, sales company, or production company, with demonstrated progression to a senior level (typically 8-12+ years in the industry, with at least 4-6 years focused on acquisitions)
Proven track record of successfully identifying, negotiating, and closing film acquisition deals, with demonstrable examples of acquired titles that performed creatively and/or commercially
Established network of trusted relationships with filmmakers, sales agents, producers' representatives, and key industry stakeholders across territories
Deep knowledge of the independent film ecosystem, including festival circuits, international markets, sales structures, and evolving distribution models
Demonstrated ability to evaluate both the creative merit and commercial potential of films across multiple genres, audience segments, and cultural contexts
Experience leading negotiations for complex licensing agreements and multi-territory distribution deals, with strong understanding of deal structures and rights valuation
Comprehensive understanding of film finance, including P&L modeling, minimum guarantees, rights valuations, and platform-specific economics (theatrical, streaming, VOD)
Deep, current knowledge of the evolving distribution landscape, including theatrical exhibition, streaming economics, PVOD/TVOD windows, and hybrid release strategies
Exceptional eye for talent and storytelling, with the ability to spot breakout films and emerging auteurs
Strong analytical and financial acumen combined with excellent negotiation skills and the ability to balance creative vision with business objectives
Outstanding communication and relationship-building abilities with a collaborative approach to cross-functional work
Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for independent cinema and championing diverse voices in film

Responsibilities

Scout, track, and evaluate independent films, art house content, and commercial indie projects at pre-buy and finished film stages for theatrical distribution
Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the global theatrical independent film landscape, including emerging filmmakers, genre trends, and both international and domestic cultural movements that align with our brand
Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of acquisition opportunities across narrative features, documentaries, and specialty content targeting 12-18 titles per year
Represent the company at major film festivals and markets including Sundance, Berlin, Cannes, Toronto (TIFF), SXSW, AFM and other key industry events
Build and maintain relationships with filmmakers, sales agents, producers' representatives, and international distributors to ensure early access to compelling content
Monitor festival submissions and early buzz to identify breakout or pre-buy titles before they reach the competitive acquisition stage
Lead negotiations for acquisition deals, working closely with our Legal, Business Affairs and Finance teams on deal terms and contract structuring
Evaluate financial models, P&L projections, and distribution strategies to inform acquisition recommendations and pricing decisions
Develop and maintain a multi-year independent film acquisition strategy in collaboration with the SVP that supports company branding, commercial objectives, and company OKRs
Provide market intelligence, competitive analysis, and industry trend insights to inform content strategy and positioning decisions
Liaise closely with Distribution, Marketing, and Programming teams to ensure acquired titles are positioned for optimal performance across all platforms
Present comprehensive acquisition recommendations to senior leadership with supporting creative analysis, financial modeling, and strategic rationale