Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary:

This position leads all efforts in photography and visual storytelling for Dillard University to enhance the university’s brand reputation and storytelling across platforms. In addition, this position creates graphics and videos, takes photographs, produces social media, supports media relations and advertising, as well as writes content to amplify the University’s brand. This position will assist with strategy development for the following administrative support offices including Business and Finance, the General Counsel and Human Resources and Facilities.

** Responsibilities/Accountability:** ****

Acceptance of Mission: Dillard University is a historically Black institution that cultivates leaders who live ethically, think and communicate precisely, and act courageously to make the world a better place. Upon acceptance of this position, you’re agreeing to adhere to the Mission and Values of Dillard University and the responsibilities set forth.

Visual Communication:

• Serves as the university’s official internal photojournalist and studio photographer capturing stories that articulate the university’s mission, vision, people, brand, programs and strategies.

• Write captions, cutlines and social media content to complement photography and video productions.

• Edits, tag, renames, and archives digital images so they can be easily found and used within University marketing efforts

• Uses digital camera equipment to capture still photography and video content to produce material for production and makes artistic decisions regarding elements such as appropriate lighting, shooting angle, framing and placement, type of audio required, locations used, and use of movement and/or interviews

• Edits and assembles basic videos and photography, ensures consistency and relevancy to production, monitors the technical quality of the end product, and assists a producer/director regarding production plans and the physical realities of the production setting

• Manages the University’s photography management and sharing application (e.g. Flicker) and the university’s stream channels including YouTube, Vemeo and HBCU League Pass Plus to ensure currency and brand relevancy.

• Ensures the operational condition of departmental equipment by testing, performing repairs, and performing setups and preventive maintenance as appropriate and oversees the security, operation, and maintenance of equipment utilized in shooting and editing

• Film videos on set or location.

• Ensure that equipment for a shoot is present and working.

• Plan the shoot with the creative team and the client.

• Edit footage in post-production.

• Direct other camera operators so that the needed footage is acquired.

Subject Matter Expertise

• Develop an inclusive multimedia strategy to leverage branding of all administrative support programs including business and finance, human resources, facilities and real estate management
• Develop communication workflow with key University stakeholders to efficiently learn about and utilize information on administrative activities to incorporate into a comprehensive strategy
• Respond to and prioritize communications questions and requests for support
• Serve as Subject Matter Expert for issues regarding photography and videography.

Technical Knowledge:

• Advanced skills in Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator
• Advanced proficiency with DSLR cameras, android and i-phone photography and videography, basic lighting and audio
• Knowledge of and experience in photography and videography
• Knowledge of visual media content management systems
• Knowledge of emerging visual communications technology and applications for marketing and communications
• Basic proficiency in graphic design, social media, and basic web design
• Strong writing skills, especially for social media

Other Responsibilities :

• Assist the Director in training student employees, faculty and staff in departmental procedures and content creation
• Be available to work off-hours, nights, and weekends to meet deadlines and cover breaking news.
• Perform other essential duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director to contribute to the overall success of the Division of Marketing and Communications.
• Communicate professionally with clients, regulatory agencies, and the community. Present information effectively to different groups.
• Identify problems, gather data, draw accurate conclusions, and deal with information in written and oral formats. Pick up on non-verbal cues to help resolve problems.
• Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as required by the Director of Communications and Marketing
• Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with others

Qualifications :

• Bachelor's degree in Photography, Media Production, Communication, Information Technology, Graphic Art, or a related field.
• Experience in photography and videography is required.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and complete them promptly and accurately.
• Attention to detail and highly organized.
• Ability to work in a positive, professional, team-oriented manner with various people (students, faculty, staff, administrators, vendors, and members of the general public).
• Self-starter who takes the initiative, effectively takes the lead, follows through, and documents results.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Fluent in AP Style.
• Knowledge of online publishing and social media platforms.
• Proven ability in higher education, historically black colleges, and universities (preferred).
• Proven top-notch writing, grammar, editing, communication, and presentation skills.
• Understanding of marketing/advertising and journalism/public relations/mass communication.
• Excellence in judgment understands journalism/public relations/mass communication ethics/standards, thrives on deadlines, and is an avid consumer of the daily news.
• Examples of previous work will be required to demonstrate experience.

Physical requirements : May require sitting for long hours in front of a computer, walking around campus, and occasionally lifting to 30 lbs.