Digital Storyteller - Strategic Marketing & Communications

Digital Storyteller - Strategic Marketing & Communications

Hiring Department: Brand Engagement

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1043373

FTE: 1

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Shift: Days

# of Positions: 1

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Salary Range (commensurate with experience): $65,000.00 - 75,000.00 / Annual Salary

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has nearly 260,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The Digital Storyteller is a multimedia and interdisciplinary strategic photographer and videographer for Strategic Marketing and Communications at the University of Illinois Chicago. The purpose of this position is to plan, produce and edit original photography and, at times, video productions for a variety of audiences and platforms. At the direction of and in collaboration with Director of Brand and Creative Communications, this position creates and disseminates original, high-quality images and multimedia content for a variety of audiences in support of goals related to advancing the reputation of the University of Illinois Chicago as well as university goals for recruitment, retention, student success, engagement, research and advancement.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Create and execute original, high-quality, strategic, branded photography and multimedia content as assigned.

• Assist with video production, including scouting, drone spotting, music and video production.
• Understand the range and nature of all photo and multimedia distribution channels used by Strategic Marketing and Communications and use that information to guide the creative process and final deliverables.
• Understand the target audiences for campaigns and communications and use that information to guide the creative process and relevancy of captured imagery.
• Study, adapt and incorporate contemporary photography creative techniques to maintain a fresh, current and authentic visual identity that supports the UIC brand.
• Stay relevant by keeping abreast of developments and changes in photography, multimedia storytelling, industry trends, technological innovation in both creating and viewing content, photo capture and editing, workflow and asset management.
• Take responsibility for care of multimedia production equipment.

Campus Outreach

• Serve as a visible member of the university community and provide assistance in photographic trends.
• Maintain consistent touch points with photo and communication team members to assist them with understanding photography trends and support them by demonstrating how the trends can be incorporated to enhance the visual brand of the university.
• Assist with multimedia efforts to train and provide resources and best practices for visual storytelling through branded photography styles to key communications staff both within Strategic Marketing and Communications and across campus.
• Manage an annual calendar of scouting and shooting of the 16 schools and colleges along with being informed and engaged with campus events and experiences, like commencement and convocation while coordinating with other campus photographers.

Photo Asset Management

• Assist with enhancing and maintaining a photo digital asset management system.
• Assist with the maintenance, organization, metadata tagging and sourcing of Strategic Marketing and Communication’s photo asset management system and archive (Photoshelter). Partner and coordinate with campus partners to curate and implement a university-wide approach and system.
• Assist Strategic Marketing and Communications staff and team members and campus partners with navigating the system and archive and retrieve collective photography assets for various campus messaging needs.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications Required:

1. Bachelor’s degree in film/video production, cinematography, radio and television, documentary film production, photojournalism, communications, graphic design, or a closely related field to the position.
2. One (1) year (12 months) of professional work experience in areas including non-linear video editing, motion graphics, video lighting and composition, camera operation, graphics design, audio recording, video production, or a closely related professional area.

NOTE: Master’s Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year (12 months) of work experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven organization, with demonstrated ability to tell authentic stories that support student recruitment, engagement, research, and institutional branding goals.
• Experience planning and executing photo and video shoots, including location scouting, lighting, audio capture, drone operations (FAA Part 107 certification preferred), and project coordination with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience producing content across multiple platforms and audiences, including social media, marketing campaigns, executive communications, recruitment initiatives, and editorial storytelling.
• Demonstrated proficiency with industry-standard creative software, including Adobe Creative Cloud products such as Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, Lightroom, and Audition.

To Apply: For fullest consideration click on the Apply Now button, please fully complete all sections of the online application including adding your full work history with specific details of your duties & responsibilities for each position held. Fully complete the education, licensure, certification and language sections. You may upload a resume, cover letter, certifications, licensures, transcripts and diplomas within the application.

Please note that once you have submitted your application you will not be able to make any changes. In order to revise your application you must withdraw and reapply. You will not be able to reapply after the posting close date. Please ensure the application is fully completed and all supporting documents have been uploaded before the posting close date. Illinois Residency is required within 180 days of employment.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.