University Photographer - Digital Asset Coordinator

Definition of Classification:

The University Photographer/Digital Asset Coordinator is a key member of the Strategic Marketing & Communications team, creating, conceptualizing, and providing compelling and time-sensitive visual assets to enhance recruitment marketing efforts, brand awareness, and reputation-building activities for University of Redlands.

The University Photographer/Digital Asset Coordinator reports to the Director of Content & Creative Strategy and collaborates with colleagues in marketing, creative, social media, web, and media relations. The University Photographer/Digital Asset Coordinator is a creative visual storyteller and asset creator who conceptualizes, plans, coordinates, and conducts photo shoots; edits; obtains approvals; and provides publish-ready photo assets for digital and traditional advertising, social media channels, Redlands.edu, events, etc. The University Photographer/Digital Asset Coordinator will stage and art direct photoshoots for special needs such as the Och Tamale magazine and Admissions viewbooks. The University Photographer/Digital Asset Coordinator will have an outcomes mindset, paying close attention to what is working well based on quantitative and qualitative factors to inform future strategies and projects.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conceptualize the creative expression of the University through photography and use creative expertise to bring the brand to life.
• Stage and art direct high-end, conceptual photoshoots for the cover and feature stories of Och Tamale magazine, admissions viewbooks, recruitment ads and brochures, and other reputational needs.
• Deploy artistic vision, creativity, photographic skills, and knowledge of photography software to capture, edit, and deliver impactful images, using both natural and artificial lighting.
• Develop creative briefs and mood boards (visual research) to obtain buy-in and approval of concepts from key stakeholders prior to photo shoots.
• Develop creative and impactful multimedia solutions tailored to a variety of platforms:
• digital advertising, social media, web, presentations, events, etc.
• Create an asset of brand photography with primary focus on targeting undergraduate students and their influencers.
• Serve as the project manager to schedule and coordinate photo shoots.
• Determine resources necessary for photo productions.
• Operate and direct the operation of complex photo equipment.
• Perform routine equipment checks/maintenance; maintain photo equipment, ensuring that repairs and maintenance are done on a timely basis.
• Requisition, issue, catalogue, control, and store equipment; evaluate and recommend purchase of new equipment.
• Perform equipment troubleshooting of field equipment and studio equipment.
• Maintain digital asset management system (online photo and video library). Determine the proper tags and keywords (names of people, buildings, events, etc.); add keywords, captions, titles to images, including photographer credits, for search optimization.
• Performs recordkeeping and media cataloging as needed.
• Work with partners to collect and determine needs most relevant for intended audience.
• Helps find, edit, and provide digital assets for a variety of needs including, but not limited to website, presentations, magazines, etc.
• Keep skills current with the latest versions of software, hardware, and industry trends, as applicable to performance of assigned duties.

Key Responsibilities:

Creative and technical skills:

• Strong understanding of visual storytelling through the medium of photography.
• Excellent photo editing skills (selecting photos, editing, color corrections).
• Proficient in digital asset management, tagging assets, organizing files, naming conventions, etc.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office.
• Expertise in photography equipment and lighting.
• Strong understanding of capabilities and limitations of technology in executing photographic deliverables.

Soft skills:

• Creative, self-motivated, and able to work on multiple projects independently as well as part of a team.
• Enjoys creative exploration and experimentation.
• Strong customer service skills in the performance of job duties, including being responsive, proactive, and pleasant.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: high emotional intelligence to interact with President’s Cabinet, Board of Trustees, students, faculty, staff, and alumni with no supervision.
• Willingness to collaborate with colleagues and tread carefully when it comes to sensitive issues.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Highly organized, self-starting individual with extreme attention to detail, accuracy, and precision; able to work independently with minimum supervision.
• A positive, can-do attitude.
• Always willing to learn; seeks first to understand.
• Ability to provide multiple creative solutions to visual problems within a designated timeframe.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to produce and work with others in a potentially demanding environment.
• Proactive: takes initiative to find out needed information; follows up on projects.
• Writing skills: the ability to write grammatically correct communications with proper spelling in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
• Reasoning: the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form. Ability to deal with problems involving variables in typical situations.
• Understanding of the importance of department confidence and safeguarding operations by keeping information confidential, as well as compliance with all safety and housekeeping policies and procedures.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in photography, multimedia, studio art, or graphic design.
• Three to five years of professional related experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A talented photographer and visual storyteller who is also detail-oriented, organized, and professional.
• Expertise in using and maintaining photography equipment, memory cards, hard drives, etc.
• Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Bridge, and Adobe Premiere Pro applications.
• Proficiency in digital asset management and file management.
• Technical proficiency uploading assets to social media channels: YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and more.
• Technical proficiency in updating assets on websites using a content management system.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.

To apply: Please submit the following through the University of Redlands Employment Portal.

HIRING RANGE: Anticipated hiring range is near or at the minimum of the classification, commensurate with candidate's education, experience, skills, and training. The University of Redlands is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range considers the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is defined as the Full Pay Range. The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is defined as the Hiring Range. Placement within the Hiring Range is determined by internal equity, and relevant qualifications.

BACKGROUND CHECK: Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. The University will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current employee who was conditionally offered the position.

DRIVER'S LICENSE CHECK: Possession of a valid Driver's License is required for certain positions. Employees in positions that require a valid Driver’s License will be enrolled in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Government Employer Pull Notice Program which confirms possession of a valid driver's license and reflects driving record.

PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMS: For certain positions typically in Public Safety, Facilities, Athletics and Information Technology Services departments, employment is contingent upon a candidate passing a pre-employment physical exam with the ability to lift in excess of 50 lbs. Public Safety Officers, in addition to a pre-employment physical exam, will also be required to pass a psychological evaluation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT Human Resources (redlands.edu)

SUBMISSION OF A RESUME OR APPLICATION INDICATES AGREEMENT THAT THE UNIVERSITY MAY VERIFY ANY AND ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN.

MEMBERS OF UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER