Assistant Director, Photo and Video
Southern Methodist University Inc

Job Info

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Description

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and 90 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, hands-on research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs. The University offers a strong foundation in the humanities and sciences and undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs through eight schools.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is increasingly recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical leaders in their professions and communities. On the most beautiful college campus in the country, SMU Mustangs are energized by unbridled opportunities - from teaching, learning and research to creativity, performance and athletic endeavor.

About the Department:

Development and External Affairs (DEA) supports SMU by securing funding for University priorities; by promoting meaningful involvement in the life and work of the University; by heightening international, national, state and local awareness of SMU; and by supporting the enrollment of a diverse and able student body.

DEA comprises the offices of Office of the Vice President, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, Development Services, Program Services and Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Principal and Major Gifts, and School and Project Development.

SMU continues to leverage the benefits from the largest fund-raising campaign in its history to achieve dramatic increases in academic quality and impact.

About the Position:

The Assistant Director supports the management and production of photo and video content for a variety of audiences and projects. Responsibilities include: administration, scheduling, editing, post production, maintaining digital archives and online photo/video resources, assisting with photo and video equipment, overseeing and training students and freelancers and serving as a backup to the Director in the leadership and direction of certain projects. Scheduling photography and videography in service to MarCom, clients and partners, and collaborating with the University photographer and videographer on location and in the studio. Expertise includes knowledge of best practices for accessibility, archiving and sharing of electronic files.

Essential Functions:

• Provide project management for the photo and video team, including overseeing photo/video customer service requests with the goal to strengthen relationships with campus clients and partners. Manage the photo and video request intake, hire and assign in-house or freelance photography and videography resources and process photo/video billing.
  
• Execute and oversee the uploading, processing and archiving files to deliver digital archives to partners quickly; editing and color-correcting images, applying metadata for efficient search and identification in the Universities' DAM system; maintain equipment; train and oversee student and freelance resources in departmental post-production processes; Research and train in new software and techniques to advance the technology and efficiency of the Photo/Video department for rapid response and retrieval of images and assurance of the best quality images.
  
• Take lead on assigned projects and initiatives on Director's behalf. Serve as an independent project and creative manager in the execution of department processes.
  
• Collaborate with the University photographers and videographers on location and in studio as needed. Assignments include but are not limited to event coverage, faculty/staff head shots and campus stock photography for use in marketing materials, social media and web, publications, presentations, and other communication needs, including those in support of our $1.5 billion fundraising campaign, student recruitment and donor recognition.
  
• Maintain standard office procedures and best practices for post-production process and archiving all digital assets. Update SMU photo/video guidelines as needed, working with the Creative Director of Photo/Video. Attend staff or assignment meetings and preparing reports as required
  
• Partner with other marketing colleagues to improve and enhance creative photo and video components of larger efforts including the comprehensive fundraising campaign.
  

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor's degree is required.

A minimum of one year of work experience is required. Experience in scheduling, post-production, and photo and video production is also required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also demonstrate a high level of initiative on assignments, with the ability to work with minimal supervision and follow through with appropriate actions.

Candidate must have strong organizational, planning, and time management skills with the ability to simultaneously work on multiple projects with varying deadlines. Must also have a strong focus on attention to detail is essential. Strong project management skills are essential.

Candidate must have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. Must also have a strong working knowledge of and/or experience Premiere and Lightroom.

Experience with and/or knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, PhotoShop, After Effects, PhotoMechanic, Final Cut Pro, Asana, and/or Filemaker preferred.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Bend, squat, stand, kneel
• Reach above shoulders
• Handle objects (dexterity)
• Push/pull
• Carry/lift 25-50 lbs.
• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

July 15, 2022

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by July 5, 2022.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

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