Multimedia Specialist/Photographer

24-Jul-2024

University Administration

66318BR

Job Summary

Department Overview:
The Harvard Public Affairs & Communications (HPAC) creative team produces compelling stories and campaigns on university priorities, campus updates and innovations, and current events to showcase the University's mission of excellence in teaching, learning, and research. The creative team supports that mission with dynamic original content, employing both traditional and conceptual approaches.

Documenting the impact of Harvard through digital media, ranging from photography, graphic design, videography, and motion graphics, the team produces visual assets for use through all forms of media, including social platforms, web experiences, and newsletters. The creative team works across the university to capture the energy and experiences of real people, both in everyday life and during historic moments, to reach hundreds of thousands of people in our community locally and around the world.

Position Overview:
The Multimedia Specialist/Photographer works with a team of creatives, executing visual journalism for web and social— photographing, filming, editing photos and video, and performing image processing tasks to support ongoing new content creation and larger editorial initiatives. 

A self-starter and detail-oriented multitasker, they will develop their own creative content ideas in addition to working with the editorial team to help bring their ideas to life. They work closely across teams to help interpret and create visually compelling stories and other digital content. Ideally, this role will collaborate with graphic designers to help produce graphically driven stories to be used across channels and platforms.

Position Description

• Photograph assignments, execute high-level digital photography on and off campus as needed, using the latest photography tools, lights, and styles to edit and tell exceptional stories.

• Identify storytelling opportunities

• Produce and edit short-form video, looped imagery, and other emerging formats.

• Work closely with editorial leadership and team to understand visual/photo needs for assigned projects and prioritize accordingly.

• Pitch ideas that use multimedia and other innovative visual storytelling tools.

• Provide production assistance to designers, directors, and producers; prepare visual content for immersive online experiences.

• Manage pre-production, production, and post-production for a variety of multimedia projects.

• Populate databases, archives, calendars, and related tasks.

• Process camera RAW files with complete photo metadata and captions.

• Perform photo research for illustrative and distinctive story treatments.

Basic Qualifications

Five or more years of professional experience with editorial photography including but not limited to portraits and events, filming experience, facility with digital asset management systems, photo processing, metadata, lighting, and post-production digital imaging in a Mac-based computer environment.

Available to travel locally/nationally/internationally for various assignments and shoots, and work evenings and weekends as needed.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• BA/BS degree or equivalent practical experience preferred.

• Professional online portfolio with relevant work samples.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills (must be able to interface with multiple editors and outside resources independently on time-sensitive stories).

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite with expertise in Adobe Premiere, Media Encoder, and Photoshop. Familiarity with Photo Mechanic.

• Plan and produce compelling audio, video, photography, graphic elements, and written content to complement stories.

• Professional experience with Canon Mirrorless Cameras.

• Understanding of strobes, flashes, lights, and color temperature.

• Experience working in media, publishing, or non-profit organization.

• Ability to employ innovative photo techniques and openness to experimentation and new storytelling formats.

• Experienced with licensing rights and contracts for images, footage, and music.

• Exceptional eye for composition, contrast, and color.

• Knowledge of digital technology and social media trends, media requirements/codecs, and evolving best practices.

• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

• Ability to lift 40 pounds regularly.

Additional Information

A creative brief or similar exercise will be required as part of the interview process.

Work Format Details

This position is fully onsite and based in Cambridge, MA. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

Communications

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

405004 Comm Professional (N)

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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