Director of Videography / Photography

At Drive Social Media, we use real information about our clients’ businesses, and their customers, to create custom paid social media campaigns that are optimized for sales. We analyze clients’ data to learn who the customer is, why they are making their purchase, why they come back for more, and how the business should market to them with a goal of maximizing return on investment. ROI or DIE, all the way.

The Director of Videography/Photography (DVP), shoots compelling and engaging film, multimedia, and still content to support Drive Social Media’s digital marketing efforts. Simultaneously creating the visual dynamics of mood, tone, and style; in films and photo projects. Together with the videography/photography team members, the DVP coordinates the technical aspects of the film and photo process, such as lighting, visual effects, camera angles, and shots; to achieve the desired look for a particular project. Equally comfortable and productive, whether working autonomously or collaboratively in a daily role. Job duties also include location scouting, maintaining equipment, maintaining department’s budget, supervising direct reports, project management, and recruiting talent. Need to have a great eye for detail, strong leadership, ability to pivot, and excellent cross functional communication/collaboration skills.

• Please be advised – this position is in office, and does not allow for remote work*

Locations:

St. Louis, MO (headquarters)

Nashville, TN

Miami, FL

Responsibilities

• Oversees the creative direction, vision, planning, and execution of all videography and photography across all four the Drive Social Media offices (and growing!); in partnership with internal creative stakeholders and executive leadership – executing high level deliverables to the agency’s client partners.
• Responsible for collaborating on the department’s creative vision for each project including collaborating on shotlists/storyboards, providing creative input on shoots, post & music, working with directors, and other department leads, to execute video/photo vision
• Collaborates with business stakeholders: Director of Copy, Director of Graphics, Directors of Strategy, and Executive leadership; ensuring accurate representation of agency’s creative media in 400+ client presentations and strategy discussions
• Creates clear, differentiated, high-standards and scalable vision for video/photo creative within the organization
• Must be able to effectively articulate vision, present, and explain creative decisions/rationale to key internal stakeholders and external partners
• Directs the daily creative video/photo workflow to support agency creative goals and strategic workflows
• Oversees multiple projects through all stages of development, asset and content creation, from concept through to production, post, and final delivery
• Superior organizational skills, especially with large volumes of digital visual content including video and photo assets.
• Ability to problem-solve, think creatively, and offer solutions to get the job done when things don’t go as planned.
• Experience collaborating with multiple stakeholders at all levels of an organization with sometimes competing interests and using feedback to create a superior product.
• Comfortable working against short deadlines and in live settings
• Instills a passion for collaboration and teamwork throughout the department
• Collaborates on, and guides, the day to day work of all direct reports, giving them critical feedback and leading the generation of stellar ideas
• Manages and mentors agency’s video/photography teams, creating effective and well branded, cross-channel digital first creative
• Attracts and develop top creative talent as this role will have direct management responsibilities
• Coaches team members on presentation skills, interfacing with Sr. Leaders and client executive stakeholders
• Stays abreast of content and technology trends in the entertainment, video production, photography, motion graphic communities, and suggests new ways to implement these into the agencies process
• Cross functional team player – pitching in and delivering work wherever needed

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related field required
• 7+ years of exceptional skill and collaboration with photography, videography and design teams in concepting compelling campaigns with a digital first mindset, for social media marketing campaigns
• Possess an outstanding portfolio with multiple industry touchpoints, with a variety of deliverables represented
• Expert knowledge in photo and video principles; strong visual design sense, knowledge of typography & layout skills, keen eye for detail and brand identity awareness
• Experience working with marketing teams and demonstrated flexibility in management of creative execution needs, and ability to positively respond to critique/feedback
• Strong conceptual, communication, and critical thinking skills
• Fluency in current marketing practices and Adobe CC Suite; primarily Photoshop, Lightroom, After Effects, and Premier Pro (bonus for Media Encoder)
• Self-disciplined and motivated in a fast-paced environment that requires creativity, strong attention to detail, resourcefulness and organization
• Self-starter, positive attitude, sense of humor, and can work independently and values collaboration and feedback
• A true creative leader that sets an encouraging tone for the team, a collaborative spirit and a willingness to roll up sleeves when necessary to ensure that work gets done
• Interest and enthusiasm for small and medium size businesses, and making a positive impact for their digital presence.

Benefits

• Salary, plus quarterly bonuses based upon customer retention
• Eligible for full health, dental, vision benefits within the first 90 days of employment
• Drive pays 100% of premiums for STD, LTD, and Life Insurance
• 401k with up to a four percent match after your first full year at Drive
• Agile and fast paced environment
• Parking not included – but we’ve done the research and can help you locate a spot!

Drive Social Media