Digital Storyteller - Strategic Marketing & Communications

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.