Art Director, Visual Storytelling (Photo/Video)

Overview

Our University Client in the SF/Bay Area lis seeking an Art Director for a 6 month assignment (hybrid/40 hours per week), focused on working hands-on and collaboratively with other department creatives and senior communications stakeholders to support the clients enterprise needs, the Office of Communications’ (OOC) goals and strategic initiatives.

**SEEKING Local SF/Bay Area candidates ONLY** – Candidates must be open to 1x per week in Office (Located in Mission Bay) and going onsite for photoshoots as needed.

The Art Director, Visual Storytelling, serves as the principal visual lead, translating the vision of UCSF’s brand through visual storytelling across owned and earned media and a wide variety of channels.

• This position reports to, and serves as the deputy for, the Creative Director. The Art Director leads, directs and manages a cross-functional team of at least three full-time creative FTEs plus freelance photographers and videographers.
• They shape objectives, lead and/or guide concept development through to final deliverables and experience. Their primary area of purview covers photography, video, and motion graphics and they experiment, enhance, and innovate how the client conveys its brand promise across stories.
• This position reports to, and serves as the deputy for, the Creative Director. The Art Director leads, directs and manages a cross-functional team of  three full-time creatives (Video Producer, Photographer) plus freelance photographers and videographers.
• They shape objectives, lead and/or guide concept development through to final deliverables and experience. Their primary area of purview covers photography, video, and motion graphics and they experiment, enhance, and innovate how the client conveys its brand promise across stories.
• The Art Director recommends changes to policies and practices, both at the department and at the enterprise level. They identify risks and respond accordingly, provide priority setting and workflow analysis. This role analyzes and resolves problems, interprets policies (e.g., fiscal management, HR, contracts and grants, resource management in defined areas) and demonstrates solid subject matter knowledge. They exercise judgment within defined procedures and policies to determine appropriate action.
• This job requires an ability to maintain high standards of accuracy and precision under tight deadlines, excellent judgment, creativity, ingenuity, persistence, an ability to actively participate in a highly collaborative, fast-paced, team environment, as well as excellent written and verbal communication skills. The candidate is detail-oriented and has a refined eye for good creative, with demonstrated ability to build a powerful narrative through visuals.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

•  Create, guide and oversee visual narratives to build compelling stories of impact
•  Art direct, commission and curate a rich resource of clients brand iconic imagery
•  Oversee broad video and multimedia program that serves editorial and leadership priorities
•  Foster collaboration with cross-enterprise creative partners to leverage and expand visual assets for enterprise-wide use
•  Engage with content partners, creatives and stakeholders to best convey the client’s story and brand impact across owned and earned media and in support of marketing initiatives, sometimes under tight deadlines
• Assess when to leverage internal resources and when to engage external creative partners to optimize deliverables and maximize available budget
• Lead, manage and mentor dedicated team of visual storytelling creatives
• Build, manage and negotiate usage rights for a roster of freelance photographers, videographers, multimedia creatives
• Build workflows to support and address wide-ranging needs from within the department and key partners
• Manage and promote a searchable digital asset database of iconic brand imagery for enterprise-wide us
• Manage the photo consenting process for patients in compliance with HIPAA regulations and for non-patients such as staff and students
• Create, update and promote the client brand visual protocols and guidelines to ensure consistent practices across the enterprise

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in related area and/or equivalent experience
• 12+ years related work experience:
  • Minimum 8 years’ experience managing creative teams
  • Minimum 8 years’ experience managing freelance videographers
  • Minimum 8 years’ experience commissioning and managing freelance photographers
  • Minimum 8 years’ experience overseeing brand storytelling
  • Minimum 6 years’ experience managing digital assets
  • Expertise in photo editing software, including Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom; video editing skills a plus
  • Strong organization skills, managing projects and timelines
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud software
  • Proficiency in Powerpoint, Word, Outlook, Excel and other Microsoft applications
  • Strong written, oral, and visual communication skills, with facility to interact at the most senior levels of an organization
  • Demonstrated problem-solver, with strong decision-making skills
  • Proven experience managing multiple projects and multi-faceted budgets to bring results in on time, on goal, and within financial constraints
  • Advanced ability to negotiate, with diplomacy, with both internal and external groups. Ability to advise and counsel persuasively, to align people around a common vision.
  • Possess clean creative style and have a very high aesthetic level – aligned with the vision of the brand

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in complex organizations such as academic, medical, and/or research institutions
• Experience using project management software
• Proactive project management skills relative to advising partners and constituents
• Familiarity with and interest in health care/sciences
• Knowledge of health information privacy rules

**Please note – there will be a Background Check as part of the onboarding for this client**

**The target hiring compensation range for this role is the equivalent of between $60.00-$65.00 an hour. Compensation is based on several factors including, but not limited to education, relevant work experience, relevant certifications, and location.  Additional benefits offered may include; medical health insurance and dental insurance, life insurance, and eligibility to participate in 401k plan with company match.**