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 visually showcase the University's mission of excellence in teaching, learning, and research. To illustrate the innovation and tradition of the Harvard brand, the creative team produces original, emotion-evoking content, employing both traditional and conceptual approaches.

Documenting the impact of Harvard through various creative executions, ranging from photography in all its formats to short-form video and moving images, the team produces visual assets for use across 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 Photographer/Content Creator works with a team of creatives, documenting university life and developing content for multiple platforms—conceptualizing, photographing, filming, and editing news driven and creative assets. A successful Photographer/Content Creator will be able to produce high-end work as varied as creating a compelling portrait to filming a quick TikTok to photographing a campus event. . Applicants will be evaluated based on their visual storytelling acumen, demonstrated fresh approaches to editorial photography, written and interpersonal communication skills, ability to work independently, utilization of evolving multimedia tools across platforms, and understanding of higher education and academic values.

Position Description

Responsibilities include:

• Execute high-quality digital photography on and off campus, using the latest photography techniques to tell great stories.
• With guidance from senior staff, brainstorm, conceptualize and produce photo shoots.
• Ideate, shoot, and edit short-form video, looped imagery, and other emerging formats.

• Cover a variety of news stories and events under deadline, sometimes with little notice; serve as an expert portraitist

• Pitch visually innovative and original approaches to this coverage, as it evolves, focusing on the online experience and demonstrating an understanding of the different platforms and audiences.
• Create bespoke photo illustrations and simple graphics in a fast-paced daily workflow.
• Manage metadata, image files and equipment.
• Postproduction and editing of all photography and short form video.
• Perform photo research for distinctive story treatments (as needed)

Basic Qualifications

Five (5) or more years of professional experience with editorial photography, filming experience including digital asset management systems, photo processing, metadata, lighting, and post-production digital imaging in a Mac-based computer environment. Available to travel nationally/internationally and work evenings and weekends as needed.

Consistent with industry standard, online portfolio and reel are required for consideration.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Additional Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree or equivalent practical experience preferred.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite with expertise in Adobe Premiere, Media Encoder, and Photoshop. Familiarity with Photo Mechanic and Adobe Rush is helpful.
• Experience working in media, publishing, or non-profit organization.
• Organizational skills, including the ability to multi-task and prioritize.
• Design a variety of photo-based graphics and illustrations using Adobe software
• Ability to provide courteous photo direction and guidance to high-profile subjects, including the members of the Office of President & Provost.
• Dedication to inclusive best practices.
• Ability to employ innovative photo techniques and openness to experimentation and new storytelling formats.
• Experienced with licensing rights 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 be a self-starter who can work independently as well as within a team.
• Passion for telling stories through the lens of journalism.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with frequent priority shifts.

Additional Information

This position requires a 3 month orientation and review period.

Salary Grade: 056

Union: 55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

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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