Video Director, Strategic Communications , Public Affairs

Position Summary

The video director leads video strategy and production for UC Berkeley’s Strategic Communications office. The director develops original video concepts, series and campaigns; oversees a video producer, contractors and student workers; and manages all aspects of production from planning through delivery. The director shapes video content for multiple audiences and platforms, including social media, web and internal communications. This hybrid position leads video strategy and production for Strategic Communications.

The video director is an experienced video professional capable of planning, shooting and editing videos independently or in conjunction with the expert communicators in the office. Projects may include introducing and explaining a world‑changing research breakthrough to audiences in the media and on social media, documenting the day when a faculty member finds out they won a Nobel Prize or creating short documentaries about compelling students, staff or faculty.

The video director will also develop stand‑alone video campaigns or series that further the communications goals of the office. The video director must work collaboratively across Strategic Communications – with writers, copy editors, graphic designers, and marketing communications, social media and brand management professionals under, at times, ambiguous circumstances. In that ambiguity, they must identify how video is a tool to further the team’s goals and then execute on that vision, keenly shaping the final product for its intended audience.

The director must also have a strong ability to navigate and communicate complex issues related to race, ethnicity, gender, ability and other intersectional topics. The video director must work effectively with a variety of campus leaders, faculty, and other stakeholders, ensuring efficient use of their time for video shoots and potential review/approvals of content. The video director must demonstrate a full understanding of industry standards and the accessibility best practices, as well as a fluency with using metrics and analytics to measure success and map out a content strategy.

This position will manage a video producer and a team of student workers and reports to the executive director of news and media relations, with a dotted line to the executive director of marketing and communications. Weekend and evening work may be required on occasion.

Conceptualizing, planning, shooting and editing videos that effectively illustrate the communications priorities of UC Berkeley. This includes developing repeatable formats for various channels as well as:

• Researching subjects and pre-interviewing
• Interviewing
• Script creation or co-creation
• Identifying, vetting, contacting and coordinating a wide variety of subjects with approving stakeholders while navigating complex issues of identity
• Scouting locations and acquiring permissions for their use
• Shooting videos that meet industry standards for lighting, color and sound
• Editing videos
• Creating a final product that meets approving stakeholders’ standards, Strategic Communications’ editorial guidelines and university accessibility requirements
• Providing the correct types of files to web, news and social media team colleagues in a timely manner

Supervision and creative direction:
Manage the work of a full-time video producer, contractors and student workers, including assigning projects, reviewing edits, providing feedback and ensuring quality and consistency across all video output.

Providing subject matter consultation to campus units and communications colleagues who look to Strategic Communications for guidance and advice on industry best practices.

Departmental

Collaboration:

Participate in regular planning meetings for news and communications campaigns, as well as meetings to analyze metrics and analytics.

Professional Development:
Maintains currency with current video trends and requirements, including accessibility requirements.

Other duties as assigned.

• Demonstrated ability to develop original video concepts, series formats or campaigns that advance organizational communications goals.
• Thoro…