Head of Video

Primary Responsibilities

The Head of Video will be responsible for setting Pew Research Center’s overall video vision as well as building the structures, workflows, and team needed to support it. Working closely with audience, digital, design, strategic communications, and research staff, this role will move across the organization to guide how video, motion graphics, interviews, and animation are used to disseminate research findings across platforms.

The Head of Video will oversee video production staff (including two video producers and freelance editors), manage priorities and resources, and ensure that all video content meets Pew Research Center’s editorial standards for accuracy, clarity and nonpartisanship. This is a term-limited, grant‑funded position expected to extend three years.

• Work with the Managing Director of Audience to develop and lead a Center-wide strategy for video and motion graphics aligned with Pew Research Center’s mission, audiences, and dissemination goals
• Identify priority formats, platforms, and storytelling approaches for research-driven video content and define platform-specific strategies to enhance engagement and reach
• Set and articulate a creative vision for video storytelling that elevates the Center’s research across formats and platforms
• Refine best practices, workflows, and standards for video production and distribution
• Stay ahead of emerging trends in video storytelling, platforms, formats, and audience behavior to ensure video strategy remains effective and current and different needs are met across various video platforms

• Manage and mentor a small in-house video production team
• Oversee project planning, timelines, and resource allocation across multiple video initiatives
• Guide video concepts, scripts, and storyboards, ensuring strong storytelling and editorial rigor
• Collaborate with researchers, editors, designers, and digital staff to translate complex research into accessible video content and tailor video messaging for different platforms and audiences
• Manage relationships with freelancers and outside production vendors as needed

• Work with audience and communications teams to assess video performance using web and social platform analytics and recommend strategic adjustments
• Use audience data to refine strategy, optimize content distribution, and shape editorial priorities

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience
• 10+ years of experience producing high-quality, short-form video content, with experience in a leadership or management role
• Strong editorial judgment and commitment to accuracy and nonpartisanship
• Experience working with data-driven research or journalistic content
• Deep understanding of multi-platform video production and distribution
• Hands-on understanding of video production hardware and software

The typical starting salary for this position is $130,000 annually.

Hybrid. Pew Research Center staff are required to be present in the Center’s Washington, D.C., office three core days weekly (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday). Staff may work virtually from remote locations on other days in a typical work week.

• Affordable, comprehensive health care that includes medical, dental (including adult orthodontia) and vision benefits
• Generous paid annual leave plan, including a winter break between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1
• Employer-paid disability, life insurance and paid family leave plans
• Up to a 12% employer 401(k) contribution, with vesting at the end of the first year
• A 37.5-hour workweek
• Health savings or flexible spending account options with employer funding component
• Flexibility to telework a portion of each week, with an additional four telework flex weeks each year for most staff

Pew Research Center makes employment decisions without regard to age, sex, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. We encourage applications from candidates who represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.