Production Manager

Job Title: Production Manager
Department: Communications 
Location: Oakland, Washington D.C, or remote.
Reports To: Head of Creative Programming
Supervises: Up to five staff

Context:  At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.

Scope: The Production Manager is responsible for managing the people, projects, strategies and contracts of the production team as part of the overarching Creative team and strategies. This is an ideal position for an experienced photography, videography and production expert who inspires collaboration, thinks like an organizer, improves tactics based on results, is skillful at integrated content strategies and storytelling from a relational approach. 

The person in this role holds a birds-eye view of Sierra Club priority campaigns and initiatives – supporting the production team towards innovative visual, video and multimedia content strategies that contribute to organizational priorities in order to build the Sierra Club brand, develop and drive story-based content, contribute to the delivery of concrete campaign and policy outcomes, and support chapters and staff. The Production Manager works with the Head of Creative Programming, Director of Strategic Communications and Creative Manager to ensure that multi-channel and story-based video, photo and multimedia content strategies, tone and message are in-line with Sierra Club brand, values and 2030 Strategic Framework for all of Sierra Club’s national initiatives, campaigns, executive strategies, and chapter support.

Job activities include but are not limited to:

1. Strategic Leadership. Works with the Head of Creative Programming, Director of Strategic Communications, Campaigns and others to identify strategic video and multimedia opportunities; and works with the Production team to develop content strategies, assets, toolkits, etc. in support of organizational, departmental and programmatic goals. Collaborates with Deputy Chief of Communications and Head of Creative Programming to identify and manage moments of timely and strategic response as needed – rapid response, news cycle response, timely social media campaigns, etc. Works with the Library team to integrate library content and oral histories into production plans. Works with the creative, social, strategic communications, media and digital strategies channel owners to develop dissemination strategies. Solicits, edits, and publishes multimedia and videos to accompany editorial content in collaboration with the Visual Asset Specialist and Production Team in accordance with Sierra Club visual brand guidelines. Maintains expertise in the fields of production, photography and videography; keeping tabs on external content/storytelling trends and opportunities. 
2. People Management. Includes the following supervisory responsibilities: assigns work and establishes standards and work priorities; ensures staff training and development of employee skills; provides ongoing performance feedback, prepares, and conducts formal performance planning and evaluation; recommends salary, hiring, and promotion decisions; oversees the team budget; manages requests and prioritization. 
3. Project Management. Coordinates and negotiates content produced by the production team, maintaining schedules for travel, filming, production and content. Ensures projects are in alignment with brand standards; and that language and messaging in creative materials align with thematic guidelines and Sierra Club priorities. Gives creative and editorial feedback on all projects. Negotiates and acquires rights to third party materials as necessary and ensures the overall legality of such acquisition under existing Sierra Club policies and contracting procedures. Ensures all projects are vetted for compliance with Sierra Club Foundation requirements. Develops and maintains metrics-based analytical tools for each project. Supports the team by contributing to photo and video shoots, production and content implementation as needed.
4. Coordination and Collaboration. Works with other Advancement, Communications, and Digital Strategies staff to tell stories through multi-platform visual and video assets featuring the Sierra Club’s priority campaigns, staff, and volunteers, and broader public as needed. Works with interns, volunteers, field offices, and staff offices on various multimedia and video content tasks. Supports Chapters with storytelling, photo, multimedia and video tools, and content strategy advice. Works with the Visual Asset Specialist in the curation and licensing of images. Leads on all partnerships with contracted photographers, videographers and partners  as needed.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies:

• • Production and Content Strategies: Proficient in Adobe After Effects, Premiere, Photoshop, Lightroom and Illustrator, etc. Advanced sound recording, producing radio commercials, podcasts and/or audiograms. Experienced with rights research and clearance, sourcing and hiring of outside vendors. High level of expertise with content formats, aspect ratios and content performance across social platforms, and accustomed to creating content packages for this variety of platforms. Experience reaching audiences with content strategically with a theory of change for social impact – from content partnerships, owned media and paid ads to film festivals, earned media and grassroots outreach.
  • A strategic mind and multidisciplinary approach. You are a creative and content strategist throughout your work; with a proven track record of leveraging your technical expertise and integrated content strategies as part of cross-functional teams in order to identify and proactively meet shifting environments, campaign opportunities and organizational needs. You have a breadth of photo, video and production skills from conceptualizing, writing, studio/field filming and remote recording to motion graphic, multimedia and video editing experience.
  • A track record of collaboration. You’ve navigated complex organizational structures to facilitate  collaborative partnerships between stakeholders to keep workflow consistent and shared goals attainable.  You’re able to interact effectively with volunteers and staff – effectively coordinating between different teams and functions as needed. You have the ability to receive feedback as well as articulate the context of your strategies.
  • Management. You have proven experience taking teams and projects from beginning to end and maintaining communication throughout the process. Strong cross-functional communications skills; strong verbal and written communications skills as well as strong visual storytelling and video production ability. An ability to work independently and manage timelines to meet deadlines, while supporting others to do the same
  • Operationalizing Equity. You model effective equity analysis and practice and demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of how group dynamics impact supervisory relationships, organizational culture, partnerships, campaigns and coalition work. Your decision-making is consistent, intentional, and committed to creating equitable outcomes at all levels. You have led high-performing and leaderful teams across group identities. You intervene when challenging group dynamics play out, in ways that build understanding, trust, and deeper self-awareness of team members. 

The strongest candidates will also demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies: 

• • User Generated Content: Successful recruitment, production and distribution of user generated content campaigns. Experience training and developing the integrated photo, video and multimedia skills of grassroots volunteers – including the use of apps and easily accessible editing tools.
  • Partnerships. Partnerships with artists and cultural influencers have been a core part of your past design and creative strategies. You come to this work with existing movement, artist and/or influencer partnerships; are in tune with the communities we work with, and will be able to leverage these collaborations and cultural trends to generate content, growth, and real power.
  • Knows Our Work. You have experience in the environmental movement or social justice advocacy space: Your communication projects have included campaigning, creating public demand for a policy, training volunteers, holding the decision makers accountable, and/or taking delivery on campaign goals. You are in tune with the communities we work with; able to lead in the development of content strategies that leverage cultural trends while meeting concrete outcomes and content needs.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $114,000, non-negotiable, based on a Region 1 work location of Oakland, CA or Washington, DC. A lower starting salary may apply for remote-based hires.

The Sierra Club offers a competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience plus excellent benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement savings 401(k) plan. 

This is a category 4 exempt, non-represented, managerial position.

Sierra Club is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. Sierra Club employees are not eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

Sierra Club values the expertise and talents of foreign nationals. Sierra Club sponsors both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas when certain criteria are met, based on immigration laws and organizational needs. Such sponsorship is at the discretion of the Department Head and Sierra Club Human Resources in consultation with the employee’s manager. The Sierra Club cannot guarantee the approval of a visa petition. The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce belonging.

To Apply
Please submit your resume here.

The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.

Salary : $114,000 - $0