Producer

The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to free and open inquiry draws inspired scholars to our global campuses, where ideas are born that challenge and change the world. We empower individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. Students in the College develop critical, analytic, and writing skills in our rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum. Through graduate programs, students test their ideas with UChicago scholars, and become the next generation of leaders in academia, industry, nonprofits, and government. To learn more about the university click here http://www.uchicago.edu/ Department COMM UChicago Creative: Multimedia About the Department UChicago Creative, part of University Communications, is the in-house agency at the University of Chicago. Like the community we're part of, we are a team of creative thinkers who thrive on challenges and excel at producing innovative solutions. Our expertise spans from strategic assessment and brand positioning to creative direction and development to production and distribution. We collaborate with UChicago schools and divisions, departments, units, and affiliated partners locally and globally to create innovative content that achieves their communication goals while advancing the University’s mission and reputation. We capture the voice and vision of the University through a variety of media, including print, digital, video, and photography. We address a full spectrum of creative challenges and develop solutions for everything from social media content to a fully integrated campaign. Job Summary Reporting to the Director of Multimedia, the Producer will produce video and audio for a wide variety of projects, ranging from lectures and events captured with a single camera to more complex projects including promotional videos, short and long-form narratives, news features, documentary-style content, and major multi-camera livestreamed events. The Producer must demonstrate an understanding of creative and technical skill in videography, lighting, and audio production within a fast-paced, detail-oriented team environment that upholds best-in-class production standards across all communications channels. The Producer must have some event, studio, and field producing experience and will collaborate with team members to ensure creative cohesion across all media. The Producer works with Director of Multimedia to resolve production challenges and anticipate the needs of our campus partners. The Producer should have a strong grasp of editing, creating motion graphics, and production workflow. Additionally, the Producer must have the ability to understand and translate academic content/research into creative concepts. The Producer will develop creative executions and mitigate errors by adhering to and upholding departmental and brand guidelines quality control measures. The Producer must be a creative storyteller; an avid problem solver able to unravel creative deadlocks and re-think processes; and an organizer able to prioritize competing deadlines and tasks. The Producer collaborates with an in-house team of producers/videographers, production/project managers, writers, designers, freelance staff, and third-party vendors to create transformative multimedia content that elevates the work of our campus partners and the University of Chicago brand. This position has the option to work a hybrid schedule as business needs permit. Responsibilities Produces or assists in producing video for features, lectures, conferences, small and large-scale live events, webcast services, and live network interviews. Produces effective, goal-driven, and audience-focused work that reflects and elevates the University brand. Manages projects from concept to completion as required, including meeting with clients, providing executions, and tracking time and costs. Collaborates with Director for Multimedia and/or Senior Producers to develop video for a wide variety of projects, including promotional videos, short-form narratives, news features, documentary-style content. Presents creative ideas for client/partner consideration as needed. Participates in creative brainstorming sessions. Provides information to inform project scope and budget development. Develops scripts and shoots, edits, and designs motion graphics. Improves UChicago Creative’s services by applying production expertise and knowledge of University needs and opportunities. Has a moderate/solid understanding and experience to support the planning, development and execution of audio-visual productions with moderate supervision. Defines, develops, installs, operates and troubleshoots audio-visual systems, such as video conferencing, digital media and desktop and network-based technologies. Performs other related work as needed. Minimum Qualifications Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field. --- Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline. --- Certifications: --- Preferred Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, video production, directing, editing, visual arts, or a related field. Experience: At least 3 years of experience in multimedia production in live event production and a creative or production agency. Experience or familiarity with communications in higher education a plus. Familiarity with higher education processes and culture. Experience producing locally in the field and on location and video recording for live and hybrid events, and multi-camera switching. Technical Skills or Knowledge: Proficient with project management tools (e.g. Basecamp). High level of skill in shooting, editing, and video production, including knowledge of video cameras and recorders, audio recording equipment, file compression, graphics manipulation, lighting, and post-production equipment and software. Knowledge of production technology, including professional interview lighting set-ups and camera operations, such as the Canon C100, C200, or C300, Sony Z150, and Panasonic EVA1, and production switchers, such as Blackmagic ATEM Television Studio Pro HD. Skilled editing expertise and extensive knowledge about software such as Final Cut Pro X, Premiere, Resolve, Motion, Compressor, Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, and Illustrator. Strong knowledge of the latest production and audio equipment and the ability to help with the management, repair, and ordering of department production equipment as needed. Preferred Competencies Problem-solve technical issues on the spot. High level of creativity and ability to collaborate with UChicago Creative and University Communications staff as well as units across campus to create innovative and compelling video content to be viewed at events and online. An eye for detail and composition. Provide creative partnership to add to the vision of a project, while taking direction from the Director of Multimedia and/or other UChicago Creative team members. Understand communication objectives, key target audiences and their needs and relative importance to a specific video project. Proactive and willing to work independently as well as collaboratively. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Be a client/partner service focused, creative professional who positively represents UChicago Creative. Engage with faculty across a range of academic disciplines. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Work on projects from concept to completion, including meeting with clients, establishing goals, providing executions, and tracking time and costs. Solution-oriented and open to new perspectives when needed. Work in a fast-paced, detail-oriented creative environment. Manage multiple projects simultaneously, juggle priorities, and meet deadlines. Respond to urgent situations. Work within established budgets. Working Conditions Lift and carry up to 30 pounds of production equipment. Evenings and weekends, when needed. Travel, as necessary. Application Documents Resume/CV (required) Cover Letter (required) Link to video reel or creative samples (required) When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application. Job Family Communications Role Impact Individual Contributor FLSA Status Exempt Pay Frequency Monthly Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5 Benefits Eligible Yes Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Posting Statement Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward. The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position. The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.