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Position Title & Department:

 Associate Director, Multimedia News and Video Production; University Marketing and Communications Posting #

5524

Department Description:

Public Affairs is dedicated to connecting the University of San Diego with the wider community through the media. An active media presence is vital for shining a spotlight on the distinctive work being done at USD. The Public Affairs team serves as the designated liaison between the university and the media. The team publicizes and handles media relations for major university announcements and events and helps connect faculty experts with print, broadcast and online media.

University Description:

The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity's urgent challenges.

Detailed Description:

The associate director of multimedia news and video production serves as the primary visual storyteller for the Office of Public Affairs, transforming complex academic research, student achievement, and institutional initiatives into compelling video and digital content. This position is a highly technical "hands-on" production role responsible for the end-to-end creation of high-impact multimedia storytelling assets. Serving as a one-person news crew, this position is responsible for identifying stories, conducting polished interviews, and shooting and editing professional-grade videos. A direct liaison to academic and administrative divisions, the associate director works with campus-wide marketing and communications teams to develop strategies and implement proactive visual media projects promoting faculty and student achievement and select events with the goal of enhancing their reputations regionally, nationally, and internationally. The associate director produces multimedia stories for multiple platforms including print, electronic, social media, and broadcast. The associate director interacts with media outlets, developing and producing video releases and feature coverage about members of the university community, initiatives, and events. This position works to establish and maintain excellent relationships with reporters, editors, and key news personnel at print and broadcast media, as well as media/advertising partners, in the development of campus-wide news content. The associate director works to increase awareness of USD's mission, support student recruitment efforts, uplift faculty thought leadership and research, and illustrate the case for philanthropic support of the institution. This position also tracks analytics to show effectiveness of media relations efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Multimedia Production and Video Storytelling 

• Produce B-roll packages and video news releases (VNRs) specifically designed for distribution to local, national, and international broadcast media outlets.
• Lead conceptualization, cinematography, and post-production (e.g. editing, color grading, sound design) of news-style video packages and feature stories.
• Conduct on-camera interviews with faculty, students, and administration; elicit the "story" and extract compelling soundbites.
• Produce a consistent flow of features and news stories that effectively position USD, emphasize strategically important programs or developments, and differentiate the university from competitors.
• Assist the team in pitching video news and feature story ideas to promote key people, programs, and initiatives within areas of responsibility.
• Develop and maintain relationships with campus colleagues to increase the generation of unique story pitches to Public Affairs.
• Serve as the technical lead for the university's weekly podcast, "At the Edge of it All," including recording, audio editing, mixing, and distributing across hosting platforms.
• Develop strong working relationships with local, regional, national, and international media, providing timely information and interviews to further strengthen USD's position as a preferred news source.
• Develop and maintain Public Affairs' website, newsroom pages, and social media channels to keep up with the demands and needs of local, national, and international news media, ensuring all video and visual content is optimized for web and mobile viewing.
• Upload and publish stories to the USD News Center and other multimedia channels; work collaboratively with other members of University Marketing and Communications (UM&C) as needed in the creation of storytelling projects.
• Assist the executive director with creating new internal/external channels of communication (e.g. podcasts, newsletters, other production channels).
• Facilitate daily communication with clients, colleagues, project managers, and vendors regarding project timelines, progress updates, budget constraints, and required approvals.

Public Affairs and Strategic Support 

• Produce video press releases and increase storytelling across the university.
• Help develop/guide video projects across campus to increase brand awareness with outside media sources and audiences.
• Advance the Office of Public Affairs' digital footprint online and through social media.
• Track editorial calendars, measurement, and analytics to demonstrate the effectiveness of media relations outreach.
• Assist the executive director with media training for select university thought leaders.
• Work closely with the team to identify visual opportunities within their pitched stories and research initiatives; advise on emerging trends, equipment needs, and digital strategies to increase the "shareability" of university news.
• Assist executive director during sensitive situations; capture and edit internal/external video statements and monitor digital sentiment as needed.
• Ensure all video content aligns with university branding, institutional storytelling priorities, and consistency across multiple platforms.
• Provide visual coverage for major university events, press conferences, and dignitary visits and technical assistance in the organization of media events when appropriate.
• Support and transport distinguished guests and USD personnel to media opportunities as needed. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Valid driver's license required.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• This position requires the ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, for events and crisis management.
• This position requires the ability to travel as needed for events and media engagements. 

Background check:  Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes. 

Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Five years' experience in marketing, multimedia video editing and production, broadcast news, and/or digital storytelling.
• Fluency with video development/editing programs.
• Demonstrated editorial judgment, interpersonal skills, and technical expertise; must exhibit attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills required as well as exceptional critical listening and thinking skills.
• Deep familiarity with professional cinema cameras, DSLR/Mirrorless setups, lighting kits, and field audio recording equipment.
• Ability to use reporting tools to synthesize and interpret data related to tracking media appearances.
• Ability to think creatively and analytically, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent news judgment; strong conceptual and story development skills; strong "news-gut" -the ability to identify what makes a story interesting to the public and the media.
• Solid word processing, web, database management, and social networking skills.
• Commitment to the mission and values of USD.
• Must be friendly and personable; mature, positive attitude.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Film/Video Production, Communications, or a related field.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), video editing software (Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro), and mobile editing software such as iMovie and similar programs.
• Experience working in media and higher education.
• Bilingual in Spanish, verbal and written.

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong sense of integrity and ethical conduct; able to deal effectively and diplomatically with diverse personalities; maintain tact and discretion in all interactions.
• Cultural competency and sensitivity a must; ability to understand different cultural contexts and viewpoints, demonstrate respect for others, adapt to different cultural settings, and accept cultural differences.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills. Ability to work well independently and with others in a team environment and under deadline pressure.
• Ability to make interview subjects feel comfortable on camera, ranging from high-level executives to students, and visually convey complex faculty research and academic concepts.
• Ability to assume responsibility, problem solve, and exercise independent judgment when making decisions.
• Understand the organizational structure and news process in print and broadcast media; ability to "find the story" and extract compelling soundbites.
• Must possess a clear understanding of the university's branding, writing, and graphic standards and ensure standards are adhered to at all times.
• Ability to turn around edited video content on tight news cycles or during breaking news situations.
• Ability to take a story concept and return with a finished video product with minimal direction.
• Ability to plan and execute media events.
• Ability to write effectively for the web.
• Strong knowledge of social media platforms.
• Proficient with website content management (CMS) tools; working knowledge of HTML, SEO, UI/UX design and web standards a plus.
• Knowledge of cameras and comfortable learning to use a variety of camera styles (e.g. DSLR, video camera, cell phone).
• Ability to transport, set up, and operate heavy camera gear and lighting equipment in various environments.
• Familiarity with photo editing software for image cropping, resizing and basic designing (Photoshop preferred).
• Ability to articulate the significance of USD's Catholic identity, mission, core values, and strategic directions in maintaining and advancing the university's profile, reputation, and position.
• Knowledge of USD's policies and procedures.

Posting Salary:

$6,250 - $6,666.67 per month; Excellent Benefits
The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers.  Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.  USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position.  Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Special Application Instructions:

Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers' review.  If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at jobs@sandiego.edu.

Additional Details:

Hours: 40 hours per week

Closing date: Open until filled

Note: External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.
The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.