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Documentary Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

AEG

Director, Creative Video & Production

Arlington, TX · On-site

Oversee a wide range of content, including social-first video, player features, documentaries, all ... direct and elevate the work of highly skilled creative teams. * Strong understanding of social ...

Cinetic Media

Publicity Director

Manhattan, NY · On-site

Our projects include American Independent and studio/streaming releases, documentaries and ... Cinetic is seeking a New York based Director of Publicity to spearhead their publicity campaigns.

Nen Creative

Video Director

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$70K - $120K/yr

Experience directing commercials, brand films, interviews, documentaries, or narrative work * Strong scripting, messaging, and narrative development ability * Comfortable presenting ideas and ...

Nen Creative

Video Director

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$70K - $120K/yr

Experience directing commercials, brand films, interviews, documentaries, or narrative work * Strong scripting, messaging, and narrative development ability * Comfortable presenting ideas and ...

Colossal Biosciences

Cinematographer

Dallas, TX · On-site

Serve as Director of Photography, guiding camera, composition, and movement * Shape visual tone and ... Operate confidently in both fast-moving documentary conditions and structured in-house shoots

Agupdate

Associate Director of Visuals

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$125 - $150/hr

... video to documentary storytelling - driving innovation and excellence in how we connect with ... Direct visual planning, including coordination across photo, video, graphics and other interactive ...

CoBank

Trade Servicing Specialist IV

Greenwood Village, CO · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

Process documentary collections (direct, import and export). Respond to foreign bank correspondents related to documentary collections. Enters information in the letter of credit system and provides ...

ADP, Inc.

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

Little Rock, AR · On-site

$80 - $100/hr

Concept, storyboard, art direct, and collaborate on the production of commercial, documentary, and social-first video content. * Art direct photography and collaborate with photographers ...

CJRW INC

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

Little Rock, AR · On-site

Concept, storyboard, art direct, and collaborate on the production of commercial, documentary, and social-first video content. * Art direct photography andcollaboratewith photographers, videographers ...

Hearst Communications, Inc.

News Director

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

The News Director will also oversee special projects and documentary work while helping drive newsroom innovation and the continued evolution of our journalism. With KCRA 3's strong legacy, talented ...

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Documentary Director information

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$24.5K

$78.7K

$184K

How much do documentary director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for documentary director in the United States is $78,672.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,500.00 and $101,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a documentary director do?

A Documentary Director is responsible for overseeing the creative and technical aspects of making a documentary film. They develop the concept, plan the narrative structure, conduct interviews, and guide the crew during filming to capture real-life stories and events. The director works closely with editors in post-production to shape the footage into a compelling and truthful narrative. Their goal is to inform, educate, or inspire audiences by presenting factual content in an engaging way.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a documentary director?

To thrive as a Documentary Director, you need a solid understanding of storytelling, visual composition, and film production, typically supported by a background in film, media studies, or related experience. Familiarity with editing software (such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro), camera equipment, and sound recording tools is essential. Strong communication, leadership, and adaptability are critical soft skills for managing crews, interviewing subjects, and navigating unpredictable filming environments. These skills and qualities are vital for creating compelling, authentic documentaries that engage audiences and effectively convey real-world stories.

What are some common challenges faced by documentary directors during the production process?

Documentary Directors often encounter challenges such as securing access to subjects, balancing creative vision with factual accuracy, and adapting to unpredictable real-life events. Coordinating schedules with participants and crew, managing limited budgets, and ensuring ethical storytelling are also common hurdles. Collaboration with editors, producers, and cinematographers is key to navigating these challenges and delivering a compelling final product.

What is the difference between Documentary Director vs Film Director?

AspectDocumentary DirectorFilm Director
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in film, journalism, or related fields; experience in documentary productionSimilar educational background; often with experience in narrative or feature films
Work EnvironmentWorks on real-life subjects, often in field settings or studiosWorks on scripted or fictional projects, often in studio or set environments
Industry UsageCommon in documentary filmmaking, educational, and non-profit sectorsPrevalent in commercial, entertainment, and narrative film industries

While both roles require strong storytelling skills and similar educational backgrounds, a Documentary Director focuses on real-life subjects and factual storytelling, often working in field environments. In contrast, a Film Director typically works on scripted, fictional projects in studio settings. Both roles demand creativity, leadership, and technical knowledge, but their content and work settings differ significantly.

How do you become a documentary director?

To become a documentary director, individuals typically pursue a bachelor's degree in film, journalism, or a related field, gaining skills in storytelling, editing, and cinematography. Gaining experience through internships, producing short films, and building a portfolio are essential steps, along with developing a strong understanding of research and interview techniques.
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Cities with the most Documentary Director job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Documentary jobs?

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Documentary Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Documentary Director job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $78,672 per year, or $37.8 per hour.

Senior Director, Creative Production

New York, NY • On-site

Business Insider
501 - 1,000 employees
Learn more about Business Insiderexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

Business Insider is hiring a Senior Director, Creative Production to lead BI Studios' branded content team and create exceptional storytelling for our advertising partners.
Business Insider is for people who are driven, optimistic and always looking forward. Our mission is to inspire action through thought-provoking stories. We tell our audience what they want and need to know to improve their lives and the world with storytelling that is accessible, smart, sometimes unexpected, and always helpful. Our team members embody and uphold Business Insider's three core values: we are all one team, we are effective, and we get better every day.
BI Studios is the award-winning branded content studio at Business Insider, creating premium storytelling for many of the world's leading brands. We produce everything from feature articles and documentaries to social content, vodcasts, interactives, and emerging formats.
Our work sits at the intersection of editorial, creativity, and marketing. We're entrepreneurial, collaborative, and constantly experimenting with new ways of reaching audiences. As Business Insider evolves alongside AI and changing audience behaviors, we're investing in the future of branded storytelling and looking for a leader to help build it.
The Role & Team
As Senior Director, Creative Production, you'll lead BI Studios' creative organization, including Content Producers, Project Managers, Video Production, and a network of freelance creative partners. You'll partner with Creative Strategy, Sales, Design, and Client Success teams to translate client objectives into ambitious storytelling that delivers meaningful business results.
This is a player-coach role where you'll balance strategic leadership with hands-on creative work, whether that's editing content, reviewing a documentary cut, shaping a client presentation, or leading a major client conversation.
Reporting to the VP of Creative Strategy & Studios, you'll raise the creative quality of BI Studios' work by defining creative standards, mentoring the team, and ensuring every campaign reflects the creative ambition and editorial rigor of the Business Insider brand.
This position is based in our New York City headquarters with an in-office expectation of at least three days per week and may require some travel.
Key Responsibilities
Creative Leadership
  • Serve as BI Studios' senior creative leader, overseeing flagship campaigns and elevating storytelling, narrative, and creative quality across the board.
  • Establish and uphold BI Studios' creative standards, editorial voice, and storytelling principles.
  • Develop new storytelling formats, products, and creative capabilities that keep BI Studios at the forefront of branded content.
  • Lead the team while remaining hands-on with the work, from editing content and reviewing scripts and video cuts to strengthening narratives across the portfolio.
  • Stay ahead of trends across AI, audience behavior, media, and content discovery, translating them into new opportunities for BI Studios.
  • Foster a culture of experimentation that produces award-winning work and continually raises the creative bar.
  • Partner with Creative Strategy and Sales to deeply understand client objectives and ensure every campaign balances creative excellence with measurable business outcomes.
Production Leadership
  • Oversee all custom production across articles, video, social, vodcasts, interactives, and emerging formats.
  • Ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and at an exceptional creative standard.
  • Support project managers in building scalable systems and processes that support ambitious creative work while improving efficiency.
  • Identify opportunities to thoughtfully integrate AI into creative and production workflows.
Team Leadership
  • Lead and develop a high-performing creative production organization.
  • Co-lead hiring, organizational planning, and talent development with the VP of Creative Strategy & Studios.
  • Build a culture rooted in collaboration, curiosity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Foster an environment where team members are empowered to grow creatively, think strategically, and do their best work.
The Ideal Candidate Has
  • Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across editorial, video, social, and digital content.
  • Outstanding editorial judgment, storytelling instincts, and creative taste.
  • Demonstrated ability to translate client marketing objectives into compelling, audience-first creative ideas.
  • Executive presence and confidence working with senior clients and stakeholders.
  • Client-facing experience with the ability to confidently lead creative conversations.
  • A track record of mentoring and developing creative talent.
  • Experience creating award-winning branded content and/or editorial storytelling.
  • Experience using AI to enhance creative development, production workflows, or content strategy.
  • Experience managing production budgets, resources, and creative workflows.
  • Curiosity about how AI is reshaping content discovery, search, audience behavior, and creative workflows.
  • Excellent communication, organizational, and cross-functional leadership skills.
  • Calm, thoughtful decision-making under pressure.
Salary & Benefits
  • Base salary: $160,000 - $170,000 (dependent on skills, experience, and competencies)
  • Additional bonus
  • Flexible PTO, 10 company holidays, and 16 weeks of parental leave
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
  • Matched and vested 401k plan
  • Access to resources for financial planning guidance, family planning services, mental health support, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
  • Additional benefits include commuter benefits, phone reimbursement, gym membership discounts, and more

Business Insider is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and, when making employment decisions, does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, sex, sexual orientation, age, nationality or national origin, religion, disability, familial status, and military or veteran status. We encourage members of traditionally underrepresented groups to apply.
Business Insider is a subsidiary of Axel Springer SE, a family-owned transatlantic media company headquartered in Berlin and New York. Axel Springer is dedicated to shaping the future of journalism in the free world, believing that a free and informed society is essential to democracy. The company's guiding principles - first articulated as The Essentials by founder Axel Springer in the aftermath of World War II - remain a cornerstone of the company's foundation today. Learn more about Axel Springer.
Are you passionate about this opportunity, but worried that you don't have 100% of the experience we're looking for? We still want to hear from you! Apply online and let us know why you would make a great addition to Business Insider.

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