Freelance Visual Content Creator Jobs in Minnesota

Title: Visual Content Producer
Job Code: 8341DG Digital Graphics Specialist
Employee Group: Civil Service
Full/Part Time (FTE): Full-Time (100%)
Regular/Temporary: Regular

Priority Review Deadline: 8/27/2026

About the Job

The Visual Content Producer serves as the primary multimedia storyteller and visual content creator for the College of Science and Engineering (CSE). This position produces high-quality photography, video, motion graphics, and multimedia content that supports student recruitment, research visibility, alumni engagement, reputation building, and institutional priorities.

The Visual Content Producer collaborates with writers, social media professionals, designers, marketers, faculty, students, staff, and college leaders to tell compelling visual stories about the people, discoveries, experiences, and impact of CSE. The position manages projects from concept through final production and prepares content for use across websites, social media, digital advertising, presentations, events, and other communications channels.

Success in this role requires creativity, technical production expertise, visual and narrative storytelling ability, strong project management skills, and the ability to make people feel comfortable in front of a camera. The position must be able to work effectively in laboratories, classrooms, events, and other dynamic or highly technical environments while following applicable safety, accessibility, privacy, and permissions requirements.

Location and Work Environment

• Location: Twin Cities Campus, University of Minnesota
• Work Environment: Hybrid

Expected Work Schedule

• MondayFriday, 8 a.m.4:30 p.m.
• Minimum of three days per week in the office, with Monday and Wednesday expected as on-campus collaboration days
• Up to two days per week remote, consistent with department and University policies and production needs
• Regular on-campus and on-location work is required for photography, filming, events, and other assignments
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to cover events, meet production deadlines, or support time-sensitive college initiatives

Visa Language: Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Primary Responsibilities

45% Produce Video and Multimedia Stories

• Plan, script, storyboard, film, and edit video content that supports the colleges communications, marketing, and storytelling objectives.
• Produce feature videos, student and alumni profiles, faculty spotlights, research stories, promotional content, short-form social video, and event coverage.
• Manage video projects from initial concept and preproduction through filming, editing, review, and final delivery.
• Operate professional cameras, lighting, audio, and related production equipment in studio and field environments.
• Interview and direct students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other participants, helping individuals with varying levels of on-camera experience feel comfortable and communicate effectively.
• Translate scientific, technical, and academic subjects into visual stories that are accurate, accessible, and engaging.
• Edit video using industry-standard software and production workflows.
• Create platform-specific content optimized for websites, social media, digital advertising, presentations, events, and other distribution channels.
• Develop and maintain production schedules, coordinate logistics, and manage stakeholder reviews and approvals.
• Maintain organized project files and follow established procedures for storage, backup, and archiving.

25% Produce Photography and Manage Visual Assets

• Photograph college events, laboratories, classrooms, student experiences, research activities, facilities, portraits, and institutional milestones.
• Produce high-quality editorial, environmental, documentary-style, and promotional photography for print and digital use.
• Edit, color-correct, caption, and optimize photography for a range of communications channels and formats.
• Collaborate with communications colleagues and partners across CSE to proactively identify visual storytelling opportunities.
• Manage permissions, releases, captions, credits, and related information associated with photography and multimedia content.
• Organize and maintain searchable photo and multimedia archives that support immediate and long-term institutional storytelling needs.
• Develop metadata, naming, storage, and retention practices that make visual assets easy to locate and appropriately reuse.
• Create visual content that authentically represents the breadth of the CSE community, its work, and its mission.

20% Create Motion Graphics and Multimedia Elements

• Create motion graphics, animated visual elements, title sequences, lower-thirds, data visualizations, and other enhancements for multimedia projects.
• Develop graphics and visual treatments specifically for video, social media, web, presentations, and digital advertising.
• Collaborate with the Creative & Brand Lead to ensure multimedia content aligns with University and college visual standards.
• Create reusable video and motion-graphics templates that improve quality, consistency, and production efficiency.
• Adapt visual content for multiple platforms, dimensions, formats, and audience needs.
• Stay current on visual storytelling techniques, production technologies, and platform conventions that may strengthen the colleges communications.

10% Support Multimedia Strategy, Accessibility, and Operations

• Ensure multimedia content meets University accessibility requirements, including captioning, transcription, audio description, and alternative-content needs as applicable.
• Follow University requirements and best practices related to privacy, permissions, copyright, records management, and appropriate use of visual content.
• Follow laboratory, facility, and equipment safety requirements while working in technical and research environments.
• Partner with the Social Media & Content Lead and Digital Marketing & Analytics Lead to review content performance and apply audience insights to future work.
• Contribute visual storytelling ideas to content calendars, marketing campaigns, publications, and other strategic communications initiatives.
• Respond to time-sensitive photography, video, and multimedia needs when appropriate.
• Maintain production equipment, monitor equipment needs, and help manage related inventory and resources.
• Coordinate with freelancers, vendors, or University production partners as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in film production, multimedia production, digital media, visual communications, photography, journalism, communications, or a related field, or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least four years.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience planning, filming, and editing video projects through coursework, internships, employment, freelance work, or other relevant settings.
• Experience producing photography and visual content for websites, social media, digital marketing, or other communications channels.
• Familiarity with camera, lighting, and audio equipment and basic production practices.
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud applications such as Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, or Lightroom, or comparable production software.
• Strong visual storytelling, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, production details, and deadlines.
• Experience creating short-form video or other platform-specific social media content.
• Interest in translating scientific, technical, academic, or other complex subjects into engaging visual stories.
• Familiarity with motion graphics, animation, or multimedia visualization.
• Familiarity with accessibility practices related to video, photography, captioning, transcription, and audio description.
• Familiarity with organizing visual assets and managing captions, credits, permissions, and participant releases.
• Ability to help people feel comfortable during interviews, photography, and video production.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in working in higher education, research, science, engineering, nonprofit, government, or another complex organization.

About the College of Science and Engineering

The College of Science and Engineering (CSE) is ranked among the top engineering and science academic programs in the country. The college includes 12 academic departments offering a wide range of degree programs at the baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral levels.

For more information about the College of Science and Engineering Office of the Dean, visit https://cse.umn.edu/.

Pay Range: $22.12 - $28.85 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services 
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online.  To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Required application materials: Resume and Cover Letter

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with wo