Digital Media Specialist

Department: IT Communications
Salary/Grade: ITS/77

Target hiring range for this position will be between $62,120-75,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Job Summary:

The Northwestern IT Media and Events team is looking for a creative, collaborative Digital Media Specialist with strong storytelling instincts, production experience, and post-production expertise. The ideal candidate excels at identifying compelling narratives, collaborating with diverse stakeholders, and producing engaging video content from concept through delivery.

Alongside team members, you will create a wide range of content, including promotional campaigns for academic programs, videos highlighting research and innovation, conference and high-profile event coverage, faculty and student stories, and communications that showcase new initiatives across Northwestern. Working with faculty, staff, and students across the University, the team produces content spanning disciplines including engineering, medicine, law, student support, and scientific research. Examples of our work can be found here: https://mti.it.northwestern.edu/portfolio-teams/media-production/.

We value an inclusive and collaborative approach to production from planning through delivery, and responsibilities rotate from project to project, giving everyone a chance to be involved in all aspects of production. Team members are encouraged to take initiative, develop new skills, and participate in producing, directing,cinematography editing, and/or animation skills and animation.

We live our values in our hiring practices and encourage women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

Please provide a cover letter and resume. Short-listed candidates will be asked to share samples of work.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Support faculty in the creation of instructional media for blended, online, and open learning
• Edit story-driven content including promotional, interview-based videos, and instructional media.
• Cinematography and lighting for story-driven content including promotional, documentary, and instructional media for blended, online, and open learning.
• Draft scripts, treatments, storyboards, and interview approaches that communicate compelling stories.
• Effectively communicate with clients to develop treatments, scout locations, identify and coordinate resources necessary.
• Collaborate with team members and clients to solve production challenges, adapt to changing project needs, and deliver high-quality creative work on project deadlines.
• Supervise and mentor part-time student employees and contractors as needed.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Three years of professional experience creating and editing story-driven video content.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud applications, particularly Premiere Pro.
• Demonstrated experience operating professional video cameras, with knowledge of composition, lighting, interview production, and visual storytelling principles.
• Experience working in collaborative creative environments and partnering with clients and team members from various professional backgrounds.
• Experience filming on a variety of locations, including live events and studio environments.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills, adaptability and flexibility.
• Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills, including the ability to explain creative decisions and incorporate feedback constructively.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five-plus years of professional editing experience.
• Experience attending or working for an academic institution.
• Experience directing on-camera interviews.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, including project organization, audio mixing, color correction, and efficient post-production workflows.
• Proficiency in operating professional video cameras, composition, lighting, interview production, and visual storytelling principles.
• Demonstrated experience planning and capturing effective b-roll that supports narrative structure, visual storytelling, and editorial goals.
• Proficiency in graphic design.
• Proficiency in animation and motion graphics.
• Experience mentoring student employees, creative staff, contractors, or peers.
• Audio production experience
• Experience with virtual production environments

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.