Careers at Virginia Tech

Advancement is seeking a passionate digital content specialist to capture images of the university’s most significant events and play a lead role in the creation of videography that engages and inspires alumni and donors.

This position is a fun, fast paced, creative role where the ideal candidate will work across the Advancement division, collaborating with colleagues to make a memorable experience for alumni and donors both in person and online.

The digital content specialist will provide visual coverage for important gatherings and create videos for signature events that elevate the experience for guests. Visual coverage of events will include donor recognition dinners, receptions, awards ceremonies, socials, reunions, etc. and imagery will be shared with attendees and/or be published in public relations, stewardship materials, and on the university’s digital channels. This role will also be responsible for capturing visuals and producing a variety of promotional content for focused paid and organic social media campaigns.

Duties include:
- Taking a leadership role in ideating on promotional video concepts, storyboarding, and planning the production of videos.
- Bringing innovative, enterprising ideas and staying current with emerging technologies, platforms, and photo/video best practices.
- Collaborating closely with other creatives, including the university’s social media and brand creative teams.
- Capturing, producing, and editing photos and videos for external audiences.
- Arriving before attendees at major events to capture candid and staged moments while working hand in hand with event coordinators.
- Demonstrating good professional judgment, following university brand guidelines, and adhering to university policies and procedures.
- Uploading visual content to websites and appropriately tag and upload images to the university’s photo library.

The digital content specialist reports to the assistant director of Advancement communications. The team is located at Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg campus. The candidate’s efforts are focused on supporting Advancement and university-level priorities and meeting the needs of Advancement and university colleagues.

The ideal candidate will have professional experience as an events photographer and videographer or a similar role, working in a dynamic, high-energy events environment. Additionally, they will have the ability to work independently and as a team, multitask, and work on multiple deadline-driven projects simultaneously. Deadlines will be fast. Work on nights and weekends is expected. This role will also have occasional travel.

Demonstrated experience as an events photographer/videographer or a similar role or experience, working in a dynamic, high-energy events environment.

Experience working independently and as a team, multitasking, and working on multiple deadline-driven projects simultaneously and meeting deadlines.

Fluency with using Canon, Sony, or Nikon mirror-less cameras to shoot images and video.

Demonstrated experience producing written and visual content (video, photos, graphics) for social media and/or other digital platforms.

Demonstrated experience producing and curating content that’s accessible and inclusive for diverse audiences on digital platforms

Demonstrated experience executing and planning creative campaigns

Familiarity with industry social media trends and best practices.

Portfolio that demonstrates deep knowledge of photography and videography.

Bachelor's degree in video production, photography, visual communication, journalism, new media, fine arts or equivalent work and/or academic experience

Experience with content management systems and digital asset management systems.

Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Mac-based systems and software

Experience working in a higher education setting

Marketing and branding experience

4

Regular

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.