The Director, Photography, develops, creates and implements program/initiative strategies that align with overall marketing/department goals and strategies. They provide direction and leadership over marketing program and/or initiative. The Marketing Division operates at the heart of The Nature Conservancy’s mission to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Current global priorities include cities and climate change as well as lands, freshwaters and oceans, and increasing focus in our conservation planning to the intersections between nature and people. For more than 60 years, the Conservancy has protected more than 119 million acres of land, thousands of miles of rivers and more than 100 marine conservation sites around the world. This vital role provides an opportunity to engage in launching new global marketing strategies for Conservation.
The Director, Photography is responsible for overseeing all photography of the organization, ensuring that it is of the highest quality, and that it presents a story consistent with our mission and priorities. They are also responsible for ensuring appropriate diversity of people in images produced and used to respectfully reflect the diversity of professionals among our staff and partners as well as the diversity of the people and communities with whom we work. They will provide overall creative direction for the development of photography, and recommend creative/content design approaches, ensuring that the work reflects and advances the brand strategy, connecting people emotionally to the organization’s work. They should have a strong knowledge of all the different ways that the photography will be used and will work in tandem with the Director, Global Marketing Creative & Content and the Senior Art Director to guide the evolution of The Nature Conservancy’s “visual expression” across all primary Marketing outlets and will help to direct those who make primary decisions regarding the design and photography of such products as the magazine, annual report, TV and video, online presence, event collateral and other top-line products that emerge. They will have overall accountability for photography project design, production, distribution, contracting, scheduling and budget administration.
The Director of Photography works within the Creative team in Marketing overseeing a three-person photographic team, providing photo support across the organization. They are involved in all photos the team produces, providing guidance at key points in the production process, and helping the team work through any creative challenges. The Director of Photography works on all photography needs across the organization, helping staff stay aligned with TNC standards, and pointing them to other resources, such as our photo archive, that may help with their needs. They make key decisions about equipment purchases and maintenance, which projects to prioritize, and the direction of our online photo distribution channels.
As the photo lead at the worldwide office, the Director of Photography also serves a valuable role in helping teams figure out how they can use photography most effectively and economically. In working with teams across the organization the director can connect teams with similar photo needs, so that photography can be used for more than one purpose.
The Director of Photography reports to the Director, Global Marketing Creative and Content.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Supervise administrative and professional staff with responsibility for performance management, training, and development.
- May need to gain cooperation from individuals or groups over whom there is no direct authority in order to accomplish program goals.
- Financial responsibility includes setting objectives, evaluating results, and developing corrective strategies as needed.
- Responsibility and accountability for meeting departmental strategic goals and objectives.
- Effectively provide service and counsel to the organization including field offices (operating units), Worldwide Office, Office of the President and the Board of Governors.
- Effectively direct and/or participate in complex negotiations.
- Strategic planning and oversight of Photography department.
- Management of photography staff, including contract photographers, producers, and editors.
- Oversee supervision of products including budgeting, field production, contracting, cost reporting and completion of all deliverables.
- Work with internal departments (IT, Legal, Human Resources, Finance, senior staff) to set department policy and operating procedures.
- Liaison with TNC clients, both internal and external, to ensure the smooth completion and delivery of pieces on time and on budget.
- Manage relationships with freelancers, internal teams on campaign development/execution.
- Contract with outside facilities and vendor services.
- Manage database of all original photography.
- Help to create template for Consistent and quality branding of all Conservancy photography.
- Supervise photography workshops and trainings for TNC staff.
- Assess needs for further equipment purchases.
- Design, implement and direct multiple complex projects, setting and meeting deadlines and ensuring program accountability.
- Cultivate the creative ideas of others to identify potential solutions. Experiments to find creative solutions; thinks outside of the box.
- Make strategic decisions based on analysis, experience and judgement.
- Work with and communicate with a wide range of people – general public, program leadership, influential donors, and partners. Work in partnership with others in a collaborative or advisory role.
- Willingness to travel extensively and work long hours as required.
- Ability to work effectively with demanding constituents.
- Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends.
- Experience in developing, directing and managing multiple projects and implementing strategic program goals.
- Experience managing staff and teams.
- Experience in budgetary responsibilities and measuring results of strategic plans and programs.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Oversight and responsibility of project management, i.e. budgeting, staffing and resources
- Strong communication and presentation skills; ability to persuasively convey the mission of TNC to diverse groups including donors, corporate executives, board members and others who are important to the organization.
- Proven film and production skills and experience in developing, directing and managing multiple projects and implementing strategic program goals.
- Supervisory experience, including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance, including conflict resolution.
- Multilingual skills appreciated.
- Cross-cultural experiences preferred.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.