Senior Visual Media Specialist

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact. 
As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What We Offer:
Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
Benefits - We care about your well being.

The Office of Innovation & Technology (OIT) is the central IT agency for the City of Philadelphia headed by the Chief Information Officer (CIO). OIT oversees all major information and communications technology initiatives for the City of Philadelphia - increasing the effectiveness of the information technology infrastructure, where the services provided are advanced, optimized, and responsive to the needs of the City of Philadelphia’s businesses, residents, and visitors. OIT responsibilities include: identifying the most effective approach for implementing new information technology directions throughout city government; improving the value of the city’s technology assets and the return on the city’s technology investments; ensuring data security continuity; planning for continuing operations in the event of disruption of information technology or communications services; and supporting accountable, efficient and effective government across every city department, board, commission and agency.

Job Description

As the nation’s 5th largest city, we are offering a unique opportunity to work with a specialized team of creative individuals responsible for delivering innovative design concepts for over 40+ departments within the City of Philadelphia.  While working directly with the Mayor’s Office of Communication, the Web & Creative Services Group generates over 300+ print concepts, digital advertisements and video productions annually, ranging from promotional flyers, brochures, annual reports, front-end website design concepts, application UX/UI designs, social media graphics, digital signage, live action videos, vector animations, script writing, video editing and pre- and post-production video work.

The primary responsibility of this position is to provide creative design & motion graphics expertise in all areas of print, graphic, illustrations and multimedia support for over 40+ departments for the City of Philadelphia.  

We are seeking a Senior Visual Media Specialist to lead video production, storytelling, and animation as part of our dynamic Creative Services Team. This role requires an experienced visual media professional with a strong background in filmmaking, post-production, and motion graphics, leveraging industry-standard tools like Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects. The ideal candidate will be highly skilled in using Sony a7S III cameras, ensuring top-tier cinematography and visual storytelling across various projects.

As a senior team member, this role will provide leadership and mentorship to other Visual Media Specialists, fostering a collaborative and creative environment. The Creative Services Team delivers high-quality print, digital, and video production services, requiring cross-functional teamwork to develop cohesive visual content that aligns with the organization's mission and goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Team Collaboration

• Provide creative direction and technical expertise to Visual Media Specialists, ensuring consistency and excellence across all video and motion projects.
• Collaborate closely with designers, writers, photographers, and other creative professionals to develop integrated print, digital, and video campaigns.
• Act as a key stakeholder in planning and strategy sessions for visual storytelling, ensuring alignment with branding and communication goals.
• Mentor and support team members by sharing best practices, improving workflows, and fostering innovation in video production techniques.

Video Production & Cinematography

• Lead the production of high-quality video content, including interviews, documentaries, promotional videos, and event coverage.
• Operate and maintain Sony a7S III cameras, ensuring high-end cinematography and optimized settings for various shooting conditions.
• Set up and manage lighting, audio, and camera equipment, ensuring professional-grade production quality.

Post-Production & Motion Graphics

• Edit video content with Adobe Premiere Pro, ensuring seamless storytelling, pacing, and color grading.
• Create motion graphics and animations using Adobe After Effects, incorporating kinetic typography, lower thirds, and special effects.
• Apply color correction, sound design, and visual effects to enhance video quality and engagement.
• Optimize video content for various platforms, including web, social media, and broadcast.

Storytelling & Creative Direction

• Conceptualize and develop compelling visual narratives that align with organizational messaging and audience engagement strategies.
• Work closely with writers, designers, and marketing teams to develop storyboards and creative briefs.
• Ensure all video and motion graphics align with brand guidelines, maintaining a consistent visual identity across print, digital, and video content.

Equipment & Workflow Optimization

• Manage and maintain camera gear, lenses, stabilizers, and other production equipment.
• Stay up to date with the latest trends in video production, animation, and camera technology.
• Streamline production workflows for efficiency and scalability, integrating with print and digital content strategies.

Competencies

• Technical Expertise – Advanced skills in video production, post-production, and motion graphics using Sony a7S III cameras and Adobe Creative Cloud (Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, Audition).
• Storytelling & Creative Direction – Ability to craft compelling visual narratives, maintain brand consistency, develop storyboards, and tailor content for various audiences and platforms.
• Leadership & Collaboration – Mentors Visual Media Specialists, collaborates with designers, writers, and marketers, manages multiple projects, and ensures high-quality content delivery.
• Strategic Thinking & Innovation – Integrates video, print, and digital media, stays ahead of industry trends, optimizes workflows, and explores emerging technologies to enhance production quality.

Qualifications

Education 

• Bachelor’s degree in Photography, Film Production, Media Arts, Animation, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Proven track record of 5-7 years in creative media production, showcased through an outstanding portfolio highlighting your skills in photography, video post-production, motion graphics, and storytelling.

Experience

• Expertise in Sony a7S III cameras, including settings, lenses, lighting, and audio recording.
• Strong experience in cinematography, color grading, sound design, and post-production workflows.
• Proven leadership experience, mentoring and guiding creative professionals within a team environment.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including designers, writers, photographers, and marketing professionals.
• Strong portfolio showcasing high-quality video production, animation, and visual storytelling.
• Experience managing multiple projects with tight deadlines while maintaining creative excellence.

Additional Information

Salary Range: $85,000 - $95,000

Starting salary to be determined based on experience and qualifications. 

All applications should include the following: 
•    Cover Letter clarifying your interest and qualifications for the role.
•    Resume
We won’t accept or review incomplete applications.

Work Setting: in-person (onsite)

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:
•    We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
•    Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
•    Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
•    Generous retirement savings options are available
•    Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
•    Enjoy a Free Commute on SEPTA - Starting September 1, 2023, eligible City employees will no longer have to worry about paying for SEPTA public transportation. Whether you're a full-time, part-time, or provisional employee, you can seize the opportunity to sign up for the SEPTA Key Advantage Program and receive free Key cards for free rides on SEPTA buses, trains, trolleys, and regional rails.
•    Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!
Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.