Lead Videographer

Gallagher • Rolling Meadows, IL

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Lead Videographer is a senior technical member of Gallagher’s in-house creative agency, The Marketing Studio. Serving as the primary camera operator and on-set technical authority, this role sets the visual and technical standard for the broader videography team across the globe. Reporting to the Associate Creative Director for Video, the Lead Videographer partners closely with Art Directors, Motion Designers, Editors, and Video Operations to plan and execute high-quality videos that align with brand and marketing goals. This role plays a key part in defining the visual approach for capturing video content within Gallagher, helping to elevate the overall craft and consistency of the team.

Requirements

• University Degree or equivalent experience and minimum 5 years of prior relevant experience.
• 8+ years of experience in video production, with a strong portfolio demonstrating advanced cinematography, lighting design, and on-set leadership.
• Expert-level proficiency with professional cinema and photography cameras, lens systems, and lighting equipment across a range of production formats and environments.
• Strong understanding of video specifications, compression techniques, format constraints, color theory, and camera-to-cloud transfer workflows.
• Working knowledge of OBS, Teradek, teleprompting, and other systems.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects, and photo editing software such as Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead crew on set with confidence and clarity.
• Ability to produce high-quality content from both structured and minimal creative briefs under tight deadlines.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Strong organizational skills and keen attention to technical detail across all phases of production.
• Impeccable on-set etiquette and demonstrated experience working with C-suite talent and senior stakeholders.
• A proactive and solution-oriented mindset, with the ability to troubleshoot technical and logistical challenges in real time.
• A flexible and adaptable approach, always seeking improvements and forward-thinking solutions.
• Receptive to feedback and committed to applying notes during quality assessments, while also providing constructive guidance to junior team members with clarity and care.

Nice To Haves

• Documentary or corporate experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Video Producers and Art Directors to define the visual approach, shot list, and equipment strategy for each project during pre-production planning.
• Attend pre-production meetings with key stakeholders, contributing technical expertise and on-set recommendations to inform the production plan.
• Exercise advanced on-brand creative decision-making within the established project scope, bringing a strong cinematographic perspective to the pre-production process.
• Operate cameras and audio equipment on all productions, making real-time decisions around exposure, framing, and audio levels to ensure the highest quality capture.
• Lead lighting design and setup on set, collaborating with the ACD Video and Studio Manager to ensure the production environment is optimized for capture.
• Elevate and execute the Marketing Studio vision across various types of media shoots, including video, photo, and audio recordings.
• Manage multiple camera angles and ensure cohesive, consistent coverage across all shooting scenarios (firesides, panels, interviews, etc.).
• Model best practices in camera operation, lighting, audio capture, technical standards, and professional conduct.
• Work with external vendors, agencies, and freelancers as needed to supplement in-house capabilities and resources.
• Oversee the upload and ingestion of video footage from shoots, ensuring files are transferred correctly and organized according to established naming conventions and folder structures.
• Manage file storage and archiving after projects are completed, ensuring assets are catalogued and accessible for future use.
• Stay up-to-date with post-production AI tools such as Adobe Podcast and ElevenLabs.
• Maintain expertise in Frame.io Camera-to-Cloud workflows and other required production technologies, ensuring footage reaches teams efficiently and without data loss.
• Perform advanced editing functions including creating selects and assemblies, audio syncing, color assessment, and green screen keying when required.
• Evaluate footage quality post-shoot to assess technical performance, identify areas for improvement, and share findings with the broader video team.
• Maintain high-quality broadcast and recording output across all productions, proactively identifying and resolving technical challenges on set and in post.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and manage the team’s video production equipment inventory, ensuring all gear remains in full working order and is properly logged and stored.
• Evaluate new equipment, camera systems, and recording formats for workflow compatibility, making recommendations to the ACD, Video on upgrades and acquisitions.
• Stay informed of the latest videography trends, techniques, and technologies, and share relevant insights with the team to continuously elevate production standards.
• Maintain b-roll libraries and catalogue digital cinematography assets, ensuring the team’s archive is organized, searchable, and up to date.
• Support the ACD, Video in forecasting production needs, assessing team capacity, and contributing to workflow planning across the broader video production practice.

Benefits

• Medical/dental/vision plans, which start from day one!
• Life and accident insurance
• 401(K) and Roth options
• Tax-advantaged accounts (HSA, FSA)
• Educational expense reimbursement
• Paid parental leave
• Digital mental health services (Talkspace)
• Flexible work hours (availability varies by office and job function)
• Training programs
• Gallagher Thrive program – elevating your health through challenges, workshops and digital fitness programs for your overall wellbeing
• Charitable matching gift program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree