Visuals Operations Manager

Education Week•Bethesda, MD

10d•$70,900 - $90,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Visuals Operations Manager (VOM) is a mid-level newsroom leader who is responsible for daily operations within the visuals team including photo and video assignments, overseeing the staff and contract video producers, as well as producing and shooting photo and/or video if necessary, and picture editing. This person will work closely with the managing editor of visuals and immersive experience (M.E., VEX) to ensure Education Week thinks visual-first on content, high-quality photography and video for all content on and off platforms including print and other products and projects, as well as virtual and live events. The person in this role is a creative thinker with a passion for visual storytelling and a deep knowledge of visual journalism standards, a collaborative spirit, and strong organizational skills. The candidate should be a team player who is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment across multiple teams in the newsroom, as well as juggling multiple deadlines, ranging from breaking news to enterprise. As the Visuals and Immersive Experience team works across the company, this individual will be key to ensuring VEX provides rich visuals and visual storytelling for Education Week, as well as Market Brief and Top School Jobs. With oversight by and direction from the M.E., VEX, the VOM also works collaboratively with the VEX deputy managing editor, the newsroom leadership team, and other editors. The ideal candidate will work to support our mission—to help drive equitable educational opportunities and outcomes for all K-12 students—while embracing and executing the goals we set to sustain and grow the business. The ideal candidate will work closely with newsroom and company leaders to nurture our diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace environment, and to help ensure that our visuals content reflects those values. This full-time hybrid position is based in Education Week's Bethesda, MD., office in the Washington D.C. metro area. Candidates must be able to work in the Bethesda, MD. office or willing to relocate. The starting salary range for this position is $70,900 - $90,000.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in visual journalism or other visuals-related communications degree with 5 years of related leadership and visual journalism experience in media-related field
Strong visual journalist with extensive knowledge of photo and video technology
Possess excellent news judgment, with an ability to recognize news to oversee and deliver assignments with speed and sound professional judgment
Ability to provide visual storytelling guidance to other content teams by being able to conceptualize and deliver compelling visual work, and to articulate visual concepts and standards with clarity and confidence

Responsibilities

Manage the daily operation of VEX motion and stills, including assigning freelancers, managing a video producer and overseeing studio and equipment
Deep knowledge of visual journalists in the field and/or resources, such as Diversify Photo or Women Photograph
Identify, recruit, and retain a diverse talented pool of photographers, videographers and editors who understand our mission and can supply visual work that engage our readers
Work with the Newsroom Finance team and VEX ME to help create the annual budget and provide oversight of that budget, including month-end closing, supplying additional financial reports
Produce and execute photography and videography for multiple special events, in-person events and virtual gatherings
Coordinate assignments, and pitch, (video and photography) from ideation to completion, including communicating with story editors, the social team, and other newsroom staff; supporting and overseeing correspondence to freelancers, and ensuring all work adheres to design, production, and editorial standards
Edit photos for on and off-platform and print
Source and license images and video, and a deep understanding photo/video research and of wire and archival photography and video
Collaborate with the design team on execution of the product, and marketing on campaigns and product launches
Maintain high aesthetic and journalistic standards, ensuring that all visual content is compelling, relevant, and aligned with EdWeek standards
Demonstrates support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world of K-12 education