Photo Coordinator, National Geographic

Department/Group Overview:

The Photo Coordinator will join the Photo Department (25 people) of National Geographic Media. They will be one of several coordinators assisting the many photo editors producing compelling content for our digital and print stories on animals, science, environment, travel, and history/culture.

Job Summary:

The Photo Coordinator will work with multiple Photo Editors in the research, development and production of photographic stories for the National Geographic print and digital platforms. This role includes supporting activities around the management of media assets which will be shared with various platforms and teams, including but not limited to nationalgeographic.com, video production, social media branded sites, and internal, regional, and global departments including Communications, NG Image Collection, NG Society, and Rights Clearance.

The ideal candidate has the demonstrated ability to work independently and in an organized fashion, make editorial judgments, and problem solve creatively. The position encompasses technical, creative, organizational and administrative tasks. It requires excellent research skills to assist in researching magazine stories and technical skills to support and create visual presentations. Organizationally, it requires the ability to manage visual assets throughout the production process, proficiency with software related to photography and publishing, workflow related to publishing on digital and social media platforms, and literacy with journalistic ethics.

Administratively, it requires acting as a liaison between the senior photographic staff and multiple other internal and external groups, maintaining multiple schedules, assisting with budgets, coverage plans, organization of photo shoots, and necessary paperwork including restrictions, releases, permits, carnets, and letters of introduction.

Responsibilities and Duties of the Role:

• Research and Budgeting Provide editorial and visual research and creative brainstorming, for the development of long-form articles for Photo Editors and photographers using print and online sources. Create and monitor budgets for commissioned assignments and stock package photography.
• Pre-production story management: Work directly with the assigned photographer, providing production and field support as needed including booking locations, arranging for local managers, risk documentation, coordinating interviews, securing visas, permits, and releases, etc. Assist on remote photo shoots and those at headquarters as needed.
• Post-production story management: Coordinate the digital and analog workflows and multimedia management: create new projects in Media Grid, release final trays to research/legends, transfer files to K4 for layout, enter dummy and final captions for published and web images, verify credit lines, transmit film/files to Engraving and Printing. Organize and archive image releases and restrictions for future use.
• Digital story production: Handle digital production for the online expression of long-form print stories e.g. entering all images and metadata into the CMS, DAM, and Rights Management systems.
• Story liaison and Administrative: Serve as a liaison between other divisions of NGS and NGP, offering expertise, information, and assets for ongoing photographic projects for such diverse projects as communication and advertising campaigns, gallery shows, presentations, etc.

Required Education, Experience/Skills/Training:

Qualifications:

• 2 years of experience in editorial development, publishing, or photo production preferred
• Experience with production for digital platforms, literacy in multimedia and related ethics, and/or experience with large-scale social media accounts.
• Must be adept (or able to learn) on a Mac and with basic software such as Microsoft Office Suite, Filemaker Pro, Dropbox (or equivalent), DAM and CMS systems, web-based applications, and image software

Knowledge and skills required:

• Understanding of photography, videography, and mobile storytelling.
• Knowledge of  Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel), Adobe Creative Suite ( Photoshop, Lightroom, Acrobat), image editing software (Media Pro, Photo Mechanic, or equivalent), Keynote, CMS (content management), and DAM (digital asset management) systems.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills: ability to assist editors with story production and deadlines; multitask and prioritize while working on multiple projects for several photo editors simultaneously); manage visual assets for purposes of production and archiving.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills: ability to manage and communicate with many creative minds, personalities, and processes; collaborate across departments (photo, video, mobile, podcasts, social, communications)
• Self-motivated and resourceful, with the ability to work with minimal supervision and exercise independent judgment.
• Experience with documentary visual storytelling from pitch to completion; familiarity with the photography industry; and strong visual taste a plus.
• Expertise in National Geographic’s core interest areas (natural history, environment, science, history/culture, travel) is a plus.

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