Lead Director of Photography

Job Description

Primary Function

The Lead Director of Photography is a creative and craft leader within Intuitive’s Studio, responsible for advancing the visual language of moving image, motion, and photography across Brand & Creative.

This is a hands-on role for someone with strong visual instincts, a clear point of view, and the range to move between creative development and execution. They can define how something should look and feel, then step behind the camera and make it happen.

The Lead DP partners closely with designers, art directors, writers, producers, editors, motion designers, and, as needed, strategy and social teams. They contribute as a creative peer to senior creative talent and executive creative leadership, confidently advocating for ideas while remaining curious, adaptable, and open to feedback from anyone.

Moving image is central to the role. The Lead DP also leads the development of Studio’s photography practice, creating high-end photography on select projects and elevating standards, practices, and output across the team. This responsibility does not include direct management of photographers.

We’re looking for someone who loves making things, brings fresh thinking, shares knowledge generously, and is as willing to do the heavy lifting as they are to lead the room.

What You’ll Do

Define and evolve our visual language

• Advance Studio’s approach to moving image, motion, and photography in close partnership with Creative.
• Contribute from the earliest stages of development, translating ideas, stories, and brand objectives into distinct visual approaches.
• Bring production craft into the development of ideas, helping shape what we make and how we make it.
• Explore new approaches to shooting, editing, lighting, composition, and motion that strengthen storytelling and help evolve the brand’s look and feel.

Lead cinematography and filmmaking

• Serve as lead DP across Studio productions, owning the approach to camera, lighting, lenses, composition, movement, coverage, and image capture.
• Develop treatments, visual references, shot lists, and storyboards, including rough sketches when useful.
• Direct projects, talent, interviews, or scenes when the assignment calls for it.
• Lead camera and lighting crews with clear direction, thoughtful preparation, and sound creative and technical judgment.
• Adapt to changing conditions while protecting the story, creative intent, and quality of the work.

Elevate the photography practice

• Shoot high-end photography on select assignments that benefit from your expertise.
• Establish and continually raise standards for lighting, composition, technique, and execution across photography produced by Studio and its partners.
• Improve photography workflows, equipment practices, and quality standards.
• Guide and mentor teammates and external partners through constructive feedback and shared expertise.

Shape the story through post

• Partner with editors and motion designers to develop new approaches to structure, pacing, rhythm, movement, and sound.
• Bring ideas and constructive creative challenge that help teammates expand how they tell stories.
• Contribute hands-on editing support when needed.
• On larger projects, contribute to casting, music, editorial, color, and finishing, staying engaged through final delivery.

Work independently and collaboratively

• Independently plan and execute smaller shoots, including assignments without a dedicated producer.
• Collaborate effectively within larger teams of creatives, producers, directors, agencies, production partners, and specialized crews.
• Recommend an approach and production scale appropriate to the idea, budget, schedule, and intended result.
• Prepare thoroughly, solve problems resourcefully, and follow through on commitments.

Strengthen the team

• Lead through the quality of your work, the clarity of your ideas, and how you treat people.
• Share knowledge and mentor teammates through the work, helping develop their craft, judgment, and confidence.
• Give useful feedback, welcome different perspectives, and share credit.
• Contribute beyond your own assignments to improve the work and capabilities of Studio and Brand & Creative.

What You Bring

• A strong body of work demonstrating accomplished cinematography, high-quality photography, and thoughtful visual storytelling. Please identify your contribution to each project.
• Deep practical knowledge of cameras, lenses, lighting, composition, movement, exposure, and image capture.
• The ability to connect visual decisions to a story, audience, and creative idea.
• The confidence and judgment to present ideas, lead a shoot, and collaborate as a peer with senior creative partners.
• The ability to communicate visually through references, treatments, shot lists, storyboards, or sketches.
• Working editing proficiency and an understanding of editorial, motion, music, color, and finishing.
• Resourcefulness across small independent assignments and larger productions.
• Curiosity, initiative, reliability, and a commitment to developing both your own work and the people around you.

How You Work Matters

Low ego is essential. You bring conviction without defensiveness, take feedback seriously regardless of its source, and treat everyone with respect. You remain willing to execute the details and do the heavy lifting, regardless of experience or seniority.

We welcome both emerging creative leaders ready for broader responsibility and experienced practitioners eager to contribute and mentor. Your work, judgment, and approach to collaboration matter.

Travel: Approximately 20% travel is expected, depending on production needs.

Qualifications

Required Skills, Experience, and Training

• 12+ years of experience 
• Experience working in or closely with Brand & Creative teams.
• A bachelor's degree in film, design, media arts, communications, or adjacent fields; equivalent professional experience is also acceptable.

Additional Information

Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19.  Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

Mandatory Notices

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer:  In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employees
who are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government’s licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan (“TCP”) (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).  

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee’s
start date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes. 

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on
business need and/or on the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the
candidate’s qualifications, consistent with applicable law.

Accommodation & Accessibility Notice:

Intuitive is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation during any part of the application or interview process, please contact People Services at [email protected].

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors, including experience, skills, and qualifications. The target base compensation ranges are listed.

Min. Salary Region 1: 171800 USD
Min. Salary Region 2: 146000 USD
Max. Salary Region 2: 210100 USD
Max. Salary Region 1: 247200 USD