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CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
Penn State’s Office of Strategic Communications—the University’s central public relations and marketing division—seeks an innovative Senior Visual Content Specialist to join its dynamic, award-winning creative team. The successful candidate will contribute to the creative expression of the Penn State brand and provide day-to-day leadership of the visual content team.
Reporting to the Lead Visual Content Specialist, the person in this role will actively contribute to the production process from conception to completion, proactively and collaboratively engaging with other members of the creative team and consulting with stakeholders across academic, administrative, and research units to produce multimedia content that inspires and engages key audiences and supports institutional priorities.
Due to the in-person requirements associated with visual content production, this position is expected to be in the office five days a week and will require occasional evening and weekend hours.
Key Responsibilities
The person in this position will:
- Understand the brand-level goals and strategies of each creative project and how these can translate to the most appropriate, effective, on-brand, on-trend, and industry-leading creative multimedia solutions
- Manage available resources to execute and successfully deliver effective, compelling, and differentiating University-level multimedia content that strengthens the Penn State brand and supports strategic priorities of the University
- Assist in managing the resources of the visual content team within the central Office of Strategic Communications
- Research and develop content, brainstorm script ideas, establish and communicate production schedules, conduct interviews, and edit all components into compelling brand storytelling products
- Recommend opportunities to elevate the Penn State brand through storytelling
- Provide thorough, efficient, and clear communication to other team members, the Lead Visual Content Specialist, and, when appropriate, leadership and internal and external stakeholders
- Maintain creative exploration and evolution by remaining knowledgeable about industry trends (design, motion, storytelling, PR, and marketing), technology advancements, and the latest tools and tactics in visual storytelling
Preferred Skills and Experience
The ideal candidate will:
- Possess a thorough understanding of the production process (pre-production, production, and post-production) and have experience planning, supporting, and creating high-quality productions
- Possess thorough, informed knowledge of industry standards for content production and skills in new production, editing, and motion-design trends and methods, including colorization and AI-supported production optimization
- Be a collaborative team player and project leader that is highly organized, both digitally and communicatively
- Be able to interpret and create highly detailed and efficient communications that include project summaries and updates as well as technical production documents
- Have knowledge of or experience with directing production crews, script writing, graphic design, motion design, and AI image generation for creative concepting
Application Instructions:
To be fully considered, please include links to your production work along with a description of your role in each project when submitting your application.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree
6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
Required Certifications:
None
About Penn State’s Office of Strategic Communications
As Penn State’s central public relations and marketing division, the Office of Strategic Communications is a fully integrated, award-winning, best-in-class marketing and public relations team defined by innovative strategy and breakthrough creative driven by measurable goals. We advance the University by strengthening and protecting the institution’s reputation in regional, national and international spheres of influence in ways that serve recruitment, resource and leadership goals.
Spanning Penn State’s large-scale enterprise—including campus locations across Pennsylvania, nearly 90,000 students, and an alumni base exceeding 700,000—the Office of Strategic Communications’ work encompasses all forms of communications and engagement, ranging from branding, marketing, and trademark and event management to internal communications, proactive and social media, research communications, and crisis and issues management. We’ve attracted talented and diverse team members from private and public sectors at all levels of our division, giving us the ability to build a strategic program of excellence recognized throughout the University.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $65,508.00 - $94,980.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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