Team Lead – Cinematography

Overview

Lifeway is seeking a Team Lead Cinematography to join our Media Creative team. The Team Lead - Cinematography oversees the work of cinematographers and photographers to produce visually compelling and cohesive narratives for Lifeway’s photo and video projects. They partner with the Manager to set priorities, coordinate project execution, and carry out their own assignments. This role blends hands-on production expertise with strong peer leadership skills, while also contributing to gear planning and budgeting that ensures both current and future production needs are met.

Why Lifeway? 

Lifeway is a place where you can bring your faith and work experience to join in the most important mission in the world: making disciples of Jesus Christ. Whether you’re a creator or storyteller, data guru or problem-solver, or anywhere in between, if you’re passionate about serving the church, we have a place for you. Lifeway has a strong Work from Anywhere (WFA) culture that is deeply focused on our mission and values. While headquartered in Nashville, TN, many of our positions are remote-eligible and have autonomy and flexibility with work hours. We provide equipment and resources to ensure team members have access to a productive and ergonomic workspace. We believe building relationships and community is essential to how we work together, so Lifeway hosts all-team meetings several times per year and provides travel for key team gatherings for remote-based team members. Full-time employees are eligible for enrollment in our comprehensive benefits plans including healthcare, vacation and sick time, holiday pay, care days, 401(k) plan, maternity and paternity leave, adoption assistance, mission trip time, and more. If this sounds like a place where you would be excited to serve the kingdom of God, we would love for you to join our team.

Learn more about our culture at team.lifeway.com/culture-code 

This is a hybrid remote/in-office position located within approximately a 2 hour radius of the Brentwood, TN area.   

             Relocation assistance available.#LI-Hybrid 

Responsibilities

• Lives out Lifeway’s mission and values, showing deep commitment to Kingdom work
• Leads the work of and supports a team of cinematographers and photographers, inspiring a creative and collaborative environment.
• Provides artistic and technical direction, ensuring alignment with project vision and objectives.
• Delegates and organizes assignments to align team capacity with project needs.
• Coaches and develops team members,
• sharing knowledge and providing mentorship that builds both technical and artistic excellence
• across the team.
• Oversees and executes individual media projects, partnering with Creative Producers and Line Producers to deliver on established vision.
• Remains engaged in production as a “boots on the ground” contributor while balancing broader team responsibilities.
• Builds strong relationships with peers across disciplines to align workflows and creative goals.
• Collaborates with the Post-Production Team to ensure a seamless transition from production to post-production.
• Consolidates equipment needs across cinematographers and photographers.
• Prepares reports and partners with the Manager to plan and budget for camera, lighting, audio, and related gear, recommending purchases that support both current and future initiatives.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree, not required

Master’s degree, not required

Doctorate in a related field, not required 

Skills, Knowledge, & Experiences, required

• 5+ years of experience in cinematography and photography, including both studio and field
• production
• Experience coordinating multiple priorities, delegating assignments, and executing projects in a team production environment
• Experience providing indirect leadership and cross-functional collaboration with creative teams
• Proven experience contributing to gear planning and budget recommendations
• Recognized expertise in cinematography, photography, and related production equipment, including cameras, lighting, audio, and grip
• Demonstrated excellence in planning, previsualization, and delegation, including storyboards, shot lists, lighting diagrams, and crew assignments
• Strong proficiency in problem-solving and innovation, applying creative and technical solutions to overcome production challenges
• Strong proficiency in organization and prioritization, balancing multiple projects and aligning team capacity with project needs
• Working knowledge of coaching and development, guiding cinematographers and photographers in technical and artistic growth
• Proficiency in written and verbal communication, ensuring clarity across cross-functional collaboration

Actively involved in an evangelical Christian church

Skills, Knowledge, & Experiences, preferred 

• Familiarity with pitching and brainstorming creative concepts
• Exposure to working with models and actors during productions
• Experience hiring contractors and collaborating with freelance crew
• Some travel required (including overnight)
• Must be able to work flexible hours during shoots, including evenings or weekends as needed
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 75 pounds and assist with setup and tear-down of production equipment