Director of Photography

Director of Photography Location Urbana, IL :

Director of Photography

Division Intercollegiate Athletics

The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) invites applications for an Director of Photography to support the department. In addition, the Director of Photography will play a critical role in supporting the broader strategic priorities of the DIA, and ultimately this position will help foster a life-changing experience for student-athletes.

Since 1892, DIA has operated on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to support its intercollegiate athletic programs. Today, DIA supports 21 intercollegiate varsity sports which compete as a part of the Big Ten Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. DIA provides the resources for over 500 student-athletes to participate at the highest levels of their respective sports. This extensive support ecosystem includes over 35 departments employing over 300 dedicated staff members including 80 plus varsity coaches working collaboratively to provide individualized championship-caliber opportunities to our student-athletes, in the classroom, in the competitive arena, and in personal and professional development, to enhance their growth and life preparation. The DIA mission is to Unify, Develop, Inspire, and Achieve, for the benefit of our student-athletes, our university, and our broader community.

DIA has set forth six strategic priorities to help guide and advance its overarching mission: Championship people, championship mindset; strategic innovation and investment; athletic success; financial sustainability; win championships; community engagement and enrichment. Together, these priorities present a cohesive vision for the direction of the department.

Organizational Relationship

This position will report to the Associate Athletic Director, Creative Solutions and Content

Job Summary

The Director of Photography leads all photography efforts for the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. This role is responsible for capturing compelling imagery that supports storytelling, enhances the Illinois Athletics brand across platforms, and serves marketing, communications, and team initiatives. The position also oversees the department's photo archive, maintains digital asset systems, and mentors student photographers. This is a hands-on role for a visual storyteller who thrives in fast-paced environments and understands how photography shapes perception, builds fandom, and contributes to a world-class student-athlete experience.

For a complete list of duties and responsibilities, you can view the complete

Impact in Your First Year

Within 3 months, you will:

• Establishes a consistent, high-quality photo presence across all Illinois Athletics platforms by leading coverage of priority events and initiating stylized shoots for social, marketing, and print needs.
• Implements clear photo workflows and asset organization strategies, improving turnaround time and accessibility of imagery for internal stakeholders.
• Builds strong relationships with creative, communications, and sport-specific staff to align photography output with broader storytelling goals.
• Begins mentoring student photographers and evaluating areas of growth within the photo archive and file systems (e.g., PhotoShelter, metadata tagging).

Within 6 months, you will:

• Leads creative direction for department-wide and team-specific photography campaigns, ensuring brand cohesion across digital, print, and in-venue assets. Improves archival infrastructure and begins digitizing legacy content, contributing to long-term visual history and future campaign needs.
• Develops a dependable student photography pipeline through a structured training and feedback system, increasing quality and consistency in event coverage.
• Enhances collaboration across Creative Solutions by aligning photography with design and video to elevate campaign storytelling.

By the end of the first year, you will:

• Positions Illinois Athletics as a visual leader among Power Five programs by producing nationally recognized photo content across sports.
• Fully modernizes the department's digital asset management system, including archive digitization and robust metadata standards
• Establishes a scalable, repeatable process for student photographer development, allowing the department to increase coverage without compromising quality.
• Contributes to multiple initiatives by producing polished, stylized imagery that highlights the Illinois experience and athlete brand potential.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Any combination totaling five (5) years (60 months) from the following categories:
  • college course work in photography, digital manipulation and processing or a closely related field, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
    • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
    • Associate's Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
    • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
    • Bachelor's Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
  • progressively more responsible work experience in professional photographic work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in photography, graphic arts, communications or sports administration or closely related field.
• 4 years' experience in in sports photography, or related field.
• Demonstrated ability to lead photo coverage for a wide range of sports, including fast-paced live events and controlled environments (e.g., studio or staged shoots)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Maintain knowledge of, and compliance with, specific NCAA, Big Ten Conference, and institution rules that relate to this position is required. Strong knowledge of photographic equipment, editing software, and asset management practices. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop and Camera Raw; familiarity with MacOS. Working knowledge of studio lighting and off-camera flash setups. Ability to manage digital files, metadata, and workflow across large volumes of content. Strong interpersonal skills; able to work effectively with coaches, staff, and student-athletes. High level of creativity, attention to detail, and artistic judgment. Strong organizational skills and the ability to meet tight deadlines. Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Championship Mindset and Expectations Understands and displays professionalism and integrity that builds and maintains trust between student-athletes and fellow DIA staff; Prioritizes and contributes to the life changing student-athlete experience; Adheres to University, DIA, Big Ten, and NCAA rules and regulations; Commitment to the Athletics Department and University's mission and values; Flexible to various scheduling to include nights, weekend work and some holidays, team travel; and Maintain professional competency and skills required for professional practice.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 3038 - Senior Photographer position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 6/30/2025. Salary is commensurate with experience.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at

Become an Illinois professional at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and be part of a dynamic community dedicated to making a positive impact on both local and global scales, advancing knowledge, and fostering creativity. Learn more about why YOU should join us.

DIA believes that athletics provides a forum to bring together people across all spectra of identities. We are committed to welcoming, affirming, and celebrating students, coaches, staff, and spectators of all races and ethnicities, sexes, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and abilities. DIA's mission is to unify, develop, inspire, and achieve. It is no mistake that “Unify” is our first priority, a priority which requires a level of empathy and respect to create a culture of community, inclusivity, and belonging. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are a part of who we are and a standard that we are all responsible for upholding.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on June 5, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Krissy Doran. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing [email protected].

Requisition ID : 1030995 Job Category : Technical Apply at: