Video Production Specialist

The Morton Arboretum is seeking a creative, detail-oriented Video Production Specialist to join the Creative Team within the Marketing and Guest Experience Department. This role serves as the primary videographer, and is responsible for producing a wide variety of video content supporting marketing and advertising objectives across owned and earned media channels. Reporting to the Creative Director, the Video Production Specialist will own projects from concept through delivery — ideating, shooting, editing, and collaborating closely with stakeholders to deliver compelling, best-in-class content that drives department objectives and elevates the Arboretum brand. Location: The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL (Hybrid) Position Summary: Serve as the primary videographer and be responsible for producing a wide variety of video content supporting marketing and advertising objectives across owned and earned media channels. Facilitate projects from concept through completion — ideating, shooting, editing, and collaborating closely with stakeholders to deliver compelling, best-in-class content that drives department objectives and elevates the Arboretum brand. Essential Functions: * Produce, shoot, and edit video projects ranging from digital advertising deliverables to social media content. * Ability to edit both short and longform content with an eye for storytelling, pacing, music selection, and motion graphic integration. * Manage multiple projects with competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment. * Ideate and pitch original content ideas in alignment with Arboretum brand strategy and departmental/institutional goals. * Collaborate closely with colleagues in Marketing and Guest Experience and various stakeholders throughout the Arboretum. * Shoot in a variety of indoor/outdoor settings, lighting conditions, and weather. * Lead pre-production planning, scheduling, and coordinating shoots on-location at the Arboretum and throughout Chicagoland. Some possible international travel. * Maintain, inventory, and expand video equipment within budget. * Log, organize and maintain video assets, including archiving, media management, and metadata tagging. * Stay current on video trends, styles, and best practices across social and digital platforms. * Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum’s employee core values. * Other duties as assigned. Qualifications: Associate’s degree required, preferably in video production, marketing, communications, film, or related field of study. Mandatory 4+ years of professional experience creating video content at agency or related in-house environment preferred; freelance experience acceptable. Proven ability to tell compelling stories through best-in-class videos to engage a variety of audiences. Expert knowledge of operating video equipment and editing applications are essential, including proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Audition, and DiVinci Resolve. Familiarity with Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop strongly preferred. Drone pilot license or willingness to obtain a license upon employment required. Must be highly organized with strong written and verbal communication skills. Proficiency with Google applications beneficial. Success Factors: Creative, innovative, a team player, and a self-starter. Deep understanding of digital advertising and social media strategy. Ability to generate ideas and passionate about storytelling. Strong organizational skills and ability to handle multiple assignments simultaneously and quickly turnaround best-in-class deliverables with strong attention to detail. Keen understanding of working within brand guidelines. Willingness and ability to accept and incorporate feedback. Collaborative, customer service-oriented individual with the ability to relate effectively with people of various backgrounds and ages; and listen to and respond to the Arboretum’s internal and external audiences. Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. * Physical Demands: Work requires some physical activity: lifting and carrying video equipment (up to 50 lbs.), and walking over a variety of terrain in all weather conditions. Some local or international travel. * Work Environment: Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in all seasons, weather, and lighting conditions. * Equipment: General office equipment, Apple computer, cinematic and/or mirrorless video camera, general video production equipment, Adobe Creative Cloud applications (Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition, Illustrator, Photoshop) and DaVinci Resolve. * Schedule: Requires being on-site frequently to capture timely footage in all conditions, including some early morning, evening, and weekend work for production shoots and events. The expected hiring range for this exempt position is annualized at $65,000 - $75,000 based on experience that will be evaluated during the candidate selection process. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of the final offer. This position is also eligible for a competitive benefits package. For full consideration, please include a resume and portfolio/demo reel. The Morton Arboretum is a champion of diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal opportunity employer- disability/veteran. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.