Senior Photo Editor

$77,100 - $103,400/Yr

National Geographic - Washington, DC

Full-time - Senior

Washington, DC

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations

About the position

The Senior Photo Editor for National Geographic is a pivotal role that involves developing, pitching, and producing compelling visual stories across various platforms, including NationalGeographic.com, our app, and print magazines, with a strong emphasis on social media production. This position requires leveraging an extensive global network of photographers and a passion for diverse storytelling approaches to produce and assign evocative and detailed stories. The Senior Photo Editor will collaborate closely with the social media team to curate photography for our accounts, ensuring that the visual elements align perfectly with the narratives being told. A meticulous and passionate approach to researching imagery is essential, as the Senior Photo Editor will be responsible for finding the perfect visual elements to accompany each story. This role involves collaboration with photographers, writers, text editors, producers, and designers, utilizing diverse talents to create powerful multiplatform visual storytelling that is the cornerstone of National Geographic's mission. The Senior Photo Editor's refined taste, editorial judgment, and innovative approach will redefine visual storytelling, particularly in the digital space, setting new standards for multiplatform visual journalism. In addition to producing high-quality content, the Senior Photo Editor will mentor entry and mid-level visual editors, fostering a highly effective team that creates content across platforms that resonates with audiences. The role requires a deep commitment to excellence in visual storytelling, with a focus on subjects such as archaeology, wildlife, science and health, and technology. Through the power of photography, the Senior Photo Editor will inspire and illuminate the wonders of our world.

Responsibilities

• Pitch thoroughly developed ideas in a well-structured written format, with a clear central theme and a strong hook, leveraging data and an understanding of audience preferences across platforms.
• Assign, direct, produce, and acquire a wide range of photographic stories for use across platforms, including digital, social, and print, while adhering to operational excellence guidelines.
• Collaborate with the social team on curating images for our accounts, telling stories across platforms, and identifying new opportunities for engagement.
• Manage a variety of editorial projects, including newsstand-only single-topic issues and recurring franchises, by collaborating with video producers, text editors, writers, designers, and cartographers.
• Manage deliverables, assets, and workflows, ensuring accurate caption information, verifying credit lines, archiving, and transmitting images, while working with pre-press on color correction and image veracity.
• Provide field support to photographers, including securing visas, permits, releases, and specialized equipment, as well as ensuring compliance with Disney onboarding practices.
• Contribute to newsletters as needed.

Requirements

• Minimum of five years of experience as a photo editor, with a deep focus on editorial and documentary work.
• Highly calibrated understanding of what makes a great breakthrough story in a content-saturated era.
• Awareness of and adaptability to changing industry trends and technologies, especially in social media.
• Excellent visual taste and writing skills.
• Ability to work effectively and positively in a fast-paced environment, achieving strategic team goals through multitasking and problem-solving.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, capable of collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Self-motivated with the ability to exercise independent judgment and work with minimal supervision.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to maintain visual excellence within timelines and budgets.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with social media platforms.
• Software experience: Filemaker, Asana, Slack, Air Table; Keynote, Lightroom, Photo Mechanic, Photo Supreme, Photoshop.

Benefits

• Medical, financial, and other benefits depending on the level and position offered.
• Bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package.