Visual Storytelling Manager

Wisconsin Conservation Voters is seeking a passionate, creative, and collaborative individual to join our clean energy campaign team. The Visual Storytelling Manager will be a key person in our climate change advocacy and will use their video and communications expertise to share and amplify how Wisconsinites are leading the transition to a clean energy future. This position lasts for one year with strong benefits, and the location is flexible around Wisconsin. This position will require frequent travel around the state outside of usual business hours.

Wisconsin Conservation Voters engages voters to protect Wisconsin’s environment. To achieve that, Wisconsin Conservation Voters advocates for sound environmental laws and policies, holds elected officials accountable for their votes and actions, and elects pro-conservation candidates who will champion our priority issues. Learn more about us at conservationvoters.org.

Wisconsin Conservation Voters is running an innovative consumer education campaign that educates Wisconsinites on how they can benefit from President Biden’s Affordable Clean Energy Plan, the largest investment in clean energy in world history. This storyteller position will develop video and other multimedia content to share how people are already taking advantage of these benefits and to show others how they can too. This position reports to the Deputy Director, can be based anywhere in Wisconsin, and will work closely with the Federal Clean Energy Campaign Manager, communications team, field team, and the government affairs team. This person will be responsible for the following:

• Shaping visual content strategy: Work with the clean energy campaign team to develop new ideas for content that will resonate with key audiences and drive people to take action.

• Doing outreach to consumers, partners, and others: Follow-up on leads and schedule interviews and photo shoots with consumers, coalition partners, businesses, and others.

• Producing videos: Shoot, edit, and produce short, shareable videos that appeal to new and existing audiences and drive people to take action, donate, and/or get involved.

• Using video and storytelling for social media: Work with the communications team to produce regular video content for social media, including TikToks, Youtube videos, Facebook stories, and Instagram reels.

• Photography: Take high quality photos of community, partner, and organization events and activities with a professional quality camera and edit and format photos for the organization’s needs.

• Writing scripts: Write video scripts and storyboards, with input from key staff to make sure content is aligned with organizational goals. Consult with colleagues to identify interviewees and local angles.

• Managing production schedule: Own and communicate the schedule for video production, planning backwards to make sure videos are finished on deadline, identifying where staff support is needed and delegating when necessary.

• Building and managing a content library: Create and manage a library of videos, facts/memes, photographs, gifs, and graphics organized by issue topic for easy access by the Communications Team and organization.

• Traveling to tell stories from the field: Spend significant time outside of the office to interview people, cover community and organizational events (oftentimes outside of 9 to 5 p.m.), and capture visual content needed to tell great stories.

• Developing creative and hard-hitting video ads: Develop videos to be used for digital and TV advertising, creating multiple versions and lengths for various placements.

• Working with vendors: Assist the Deputy Director in working with digital vendors to ensure videos remain on brand and are aligned with goals.

• Supporting communications team with copyediting: Assist communications team with proofreading written communications, including designed documents, emails and more.

• Participating in campaign activities like delivering community presentations, hosting events, or helping with door-to-door canvasses.
  

We are seeking candidates who are tenacious, self-starters, problem-solvers, innovators, and who will live our mission every day. You should have:

• At least 3 years of experience storyboarding, scripting, capturing, editing, and producing videos, as well as a mastery of video production software (Adobe Creative Cloud preferred) and best practices for shooting and editing footage.

• Adept in photography and photo formatting/editing.

• Experience developing questions and conducting interviews with people from diverse backgrounds.

• Demonstrated ability to create videos that appeal to hearts and minds by capturing and creating compelling stories – a background in photo/video journalism is highly preferred.

• Deep understanding of what messages will appeal to audiences and the ability to break down complex ideas into simple language and visuals.

• Experience using video for campaigns and/or issue advocacy strongly preferred.

• Strong organizational skills for files and content management.

• Good time management skills and an ability to turn around videos quickly.

• Some graphic design skills, including a working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud and Canva.

• Ability to juggle short and long-term video projects simultaneously while creating the plans needed to execute excellent creative work.

• Experience creating and formatting short-form videos on social media, including TikTok, Facebook stories, and Instagram reels.

• Reliable access to the internet, a phone to use for work purposes, and transportation for travel across the state as well as the ability to participate in campaign activities, like giving presentations or canvassing.

• Cultural competence:

  • Demonstrated awareness of one’s own cultural identity and the ability to learn and build on varying community norms.

  • Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture.

  • Understanding of how environmental issues intersect with racism and economic and social inequality in the U.S., and a passion for working to dismantle these systems.

We know there are great candidates who may not check all of these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven't considered. If that applies to you, don't hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

Work experience: At least three years experience of video communications work. Experience with non-profits, environmental issues, journalism, or other modes of storytelling is preferred but not required.

Technical equipment: If you prefer to use your own camera, editing, and other equipment, WCV will offer a small monthly stipend. Alternatively, the organization can provide equipment.

Physical requirements: The ability to drive, operate cameras and other gear, accompany door-to-door canvasses, lift materials weighing 10-20 pounds, assist set-up for events, and perform routine office duties such as typing at a computer and using a telephone.

Conditions: The location is flexible across Wisconsin. Travel will be required for video shoots in the field and to collaborate with other WCV staff. We have offices in Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Stevens Point and you can work in any of these offices or remotely. You will need a smartphone, and a laptop will be provided. This job requires regular travel throughout your region in Wisconsin, and reliable transportation and a valid driver's license are required. There will be frequent travel outside of usual working business hours.

Salary and benefits: Salary range is $55,000-$60,000 depending on experience. The position lasts for one year and is eligible for the following benefits: health and dental coverage, FSA plan, life insurance, and phone stipend. We offer generous paid time off, flexibility in working hours, mileage reimbursement for work travel, ability to work from home, and professional development opportunities.

Reports to: Deputy Director

Please note that as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, Wisconsin Conservation Voters employees are not eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Our commitment to racial justice and equity: We recognize that historic and current systems and decisions – including within the conservation community – have created injustice. Through our work we confront these injustices and fight for an equitable balance of power. We hold ourselves accountable to being inclusive and equitable in our own actions and within our organization. Read more about our commitment in our Guiding Principles here.

Email your resume, cover letter, multimedia portfolio with five relevant content samples, and three references to apply@conservationvoters.org, with “Visual Storytelling Manager” in the subject line. This position has a flexible start date in May 2024. Applications will be reviewed as received.