Job Details
Requisition Number: S3168
Position Number: 997920
Position Classification Title: Visual Arts Specialist
Functional Title: Photographer
Position Type: Staff
University Information
Located in North Carolina's third largest city, UNC Greensboro is among the most diverse, learner-centered public research universities in the state, with 18,000 students in eight colleges and schools pursuing more than 150 areas of undergraduate and over 200 areas of graduate study. UNCG continues to be recognized nationally for academic excellence, access, and affordability. UNCG is ranked No. 1 most affordable institution in North Carolina for net cost by the N.Y. Times and No. 1 in North…
Carolina for social mobility by The Wall Street Journal — helping first-generation and lower-income students find paths to prosperity. Designated an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, UNCG is a community-engaged research institution with a portfolio of more than $67M in research and creative activity. The University's 2,600 staff help create an annual economic impact for the Piedmont Triad region in excess of $1B.
Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit
University Advancement elevates UNCG's reputation, advances institutional strategy, and fosters community pride through integrated communications aligned with its public mission as a student-centered research university. The department develops and executes strategic communications and marketing initiatives that enhance visibility, engage key audiences, and convey the University's distinctive value. Working across schools, colleges, and administrative units, University Communications manages media relations, marketing campaigns, content strategy, branding, digital engagement, sponsorships, and crisis communications.
Position Summary
The Photographer is a skilled visual media professional within the Office of University Communications, responsible for planning and executing photography assignments across the University in support of marketing, communications, enrollment, advancement, and institutional needs. Reporting to the Senior Assistant Director of Image Services, this position produces high-quality imagery for a broad range of University communications channels — including print publications, digital marketing, websites, social media, and advertising — under the creative direction of the Image Services team leadership.
The Photographer brings technical expertise, artistic sensibility, and professionalism to every assignment, capturing compelling imagery of University events, campus life, portraits, academic programs, research, and special projects. This position works collaboratively within the Image Services team and in close coordination with University Communications colleagues to ensure photographic content meets the University's brand standards and serves the communications needs of requesting departments and units.
Minimum Qualifications
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENCY AND TWO YEARS OF VISUAL/GRAPHIC ARTS EXPERIENCE RELATED TO THE AREA OF ASSIGNMENT; OR EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in photography, visual communications, fine arts, or a closely related field.
- Minimum of two (2) to three (3) years of professional photography experience across a range of subjects and production environments.
- A strong portfolio demonstrating technical proficiency and artistic range across event, portrait, editorial, and environmental photography.
- Expert proficiency with professional DSLR or mirrorless camera systems and professional lighting equipment.
- Proficiency with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop for post-production processing and retouching.
- Strong organizational skills and reliable deadline management.
- Professional, approachable demeanor in working with University subjects, clients, and colleagues.
- Experience in higher education, editorial, or institutional photography.
- Proficiency in video production and editing.
- Familiarity with digital asset management platforms.
- Experience with drone photography and FAA Part 107 certification.
- Background in architectural, environmental, or product photography.
Alternate Option
If no applicants apply who meet the required competency level and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants are required to upload a list of at least three (3) professional references that includes:
- Name,
- Company Name,
- Type of reference (Professional, Supervisor, Colleague, Academic, or Personal). One (1) of those references will need to be a current or previous supervisor.
- Email Address
- Contact Phone Number
Recruitment Range: $37,440 - $42,654
Org #-Department: University Communications - 33901
Work Hours of Position: 8 A.M - 5 P.M., M-F Occasional nights and weekends
Number of Months per Year: 12
Job Family: Information & Education
Career Banded Title: Visual Arts Specialist
Open Date: 10/15/2026
Close Date: 11/04/2026
FTE : 1.000
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Key Responsibility: Photography Production & Assignment Coverage
Essential Tasks:
- Plan and execute photography assignments across a wide range of University subjects and environments, including academic and campus life, faculty and student portraits, research and laboratory settings, athletics, events, architectural and environmental subjects, and special marketing campaigns.
- Apply professional photographic techniques in managing composition, lighting, exposure, and depth of field to produce technically excellent and visually compelling imagery in both controlled and dynamic shooting conditions.
- Direct photographic subjects during portrait and studio sessions, creating a comfortable and professional environment that results in authentic, high-quality imagery.
- Cover University events — including Commencement, public lectures, athletic events, donor and alumni gatherings, and student programs — capturing key moments, speakers, and audiences.
- Adapt quickly to changing lighting conditions, unpredictable environments, and shifting assignment requirements, maintaining quality output across all production contexts.
Key Responsibility: Post-Production & Image Processing
Essential Tasks:
- Select, edit, and retouch photography to production-ready standards using Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, and related post-production software, delivering files in formats and resolutions appropriate for their intended use.
- Ensure all edited imagery meets University brand standards for color, tone, cropping, and visual style as established by the Art Director and Senior Assistant Director of Image Services.
- Meet turnaround timelines for post-production work, delivering edited images within agreed deadlines for publication, digital distribution, or client review.
- Maintain organized working files and post-production workflows that support efficient delivery and archiving of image assets.
Key Responsibility: Asset Management & Archive Contribution
Essential Tasks:
- Upload, tag, and archive completed photography in the University's digital asset management system in accordance with established metadata standards, file naming conventions, and organizational protocols.
- Maintain accurate records of shoot assignments, image usage, subject releases, and licensing information.
- Contribute to maintaining a current, well-organized, and searchable University image library that serves the needs of communications and marketing users across campus.
Key Responsibility: Equipment Management & Team Collaboration
Essential Tasks:
- Maintain assigned photography equipment in good working order, reporting maintenance needs and recommending replacements or additions as appropriate.
- Collaborate with the Senior Assistant Director of Image Services and Image Services team colleagues on shared equipment logistics, scheduling coordination, and coverage planning.
- Work collaboratively with University Communications colleagues — including designers, writers, and digital specialists — to understand project context and ensure photography effectively serves its intended communications purpose.
- Assist with video production tasks as needed in support of Image Services team capacity and project requirements.
Competency: Client/Customer Service
Competency Description: Ability to understand client/customer needs and work within set guidelines and parameters.
Competency Level: Contributing
Competency: Project Management
Competency Description: Ability to understand customer needs and work in conjunction (as a team member) with higher-level specialists on delivery of ideas and products. Ability to create visual art as it relates to a specific area or module of the project. Ability to contribute ideas, recommendations, and solutions to reach project goals.
Competency Level: Contributing
Competency: Technical Solution Development
Competency Description: General knowledge of troubleshooting techniques as they relate to software, hardware and equipment problems.
Competency Level: Contributing
Competency: Knowledge – Technical
Competency Description: General knowledge of standard and routine design and visual art principles and elements. General knowledge of standardized and commonly accepted design procedures and techniques.
Competency Level: Contributing
Physical Effort: Hand Movement-Repetitive Motions - F, Hand Movement-Grasping - F, Holding - F, Finger Dexterity - F, Vision-Skilled Trades, Reading - F, Writing - F, Eye-hand coordination - F, Vision-Color Distinction - C, Vision-Visual inspection - c, Hearing - F, Talking - F, Standing - F, Sitting - F, Walking - F, Lifting-30-60 lbs. - F
Work Environment: Location - Roof - R, Night/Dark - O, Inside - F, Outside - F