Department Background:

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Center for Conservation Media (Conservation Media) is a full-scale media production and communication strategy group, specializing in science-based content primarily focused on biodiversity conservation. Our explanatory media, documentary films, data visualizations, educational materials, and social media are designed to support scientific institutions, governmental agencies, conservation practitioners, local communities, and organizations around the world to impact priority environmental issues that are integral to sustaining species, ecosystems, and human livelihoods.

Our operating approach is to identify urgent issues where science is under-utilized; forge alliances with the local, regional, and international stakeholders leading established initiatives to accomplish specific objectives; work closely with those partners to co-design and produce high-quality content, educational tools, and media kits for tactical outreach; and disseminate media assets to all groups that are dedicated to a given conservation issue.

Position Summary:

The Senior Producer is a leadership role responsible for the editorial and budgetary oversight of Conservation Media’s portfolio of projects and staff.

The Senior Producer serves as the lead, mentor, and supervisor of the unit Producers, working closely with each Producer, to expertly guide projects from development through post-production. The Senior Producer ensures that each project fulfills editorial, financial, scheduling, and partner expectations. This role holds ultimate responsibility that factual information of each production is properly presented, meets Cornell University’s editorial standards, as well as the terms set out through partnerships with government agencies, non-government organizations, and community groups. The Senior Producer possess the ability to recognize growth potential for new and existing projects that align with Conservation Media’s impact goals.

The Senior Producer collaborates with the unit’s Center Director to define the unit’s strategic plan, evaluate staffing decisions, and develop partnerships including meeting with board members, donors, and partners.

Leadership

• Lead and provide day-to-day supervision for a team of experienced Producers.
• Manage external freelancers and service providers, ensuring deliverables satisfy contractual obligations.
• Guide projects from development through post-production, delivering projects on time, on budget.
• Foster a collaborative team environment with clear communication, equitable leadership, and commitment to accountability.

Unit Strategy

• Collaborate with Center Director, Managing Science Editor, and the unit’s Program Manager to identify production opportunities that align with the unit’s long- and short-term strategic plan goals, capacity, and resources.
• Provide prudent stewardship of the unit’s overall production funds in accordance with university policy and practices.

Partner Development

• Cultivate and maintain trusted and productive relationships with key partners, institutions, and individuals, to foster a network of resources and opportunities for the Center.
• Represent and act as Lab liaison for Conservation Media raising regard for the Center in meetings, events, and presentations with internal and external institutions, organizations, and individuals, within and outside of the United States.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Cornell communicators share a mission to enhance and preserve the university’s brand and reputation as a top research institution and a leader in higher education, and to support and promote critical programs that serve the university’s teaching, research, and public engagement mission. 

Communication services are carried out through a matrixed organizational system in which University Relations houses the departments of News (Cornell Chronicle), Media Relations (pitching and servicing media requests), Brand (Cornell.edu, multimedia production), Strategic Communications (communications plans, key messaging, campus statements, social media management), and Cornellians (digital alumni publication).

Communicators in colleges, schools, and units regularly collaborate with, and consult, University Relations departments. University Relations serves as a partner and resource for all unit communicators.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 2-3 days per week and on-site 2-3 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke, or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

What You Need (Qualifications):

We are seeking a team member who is highly organized, experienced in all aspects of media production, and has proven leadership skills.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, film/video production or relevant field and/or a minimum of 5 years of Producer experience producing media that incorporates communicating science for the purposes of conservation and/or science education to a wide range of audiences.
• Minimum of 3-5  years of experience in a leadership role responsible for, producers, production and post-production staff, and remote crews.
• Demonstrable experience managing complex project deliverables on-budget, on schedule.
• Demonstrable experience directing post-production including scriptwriting, supervision of edits, and managing deadlines.
• Possess excellent organizational, editorial, and oral/written communication skills and employ responsible storytelling practices. 
• Strong operational skills specifically in the areas of project and production management.
• Knowledge of natural history filming demands.
• Strong budget portfolio management skills.
• Must maintain a valid passport and driver’s license
• Ability to work well with others while creating a high quality and respectful work environment. 
• Must complete Cornell University Supervisory Development Training within one year of hire into the position.  
• Compliant with all Cornell University and job-related training requirements.
• Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences.  
• Proven experience connecting inclusion, belonging and wellbeing practices to business goals. 

If you possess these experiences and skills this may be the role for you! There are a few other qualifications we would view as incredibly helpful in this role, to include: 

• A minimum of 7 years in a leadership role for a conservation or natural history organization

• A master’s degree in science journalism.
• Advanced training or degree in natural sciences, conservation, communications/journalism or similar.
• A professional history producing or directing programs for major science communication platform.
• Experience field producing natural history shoots.
• Fluency in another language in addition to English.