Senior Photo Editor at ESPN

Our Senior Photo Editor’s function will be in driving our live ESPN news coverage and journalism. Using editorial expertise, strong communication skills and analytical data, the editor will visually impact the breaking-news stories that mean the most to our fans and enterprise.

The role demands a discerning eye, an enterprising approach to content and the ability to work on the technical aspects of digital photography while delivering creative storytelling in high-pressure situations. The position can be remote or on-site, and includes shifts during nights and weekends.

Departmental Summary:

The Visual Storytelling division of ESPN Creative Studio is a team of concept artists, animators, visual journalists, photo editors, developers, and designers whose work reaches across all ESPN platforms. We concept, design, and direct on-air motion graphic brand identities for all of ESPN’s live events, studio shows, ESPN+ original content, and streaming. Our team is also responsible for editorial design and photography on the ESPN website, ESPN app, and we lead the creative identity for Andscape.

Responsibilities:

• Lead live news coverage efforts for ESPN.com and the ESPN app, in tandem with editorial and audience engagement teams.
• Supplement existing ESPN content and content strategy through use of both live sports photography and photo research.
• Exercise sound editorial judgment and situational awareness to meet tight deadlines, drawing on extensive past experience.
• Speak the language of story editors and sports fans, leveraging in-depth knowledge of current and trending major sports stories.
• Demonstrate a deep passion and understanding of major sports, their rules, teams, players, and history, appreciating the impact of sports storytelling on fans and aspiring athletes.
• Identify valuable breaking-news stories and enhance them visually.
• Lead a room when needed via clear and direct verbal and written communication skills.
• Independently problem-solve in real time.
• Understand and implement ESPN editorial standards and guidelines.
• Track and report story performance metrics.
• Manage several assignments at once, giving regular updates to inform the team.
• Meet multiple deadlines while maintaining high standards of accuracy and efficiency.
• Coordinate coverage for content preparation, preview and live event coverage.
• Direct and ensure consistent quality and style across all visual content produced by photo editors.
• Hold photo editors accountable to workflow and documentation standards.
• Assign and onboard freelance news and documentary photographers.
• Negotiate rights and rates, process and track invoices and payments. 
• Keep up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in sports photography, photo editing and news/storytelling.

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in journalism or a related field.
• Experience working in the live news cycle alongside editorial partners.
• Understanding of copyright laws and photo licensing standards.
• Fluent in Adobe Photoshop, Photo Mechanic and other standard photo editing tools.
• Proficient in general digital photography best practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Reliable work-from-home setup with reliable internet connection.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Expert-level knowledge of wire services, agencies and non-traditional image sources.
• Strong organizational skills to set effective workflows and routines.
• Well-versed in content management and project management systems.
• Intellectually curious about learning new photo software.
• Journalistic experience with writing, reporting and research.

Required Education:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent 

Preferred Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent 

Additional Information:

• Position will require night and weekend shifts.

#ESPNMedia

The hiring range for this remote position is $82,742 to $124,410 per year, which factors in various geographic regions. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.