Film Manager

Do you want to use your skills in filmmaking to play a vital role in making clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone everywhere?

Join WaterAid as Film Team Manager to change normal for millions of people so they can unlock their potential, break free from poverty and change their lives for good. On top of that you'll be joining a 2020 Great Place to Work® award-winning organisation, which is also a Living Wage and Disability Confident employer. 

The WaterAid Creative Content team devises and produces communications assets for WaterAid UK and beyond. Incorporating Film, Photo and Voices from the Field (our in-country content collectors) functions, the team acts as an in-house creative and production unit by providing industry leading solutions to WaterAid's advocacy, engagement and fundraising goals. WaterAid is a sector leader in respectful and strategic content, where innovation and exceptional creativity play a crucial role in achieving our organisational vision of a world where everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. 

As our Film Manager you will lead the sector with innovative and engaging storytelling to bring WaterAid's work to life and drive impact with a range of audiences.

Permanent, full time, up to 4 weeks international travel per year

The role has overall accountability for managing Film Team processes and outputs, taking projects from concept through to delivery, ensuring that they deliver to organisational objectives. This demands a specialised combination of exceptional interpersonal skills, creativity, and proven technical ability. 

Strategic contribution

• Advise on the strategic use of film for maximum impact with a range of audiences, increasing understanding and commitment to WaterAid's work.

• Develop and produce creative and innovative targeted content in line with strategic objectives for use across WaterAid's communications channels.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of WaterAid's Ethical Image Policy.

Leadership and management

• Directly line manage at least 2 Film Producers 

• Manage in-house and external teams in the development of films for key strategic partnerships and organisational priorities

• Effectively manage freelance editors / animators / shooters to create films that engage and inspire people about our work, ensuring they are in line with WaterAid's ethical image policy and brand.

Responsibilities / delivery

• Oversee Film team production process and workflows, ensuring they are fit for purpose. 

• Initiate and produce original film projects to support WaterAid's Global Strategy and the Brand and Creative Content department strategy

• Advise on creating films for a wide range of audiences and generate ideas with stakeholders across the organisation.

• Produce compelling content, either shooting and editing independently or as part of a crew 

• Lead on and develop film training programmes for Voices from the Film staff and WaterAid colleagues more generally.

• Ensure all content-gathering takes place in accordance with WaterAid's Ethical Image Policy.

• Develop systems to share films and footage with the wide organisation and strategic partners. 

• Undertake any reasonable tasks as requested by the Creative Content Lead.

Interaction

• Work closely with the Creative Content Lead to develop content and platforms that advance organisational strategy.

• Work collaboratively with Brand and Creative Content, Digital, and Media teams ensure joint objectives are achieved.

• Collaborate with global teams on projects to develop campaigns and products by providing key film input.

• Take a leading role as WaterAid's ambassador during shoots and events, in the UK and internationally.

Complexity

• Manage the planning and running of international shoots, liaising with fixers, partner staff, translators, shooters, and contributors.

• Manage, prioritise and balance time and resources to meet competing content requests from across the organisation.

• Manage film production budgets and schedule to maximise WaterAid's ROI.

• Ensure all work supports the organisational strategy

To be successful, you'll need:

• Proven experience as a professional filmmaker

• Experience of leading high-impact film projects, from concept to delivery

• Experience line managing a team and/or a roster of freelancers

• Advanced technical expertise in film production including planning shoots, preparing contributors for interviews, audio recording, lighting in difficult conditions, a solid understanding of visual grammar and storytelling.

• Ability to generate and develop creative ideas, with a thorough understanding of production workflows

• A thorough understanding of video post-production workflows (Adobe Creative Suite)

• Ability to understand different audiences and appropriate channels/messaging.

• Experience of briefing shooters / editors / animators, in person and remotely.

• Experience of conducting interviews with a wide variety of people.

• Proven ability to trial and operationalise cutting-edge technology - including 360 video, AR, and live-streaming.

• Ability to manage a range of film projects / suppliers / budgets and juggle competing priorities.

• Experience of working effectively with a range of internal stakeholders at all levels.

• Ability to create channel-specific content for maximum impact - including for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

• Strong camera skills - Sony and Canon DSLRs.

• Willingness to work varied hours, including some weekend commitments and, if required, travel abroad

• Previous experience in the international development sector, particularly in water, sanitation and hygiene programmes.

• Commitment to WaterAid's values

Salary £38,604 to £40,052 dependent on experience with excellent benefits. WaterAid benefits include:

• 36 days' holiday (including Bank Holidays)
• Option to buy an extra 5 days annual leave
• We offer a generous pension plan with employer contribution of up to 10%
• Wide range of flexible and agile-working arrangement
• Season Ticket Loan
• Free annual eye tests
• Pay as You Give charitable giving scheme
• Enhanced Maternity and Adoption/Surrogacy pay, Shared Parental Leave and Paternity Leave
• Sabbaticals
• Volunteer Day

Additional Information:

WaterAid is currently located at Canary Wharf, London and this will be your location and contract base. We support and enjoy a hybrid working environment, this includes regular attendance in the London office to connect with each other. We look forward to discussing with you how you can best deliver in your new role at interview stage.

We are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. In order to apply for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the UK.

WaterAid is committed to ensuring that wherever we work in the world there is no tolerance for the abuse of power, privilege or trust. WaterAid reinforces a culture of zero tolerance towards any form of inappropriate behaviour, abuse, harassment, or exploitation of any kind. The safeguarding of our beneficiaries, staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf, is our top priority and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All staff and volunteers are required to share in this commitment through our Global Code of Conduct. We will conduct the most appropriate pre-employment references and checks to ensure high standards are maintained.

WaterAid is an equal opportunities, disability-confident employer and committed to achieving the highest standards of diversity, fairness and equality. Should you have a disability and require any additional support, please contact us at [email removed - click apply for more details].