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University Photographer

Colorado Christian University
Full-time
Remote
United States
Photography & Videography

Description

About the Job
 
The University Photographer captures the heart and mission of CCU through compelling visual storytelling. This role photographs people, events, and scenes that reflect CCU’s excellence, community, and Christ-centered culture, producing content for print, digital, social and other media. As a key member of the Communications and Creative Services team, the ideal candidate requires creativity, technical skill, and collaboration across departments to elevate CCU’s brand identity. 
 
Job Location
 
Hybrid Remote - must reside and work legally in the U.S. Regular work location: Lakewood, Colorado. Must be on-site for all shoots as required. Editing and digital asset management to be done remotely. 
 
About CCU                 
    
Colorado Christian University is the premier interdenominational Christian university in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, delivering world class education to thousands of students. The fully accredited, nonprofit University is located in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver.     
                
Colorado Christian University was founded in 1914.  CCU’s motto is--grace and truth. This motto comes from John 1.14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (ESV)        
              
CCU's mission is Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth.      
               
Colorado Christian University cultivates knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars, with an enduring commitment to the integration of exemplary academics, spiritual formation, and engagement with the world. We envision graduates who think critically and creatively, lead with high ethical and professional standards, embody the character and compassion of Jesus Christ, treasure the gospel, and who thereby are prepared to impact the world in their callings.      
               
CCU embraces an educational model that was present at the foundation of many of the great western and American universities. It is made up of three pillars—competence, character and Christ-centered faith. Secular universities have abandoned two of those pillars. We think this is a major oversight that eventually undermines education. Furthermore, we believe this classical educational model is both life-giving and greatly needed in our time.         
            
A leader in higher education, CCU has been consistently ranked in the top 2 percent of colleges and universities nationwide for its core curriculum by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. CCU has had ten consecutive years of enrollment growth and has been named one of the five fastest-growing master’s granting universities by The Chronicle of Higher Education.   
                 
CCU offers more than 200 degree program options for traditional and adult students through its two colleges--the College of Undergraduate Studies and College of Adult and Graduate Studies. More than 9,000 students attend the University on the main campus, in regional centers throughout Colorado, and online.        
What is most appealing about working at CCU? 
  1. Faith-friendly: CCU’s culture is unique to higher education. Where else can you pursue academic excellence yet read the Holy Bible, pray with teammates and students at work, and work to impact our culture in support of Christian values?
  2. Convictionally Christian: As a university, we have an enduring commitment to Christ, his kingdom and the truth of God’s Word.
  3. Live out your calling: We are a traditional evangelical university where you can invest your God-given talents and abilities alongside coworkers and teammates, while having a profound influence on students as they deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
  4. Equip students for kingdom work: You can be a part of helping students discover their callings and preparing them for positions of significant leadership in the church, business, government, education, and other professions, as a key part of our University's Strategic Priorities.
We are looking for candidates who have:
  1. A bachelor’s degree in photography, visual arts, journalism, communications, or a related field.
  2. A minimum of 5–7 years of professional experience in photography, preferably within the education realm or a similar creative environment.
  3. An excellent portfolio demonstrating a strong eye for composition, lighting, and storytelling across a variety of photographic subjects. 
  4. Proficiency with professional digital camera systems (DSLR or mirrorless), studio and natural lighting, and photo editing tools (Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom).
  5. Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage digital assets and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Experience with a digital asset management software preferred.
  6. Excellent interpersonal skills and a commitment to working collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and external partners.
  7. Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint. 
Key Job Duties
Photography & Creative Work
  1. Photograph university events, student life, campus scenes, academics, faculty, athletics, and more to support marketing and communications.
  2. Maintain high standards of technical quality, creative composition, and brand alignment across all imagery.
  3. Deliver edited images on deadline for use in print, web, video, and social media.
  4. Develop shot lists and creative briefs in collaboration with marketing and university stakeholders.
  5. Manage photo shoots independently and collaboratively, often including location scouting and coordination with multiple parties.
Digital Asset Management
  1. Catalog, archive, and maintain an organized library of university photo assets.
  2. Ensure metadata tagging and consistent file naming conventions for ease of access and retrieval.
Collaboration & Strategy
  1. Work closely with the CCS team, including designers, videographers, and writers, to ensure cohesive storytelling across all media.
  2. Support social media, admissions, alumni, development, and campus departments by providing high-quality visual content.
  3. Stay current on photography trends, equipment, and best practices.
  4. Recruit, hire, and train student employee photography assistants to help with after-hours shoots.
  5. Oversee third-party photography vendors as needed.
Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, you may be required to walk, stand, sit, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, speak with clarity, and have appropriate vision and hearing capabilities. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Colorado Christian University expects all faculty and staff to become a part of the University community by participating in activities and events that occur on the campus throughout the year, which may occur during evenings and weekends. Occasional travel within and beyond the Denver area may be required.  Must be able to carry camera equipment and work in various environmental conditions. 
What we offer our employees: 
We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages to all employees. Our benefit package includes: a tuition waiver program, excellent healthcare, generous paid time off, matching 403(b) retirement plan, and additional organizational paid benefits and voluntary benefit offerings. 
Colorado Christian University’s pay philosophy is based on internal and external data for pay equity; along with budgetary considerations for effective stewardship. Pay will be assigned based on relevant experience at a range of  56,500-65,000 annual salary. We reserve the right to pay an equitable rate that we believe is within our salary structure or that may fit a candidate’s qualifications or experience for the job. A wage range posted is not a guarantee of a specific wage range for a job offer. CCU reserves the right to make pay decisions based on economic and equity considerations to attract the best possible talent. CCU does not determine pay based on sex or any other protected status. 
Application Deadline    
Applications will be accepted until position is filled.    

Spiritual Requirements

  1. Committed follower of Jesus Christ, who believes there is no salvation apart from faith in his atonement on the cross, by grace alone becoming "born again" thus beginning a personal relationship with Christ, the Son of God.
  2. Able to effectively communicate personal faith and apply biblical principles and convictions in the workplace. Must have a strong sense of calling to the ministry of Colorado Christian University.
  3. Regularly attend and be engaged in meaningful involvement in a Bible-believing evangelical local church. Knowledgeable about the Word of God and passionate about Christian education.
  4. Must be a traditional evangelical Christian whose lifestyle is in consonance with sound Christian principles, is compatible with CCU’s Statement of Faith, and is in agreement with the Strategic Priorities promulgated by the University.
Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Colorado Christian University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status. CCU is committed to an environment free from discrimination and harassment and calls on every member of the university community to be vigilant in deterring and reporting all violations. CCU does reserve the right to exercise preference on the basis of religion in all of its employment practices. All employees who work at CCU must demonstrate a spiritual testimony consistent with our evangelical mission and follow our lifestyle expectations.

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