Aquinas 101 Producer

Location: Washington, D.C.

Job Description and Responsibilities

The Aquinas 101 Producer works in person in our offices at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C.

The Aquinas 101 Producer holds a vital role, working closely with the Thomistic Institute team to coordinate and produce the Aquinas 101 video series. The Producer oversees and manages the long term production timeline for the entire Aquinas 101 series, and has direct responsibility for and day-to-day oversight of the pre-production and production phases of each Aquinas 101 video, and manages the external firm(s) used for post-production, as detailed below.

  • Project management of the series as a whole: The Producer works with the Director of the Thomistic Institute and the expert speakers to develop future video topics and script ideas, and to plan the future shape of the project as a whole. The Producer manages the production and distribution schedule and tracks spending, working with the TI’s Business Manager.

  • Pre-production: The Producer schedules filming dates and coordinates travel, lodging, and logistics for speakers and freelance contractors for each video shoot. 

  • Creative Contribution to Video Content: The Producer reviews each script as prepared by the expert speaker.  In collaboration with the speaker, other TI team members (including the Director and other Dominican priests), and the external animation firm, the Producer then generates a written storyboard for each video, describing in detail the shots to be used and the animation needed for the video.  This calls for a significant creative contribution from the Producer and has a major impact on the look, feel, and final content of each video.

  • Production: On shooting days, the Producer ensures that the studio is set up and ready, coordinates logistics with the speaker, TI staff, and the external crew, and acts as on-set Director for each video.  After each shoot, the Producer oversees the organization and file storage of all footage and recording, and ensures that the files are transmitted to the Post-Production firm in a timely manner. 

  • Post-Production: The Producer reviews each revision of the graphic storyboard from the animation team, as well as each edited video as it arrives from the external post-production video editing and animating firm.  The Producer ensures that the final video corresponds to the artistic vision articulated in the storyboard, and takes final delivery of the finished video, uploading it to our YouTube channel and then handing the video off to the Social Media Manager for promotion. The Producer crafts weekly emails sent to subscribers.

  • Learning Platform: The Producer manages content for the Aquinas 101 learning platform, including planning new courses, uploading videos, writing metadata, organizing supplemental resources, creating thumbnails, and producing exclusive content as needed. 

  • Analytics: The Producer monitors YouTube, learning platform, and email analytics to monitor the success of different content and/or campaigns, working with other members of the TI’s communications team.

  • Other Duties: As a part of a flexible and fast-paced TI team, the Producer will occasionally be called upon to help with other TI events and projects, including annual conferences and lectures.  As a part of these additional duties, the Producer will work with TI students and speakers, will lead small gatherings, and will guide others in Catholic prayers and liturgies.

Consequently, the Thomistic Institute is seeking an individual with proven experience in professional video production.  The candidate need not have extensive technical qualifications (e.g., photography, video editing, animation) but should have sufficient working knowledge and experience in these areas so as to supervise and direct freelancers and external contractors in their activities.

The best candidate will be trustworthy; is ready to take initiative and to work independently; has good judgment; is self-motivated, hard-working, and able to work without constant supervision; has strong organizational abilities and exhibits careful attention to detail. The candidate should be strongly motivated by the Thomistic Institute’s mission to bring the truth of the Catholic intellectual tradition to secular university campuses and the wider public square, and to deepen engagement in the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas in the contemporary academy. 

 As part of the position, the Producer will be entitled to take one course (for-credit, free of charge) per semester at the Dominican House of Studies (e.g., M.A. level classes in philosophy or theology), during office hours. 

 All members of the TI team are encouraged to participate in the regular liturgical life of the Dominican friars (e.g., step away from work for Mass, the daily midday rosary, the divine office, etc.).

Desired Qualifications:

At least a B.A. degree or its equivalent;

  • 2-4 years of professional experience in video production or publishing;

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills;

  • Excellent organizational skills and time management;

  • A proven track record of creative work, in video production, writing, or other related fields;

  • Knowledge of the Catholic intellectual tradition and motivation to spread the faith by intellectual evangelization;

  • Familiarity with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, Excel, Google Slides, Frame.io, and content management systems is a plus.

The Thomistic Institute is a research institute of the Pontifical Faculty of the Dominican House of Studies and an apostolate of the Dominican friars of the Province of St. Joseph. The person holding this position will represent the Director and the Dominican friars in public, will bear witness to and teach the Catholic faith, and will at times participate in (and even lead others in) Catholic prayers. Applicants must be practicing Catholics in good standing who assent to and profess the Catholic faith in its entirety as presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Benefits: Medical benefits and a retirement plan.

Two weeks of paid vacation; in addition, TI employees receive paid leave for most public holidays and Catholic Solemnities (e.g., the Triduum, St. Joseph’s Day, Immaculate Conception), plus from Dec. 21-Jan. 2 for the Christmas/New Year’s holiday.

Questions? Contact Mr. Christopher Tanega at ctanega@dhs.edu or (202) 495-3871.

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and salary history, along with the names and contact information of two references.