Sr Documentary Film Producer (Memphis, TN)

The Sr Documentary Film Producer is a visionary visual storyteller who crafts, molds, and creates the St. Jude story through expert-level cinematography and editorial story construction. This role is a creative and innovative documentary-style filmmaker who proactively identifies story opportunities—then produces cinematic visuals and edits that educate, impact, and inspire audiences to action across ALSAC/St. Jude owned channels, including YouTube and other platforms.

This role exists to create cinematic, story‑driven content designed to make audiences feel something—to build emotional connection, deepen affinity, and strengthen love for the St. Jude mission over time. It is not a role centered on routine coverage. While events and interviews may be part of the work, the primary responsibility is the constant pursuit of meaningful stories and the transformation of real moments into powerful, authored narratives.

The ideal candidate for this position approaches filmmaking as both a producer and an artist—shaping stories with intention, capturing imagery with emotional intelligence, and constructing narratives that resonate long after viewing. Their work prioritizes authenticity, beauty, and emotional impact, often living on owned channels such as YouTube where stories may unfold over time through serialized or episodic formats. Strong producer instincts ensure that each project is executed efficiently and collaboratively, while the highest standards of cinematographic and editorial craft are maintained at every stage.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Advance ALSAC’s strategic priorities through emotionally driven visual storytelling by proactively identifying and developing stories that build deep human connection, strengthen brand affinity, and inspire audiences to engage with and support the St. Jude mission. In close partnership with key internal stakeholders, align storytelling to business objectives while leading assigned projects from concept through completion with clear narrative intent and creative vision.

2. Serve as a visual storytelling authority and creative collaborator within cross‑functional teams representing multiple creative disciplines. Champion a story‑first approach that elevates emotional impact and audience relevance across owned, earned, and shared channels. Lead sensitive, thoughtful on‑camera interviews with patients, families, staff, partners, volunteers, and supporters, and contribute to script development or narrative framing as needed to ensure authenticity and clarity.

3. Approach each project as both a producer and an artist, independently evaluating story potential, clarifying narrative goals, anticipating production needs, and translating strategy into a cohesive visual language. Define stylistic choices—pacing, composition, lighting, camera movement, sound, and tone—that deepen emotional resonance and reinforce the story’s meaning.

4. Continuously seek and recognize story opportunities in real time, identifying compelling characters, emotional moments, visual metaphors, and unscripted interactions that can evolve into impactful short‑form, long‑form, or serialized storytelling. Shape stories designed for owned channels such as YouTube, including episodic arcs, follow‑the‑journey narratives, and relationship‑building content intended to grow long‑term audience connection.

5. Lead cinematic image capture for documentary‑style storytelling, executing with intentionality and authorship rather than documentation, including: • Interview cinematography designed to reflect emotional context through environment, blocking, lighting, and composition. • Observational and verité shooting that preserves authenticity while maintaining visual continuity and narrative cohesion. • Purposeful capture of b‑roll and atmospheric elements that contribute meaningfully to story structure and emotional texture. • Deliberate camera movement and lensing choices that reinforce tone, perspective, and narrative emphasis.

6. Own pre‑production for assigned stories with a producer’s mindset, including location scouting, visual research and references, shot planning, equipment strategy, scheduling, release and clearance coordination, and contingency planning. Ensure each production is creatively prepared, logistically sound, and positioned to capture meaningful moments as they unfold.

7. Shape stories in the edit suite with a strong editorial point of view, crafting narrative structure, rhythm, and emotional arc from raw footage through final delivery. Build compelling assemblies, refine work through feedback and iteration, and deliver finished content that reflects cinematic quality and storytelling excellence. Responsibilities may include full edit ownership or close collaboration with editing partners, depending on project scope. Exercise strong editorial judgment and creative discernment to help prioritize story ideas and content requests, advocating for work that best serves audience connection and long‑term brand impact. Remain open, responsive, and collaborative in incorporating feedback from leadership and stakeholders while protecting creative integrity and story intent.

8. Apply approved St. Jude messaging and brand guidelines with sensitivity and care, ensuring stories are told with accuracy, respect, and emotional intelligence while maintaining alignment with creative direction and brand standards. Ensure all content meets legal, ethical, and compliance requirements, including copyright, trademark, HIPAA regulations, and Better Business Bureau best practices, while preserving the dignity of participants and the trust of audiences. Represent ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with professionalism and integrity, both internally and externally, reflecting positively on the organization, its mission, and its commitment to ethical, human‑centered storytelling.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree of Fine Arts or Science with specialty in Cinematography and 10+ years of professional, documentary-style visual storytelling experience with expert-level skill in the ability to conceptualize ideas, conduct on-camera interviews, produce, and edit.

• Expert knowledge of cinematography craft: lighting, composition, camera movement, lensing, exposure, color, and visual continuity; ability to produce “beautiful, moving images” that serve narrative.

• Strong producing capability: pre-production planning, on-location decision-making, stakeholder coordination, and efficient execution under real-world constraints.

• High proficiency in non-linear editing and the ability to craft stories in post-production (structure, pacing, music/score sensibility, sound design collaboration, and narrative clarity).

• Working knowledge of professional NLE environments (Avid Media Composer strongly preferred but not required).

• The intangible ability to connect with people on a human level that allows them to share their story in an authentic way.

• Thorough knowledge of English spelling and grammar; ability to speak and write clearly for internal and external relations; ability to understand complex instructions. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.

• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive an automobile; ability to travel and work nights/weekends as production needs require.

• Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and After Effects preferred but not required.

• Core Medical Coverage: (low cost low deductible Medical, Dental, and Vison Insurance plans)​
• 401K Retirement Plan with 7% Employer Contribution
• Exceptional Paid Time Off
• Maternity / Paternity Leave
• Infertility Treatment Program
• Adoption Assistance
• Education Assistance
• Enterprise Learning and Development
• And more

ALSAC is an equal employment opportunity employer. 

ALSAC does not discriminate against any individual with regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or other protected status.

No Search Firms:

ALSAC does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities.  All resumes submitted by search firms to any ALSAC employee or ALSAC representative via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without being contacted and approved by our Employee Experience team and without a valid written search agreement in place will result in no fee being paid if a referred candidate is hired by ALSAC.