Senior Manager, Photo Production - Pottery Barn

Senior Manager, Photo Production - Pottery Barn Job Description

About the Pottery Barn Photography Team

You will be part of the Photography and Content teams at Pottery Barn, working in our brand headquarters in San Francisco, CA, our photo studios in Richmond, CA and on location for photography. Our team creates photography and video assets to build brand awareness and engagement, amplify brand storytelling, create compelling and innovative content, and build strategic partnerships for the Pottery Barn brand.

Overview of the Senior Manager, Photo Production role

The Senior Manager, Photo Production, will manage all photography requirements for the Pottery Barn brand and ensure that all photography is delivered on time, to budget and to brand production standards. Assets will be created for digital, print and social channels.

Responsibilities:

• Handle all photo bookings and seasonal castings and you will be the key point of contact for all freelance talent.
• Proactively source new creative talent across the freelance photography and styling skill sets, bringing portfolios for review with the creative leadership team and Creative Directors.
• Manage all talent contracts and annual renewal process for the department's freelance roster ensuring contracts are current and on file.
• Negotiate contracts and onboard new photographers and stylists as needed.
• Act as the key point person with cross functional partners on all things relating to seasonal photo production and planning.
• Work proactively prior to each seasonal photo shoot with merchant team, producers and Merchandise Coordinators to ensure all seasonal props and studios are edited and organized for creative teams.
• Lead communication to merchants and producers of photo milestones and timelines for project management, including weekly sample call with Photo teams and Merchants.
• Maintain seasonal photo schedule and timelines with input from VP/SVP Creative and Creative Directors/Art Directors.
• Manage sample eta process in partnership with merchants and producers to understand when products are available to shoot.
• Suggest and troubleshoot schedule changes based on sample eta, and any unexpected issues that might arise pre-season and throughout the seasonal photo shoot. Work with Creative Directors to ensure any changes are approved and communicated to teams to keep production flowing.
• Coordinate with Creative Directors and cross functional teams on Producer and Merchandise Coordinator studio support to ensure all teams are adequately staffed.
• Partner with Creative Directors/Art Directors to standardize and document processes and procedures on set for both Producers and Merch Coordinators. Bring more professional acumen to the roles of Producers and Merch Coordinators.
• For complex shoots and key collaborations, provide hands‑on support to the creative leadership team and Creative Director’s during the planning process as well as spending time on‑set/on‑location.
• Work with production coordinator in reviewing and approving all creative invoices each season.
• Manage production coordinator and align on all seasonal costs and budgetary projections.
• Partner with VP Creative and Creative Directors in booking locations and coordinating logistics for special collaboration projects and photo shoots.
• Proactively source new locations, being resourceful to find through location scouts, architects, realtors or neighborhood canvasing.

Manage database of Photo Locations inclusive of scouting photos, contact information, rates and production notes.

Requirements:

• Work well under pressure
• Highly detailed oriented
• Passionate about both photography and video
• Negotiation and budget management skills
  
  Ability to work quickly, efficiently, and proactively
• Self‑starter and independent worker that can multi‑task
• Work with and foster relationships with cross‑functional partners

Our Culture & Values

We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We prioritize connection, growth, and wellbeing.

People First

Putting People First means investing in overall well‑being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization.…