Senior Filmmaker

Willow Creek; Barrington (IL); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Life insurance

Retirement savings with company match

Maternity and paternity leave

Generous paid time off

Mental health counseling reimbursement

Job summary

Willow Creek in Barrington, IL, is seeking a Senior Filmmaker to lead the full video production process from concept to final delivery for services, campaigns, and digital platforms. You will direct on-set crews, oversee post-production including color grading and sound, and ensure high-quality storytelling that aligns with our mission.

The role requires strong collaboration across teams, experience with Adobe Creative Suite, and familiarity with AI-driven workflows.

Qualifications

• Experience creating testimony/documentary videos, promotional content, interviews, and event recaps.
• Strong cinematic storytelling and directing skills across documentary and scripted productions.
• High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, especially Premiere Pro and After Effects; Proficiency in Photoshop and Illustrator is a plus.
• Strong understanding of all stages of production, including pre-production, filming, editing, lighting, and audio.
• Experience with Sony cinema cameras (FX6, FX3) or similar cinema camera systems.
• Ability to lead creative projects from concept through final delivery while managing multiple deadlines.
• Strong collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience directing interviews and working with non-professional on-camera talent.
• Familiarity with AI-driven video production workflows and generative tools.
• Passion for creating stories that connect with both church audiences and people exploring faith.

Responsibilities

• Creative ideation & leadership, pre-production, and video shoots (researching video examples, mood boards, shotlists, equipment/locations, talent/crew scheduling, camera operation, lighting, audio, set setup/strike).
• Video editing/post-production
• Creative meetings & skill development
• Managing all studio space & equipment

Skills

Cinematic storytelling

Video direction

On-set leadership

Interview direction

Team collaboration

Lighting & audio

Storyboarding

AI-driven workflows familiarity

Creative ideation

Project management

Tools

Premiere Pro

After Effects

Photoshop

Illustrator

Sony cinema cameras FX6/FX3

Job description

Description

The Senior Filmmaker helps bring stories to life through video, creating content that inspires people to take next steps in loving God, loving people, and changing the world.

Working closely with the Programming Director, Central Arts & Worship team, and other key partners, this role leads the creation of high-quality video content for services, campaigns, and digital platforms.

From concepting and directing to shooting and editing, the Senior Filmmaker owns the creative process from start to finish. This role leads crews on set and handles the heavy lifting in post-production—including editing, color grading, sound mixing, music selection, motion graphics direction, and final delivery, to create compelling, engaging stories that connect with people.

What You’ll Do:

• Creative ideation & leadership, pre-production, and video shoots (which includes researching video examples, creating mood boards/treatments/storyboards, shotlists, assembling and reserving filming equipment and locations, coordinating and scheduling with talent and crew, operating cameras, lighting scenes, capturing audio, and setting up and striking sets).
• Video editing/post-production
• Creative meetings & skill development
• Managing all studio space & equipment

Work Schedule & Location

This role follows a Monday to Friday hybrid work schedule. The schedule may vary based on filming needs, production schedules, and team collaboration, and may include occasional Sundays, Weekends, or Holidays as needed based on ministry driven needs.

Success is defined as...

Success in this role is defined by the creation of compelling, mission-driven films that help people engage more deeply with the message of Jesus, elevate the quality of Willow Creek’s storytelling, and effectively support weekend services and ministry initiatives. A successful Senior Filmmaker consistently delivers high-quality content, collaborates well across teams, leads productions with excellence, and helps bring creative vision to life from concept through final delivery.

Requirements

• Experience creating testimony/documentary videos, promotional content, interviews, and event recaps
• Strong cinematic storytelling and directing skills across documentary and scripted productions
• High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, especially Premiere Pro and After Effects; Proficiency in Photoshop and Illustrator is a plus
• Strong understanding of all stages of production, including pre-production, filming, editing, lighting, and audio
• Experience with Sony cinema cameras (FX6, FX3) or similar cinema camera systems
• Ability to lead creative projects from concept through final delivery while managing multiple deadlines
• Strong collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Experience directing interviews and working with non-professional on-camera talent
• Familiarity with AI-driven video production workflows and generative tools
• Passion for creating stories that connect with both church audiences and people exploring faith

What We Offer

The salary range for this position is $75,000 - $85,000, depending on experience and education.

We also offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement savings with company match
• Maternity and paternity leave
• Generous paid time offMental health counseling reimbursement
• And more