Director Photography

Marks part of the Propelis Group Marks is a consumer experience agency creating engaging moments across the entire brand spectrumfrom brand design and packaging to content and consumer connections. We are a collaborative global network of 1900 team members across 25 studios and 20 countries partnering with some of the worlds most recognized brands to solve complex business challenges through design strategy and craft.

Position Summary

The Director of Photography is responsible for leading the studios photography function creating high level content themselves as well as overseeing daily operations and managing a high-performing team of creative professionals in the designated area. This role drives creative excellence by fostering team development encouraging innovation and delivering elevated trend-forward visual solutions tailored to client needs.

The Director of Photography collaborates cross-functionally with Design Account Management Retouching and Production teams to ensure all content meets the highest creative and technical standards. With strong leadership and communication skills this role builds trusted client relationships while continuously advancing the studios creative capabilities and operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead mentor and develop a team of photography professionals ensuring consistently high creative and technical standards.
• Lead on-set direction for photography and video shoots ensuring alignment with creative vision and client expectations.
• Oversee lighting composition styling collaboration and overall image execution during production.
• Lead by example as a hands-on creative delivering best-in-class photography for key projects while providing oversight and direction to ensure all studio output meets established creative standards.
• Establish and maintain best practices within the studio to optimize workflow efficiency and creative output.
• Oversee all photography projects within the region ensuring quality consistency and continuous improvement.
• Deliver exceptional visual content that meets and exceeds client expectations across all channels.
• Evaluate team capabilities and strategically allocate resources to maximize project success.
• Manage freelance talent including sourcing booking and maintaining a balance between quality and cost efficiency.
• Contribute to business growth by identifying new opportunities services and revenue streams within photography and content production.
• Track and report on studio performance including quality efficiency utilization and client satisfaction metrics.
• Partner with senior leadership on forecasting budgeting and long-term studio planning.
• Ensure projects are delivered within scope timeline and budget while maintaining creative excellence.
• Partner with Design and Account Management teams to develop innovative client-focused creative concepts.
• Define and uphold the overall photographic vision and visual standards for the studio and client brands.
• Ensure brand consistency across all visual outputs and channels.
• Participate in client meetings and briefings translating objectives into clear photographic direction and solutions.
• Collaborate with Traffic/Production teams to effectively manage scheduling and studio capacity.
• Lead pre-production meetings providing direction on photography styling and execution strategies.
• Engage with Creative Leadership and broader teams to stay aligned on ongoing and upcoming projects.
• Conduct research on industry trends sharing insights to enhance creative output and client value.
• Identify and implement new technologies tools and equipment to improve efficiency and production quality.
• Oversee team performance management including coaching training and career development.
• Lead hiring strategy and talent development planning for the photography team.
• Build a diverse and future-ready team aligned with evolving client and industry needs.
• Maintain strong expertise in both still photography and video production workflows.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of food photography across multiple formats including packaging digital social advertising and point-of-sale.
• Stay at the forefront of industry trends techniques and emerging technologies in photography and content creation.
• Champion innovation in visual storytelling formats (e.g. motion short-form content) and production methodologies.
• Perform additional duties as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Photography Fine Arts or a related field (Masters or MBA considered an asset).
• 10 years of progressive experience in a photography studio creative agency or related environment.
• 8 years of leadership experience managing creative teams.
• Advanced proficiency in Capture One and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong understanding of both still and motion production.
• Proven expertise in food photography across multiple platforms and formats.
• Exceptional project management skills with the ability to lead projects from concept to completion.
• Strong analytical problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets prioritize workloads and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated with a high level of attention to detail.
• Willingness to travel as required (locally nationally or internationally).

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a studio environment including standing walking and sitting for extended periods.
• Occasional lifting of equipment (up to 10 lbs).
• Visual acuity required for detailed creative work including color accuracy and focus.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to support individuals in performing essential job functions.

About Propelis: Propelis is a portfolio of global marketing services and technology companies with a combined legacy of 150 years 2000 clients 9000 employees and operations across 30 countries. Propelis provides the scale and support of a global organization while preserving the unique culture and identity of each company in its portfolio. For more information visit:

EEO Statement: We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications merit and business need. We offer equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin genetic information age disability or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local law.âEqual Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled.

We strive to make our employment website and application process accessible to all users and doing so we provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation or assistance completing the application process please contact a member of our Human Resource Team.

The Ontario pay range for this position is $140000 CAD to $150000 CAD annually. Ultimately in determining pay we will consider the successful candidates experience skills knowledge and other job-related factors.
We remain committed to ensuring equal opportunity in all aspects of employment including recruitment. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals particularly those who may contribute to the further diversification of our organization. If you require any form of accommodation during the recruitment process please do not hesitate to let us know. Together we strive to foster an environment where everyone can thrive and be their authentic selves.

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Required Experience:

Director