Director of Photography, Video Creative - Contract

Job Summary: 

Ruggable is seeking a versatile Director / Director of Photography with deep expertise in social-first and performance video to ideate, synthesize, and execute impactful video creative from concept through final delivery.

This role bridges marketing strategy and visual execution, translating product positioning and campaign objectives into thumb-stopping, platform-native video designed for paid media performance.

The ideal candidate understands how to craft high-performing social ads and short-form content, combining strong storytelling, technical cinematography, and a deep understanding of what drives engagement and conversion across platforms such as Meta, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and emerging channels.

What You’ll Do: 

• Ideate and translate complex marketing strategies and product positioning into high-impact, performance-driven social video concepts
• Develop platform-native creative ideas optimized for paid channels, including strong hooks, pacing, messaging clarity, and conversion-oriented storytelling
• Collaborate with marketing, creative, and production teams during brainstorms to develop concepts that fit budget, timeline, and paid media requirements
• Create detailed storyboards, shot lists, and creative frameworks designed to produce multiple ad variants and asset outputs from a single shoot
• Act as Director and Director of Photography on shoots, capturing footage optimized for multiple formats and placements (vertical, square, short-form)
• Direct talent and on-camera performances to create authentic, engaging social content that feels native to each platform
• Partner with editors to shape footage into high-performing paid media assets, providing clear creative direction and feedback through Frame.io
• Work collaboratively with project managers and production teams to ensure efficient production planning and delivery
• Implement feedback quickly and effectively in a fast-paced, iterative creative environment
• Work cross-functionally with the Creative Director, Head of Copy, Art Director, Video Production Director, Producers, in-house production team, Video Editors, and Project Managers

What You’ll Need to Have:

Required: 

• 7+ years of experience directing and filming commercial or branded video content
• Strong experience shooting and directing social-first and paid media video creative
• Proven ability to create thumb-stopping content optimized for performance marketing channels
• Deep understanding of platform-specific creative best practices for TikTok, Instagram, Meta, and YouTube
• Expertise in visual storytelling, composition, and lighting, combined with a practical understanding of efficient shoot workflows
• Experience designing shoots that produce multiple ad variations and scalable creative output
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and collaboration skills in fast-paced creative and production environments
• Ability to respond quickly to feedback and iterate on creative concepts

Preferred: 

• Experience working in a high-growth e-commerce or DTC brand environment
• Experience directing performance marketing video campaigns and working closely with paid media teams
• Understanding of creative testing frameworks and iterative ad development
• Familiarity with tools such as Airtable, Frame.io, Premiere Pro, StudioBinder, Google Sheets, and Figma
• Basic understanding of ad messaging, copy structure, and hooks for conversion-focused creative

Contract Details:

• $75-$90/hr 1099
• 4 month contract 
• Los Angeles, Hybrid