Documentary Director

Strada Education Foundation • Costa Mesa, California • 1m ago

Are you passionate about storytelling and invested in strengthening democracy through civil discourse and representation? Join Roadtrip Nation as our next Documentary Director and lead a groundbreaking documentary that shines a light on the people and ideas shaping the future of democracy.

Who We Are

Roadtrip Nation is an award-winning media organization committed to creating impactful documentaries and resources that inspire and empower people to define their own roads in life. We believe in the power of stories to inspire, foster understanding, and promote change.

About This Project

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, Roadtrip Nation is creating a new documentary series for public television about how young people can be part of advancing democracy. To capture this story, we’ll be sending three young people out to travel around the country on our bright green RV and meet inspiring individuals across the political spectrum who have built careers working to strengthen our democratic systems. We’re focused on sharing stories of people who are passionate about bridging differences, championing civil discourse, and modeling bipartisan collaboration in the face of challenges. Our goal is to showcase a balanced and forward-looking perspective that inspires all viewers to participate in shaping our democratic future. This project is made possible by Ibis Group.

What You’ll Do

As the Documentary Director, you’ll shape the creative vision for this impactful project, bringing stories of civic engagement and advancing democracy to life. Your responsibilities include:

Collaborating with our production team on all project elements, including route planning, talent acquisition, scheduling, and storyboarding.
Directing and filming documentary content—both short and long-form—across multiple formats, from online videos to curriculum and promotional materials.
Overseeing production equipment to ensure the highest quality in every shoot.
Directing interviews and scenes that capture the essence of each story.
Traveling on the road with the team to conduct and facilitate these interviews and productions.
Organizing media and creating field notes to ensure a seamless post-production process with our editing team.

What Makes a Successful Candidate

Connection to the Project: A deep commitment to democracy, with a passion for showcasing the power of civil discourse.
Creative and Collaborative Mindset: Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, efficiently balancing creative direction with project requirements.
Technical Expertise: Proficiency with production equipment (cameras, audio, lighting, etc.) and media workflows.
Strong Communication and Leadership Skills: Ability to lead a team, collaborate well, and bring out the best in both crew and subjects.
Ethical Storytelling Approach: An understanding of and sensitivity toward telling stories involving diverse perspectives and experiences.
Experience: 5+ years in Directing (preferably in documentary or video production) with a background in broadcasting, cinematography, or related fields. Experience managing crew or teams is a plus.
Portfolio: Previous film or video samples are highly encouraged.

Other Important Information

Travel Requirements: Must hold an active driver’s license, pass a DMV background check, and be willing to take RV driver’s training.
COVID-19 Safety Protocols: Roadtrip Nation prioritizes the health and safety of our team and follows strict COVID-19 guidelines to ensure a safe production environment.

Many routes, one journey

Roadtrip Nation is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity employer. Our mission is to empower people to define their own roads in life. We are always looking to grow the diversity of our internal teams, in order to create richness and depth in our story-telling and fully represent the populations in which we serve. Every story and background adds richness to our culture, and we continually strive to mirror that diversity of stories on our own team. When we hire, we envision a workforce representing as many backgrounds, identities, and roads as possible. We can’t wait to hear more about your story.

Note: Research suggests that individuals identifying as Black, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, Indigenous, members of the LGBTQIA community, women, and people living with disabilities may self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive at Roadtrip Nation to apply for this role.

How do I apply? Please submit your cover letter and resume at https://www.roadtripnation.com/join-our-team

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