Creative Director - Visual Storytelling

This is a Full Time Job

The Creative Director within the Visual Storytelling (VS) division of ESPN Creative Studio (ECS) is a senior level role that provides strategic leadership for the team, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and innovation. This is a management position with deep subject-matter expertise and is responsible for leading at least one major pillar in VS: digital content, design and brand systems, visual journalism, photography, broadcast production, ESPN+, marketing, etc.

Responsibilities:
• Drive the concept, development, and creative execution of ECS's wide portfolio of work across functions.
• Direct the work of art directors and individual contributors who manage the day-to-day operations of a VS pillar(s).
• Fill in resource gaps as needed throughout the lifecycle of a project with high-quality hands-on work.
• Conduct regular review sessions and drive continuous improvement, leveraging metrics, data, and research insights.
• Partner closely with agencies and external vendors to provide clear creative direction and feedback and vet both the quality and technical specs for all deliverables.
• Present and defend the creative to key stakeholders from ECS, Marketing, Production, Programming and Content.
• Work in sync with the VS Strategy and Integration team to prioritize resources and set timelines and schedules.
• Maintain and update documentation for team best practices to be nimble and accommodate shifting industry needs.
• Intersect with other Creative Directors in VS and play a critical role in long-range planning for the team.
• Oversee budget and deadlines for various team projects.
• Represent VS in executive settings and implement design strategies that align with ESPN's business priorities.
• Mentor and grow ''future-proof'' creatives – designers who can impact across multiple platforms and functions.
• Stay curious and knowledgeable about design trends, emerging technologies, and industry best practices to drive innovation and maintain ESPN's position as a leader in sports design.
• Serve as an ambassador at industry conferences and continually recruit and maintain a pipeline for emerging talent.

Qualifications:
• Minimum 10 years of media-related experience.
• Proven track record of wearing different leadership hats and guiding a large multi-layered and multi-disciplined team with confidence, fairness, and transparency.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and an ability to present creative concepts and solutions clearly and persuasively across different audiences and varying levels of the organization.
• Enthusiasm for new ways of thinking and challenging the status quo, not limited to fan-facing creative but also internal workflows and processes.
• Comprehensive understanding of graphic design and how it performs differently depending on the platform.
• Hands-on knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, After Effects, Cinema 4D and a curiosity to learn new technology and tools.
• Deep understanding of the wide range of platforms, products, and experiences where ESPN creative lives.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills; keen attention to detail; strong decision-making skills in a fast-paced environment.

Required Education
• High school diploma or equivalent

Preferred Education
• Bachelors degree

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