Creative Director at The Walt Disney Company

Bristol, Connecticut, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Media, Entertainment, BroadcastingIndustries

Requirements

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

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

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Art DirectionGraphic DesignAnimationBrand SystemsVisual JournalismPhotographyVideo EditingWeb DevelopmentInfographicsInteractive StorytellingBroadcast ProductionMarketing Campaigns

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

Is this a full-time position?

Yes, this is a full-time employment position.

What is the work arrangement or location for this role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What are the key responsibilities of the Creative Director?

The role involves providing strategic leadership, driving concept and creative execution across portfolios, directing art directors, partnering with vendors, presenting to stakeholders, mentoring creatives, and staying ahead of design trends.

What is the company culture like in the Visual Storytelling division?

The division fosters a culture of creativity, collaboration, and innovation, with a team of designers, art directors, animators, and others working together on visual storytelling across ESPN platforms.

What makes a strong candidate for the Creative Director role?

A strong candidate has deep subject-matter expertise in a major VS pillar like digital content or broadcast production, senior-level strategic leadership experience, hands-on creative skills, and the ability to mentor teams and align with business priorities.