Creative Director

The Visual Storytelling division of ESPN Creative Studio is a team of designers, art directors, animators, concept artists, visual journalists, photo/video editors, web developers and strategy producers whose work reaches every corner of ESPN: We lead the creative development and execution of on-air graphic packages for ESPN’s live events and studio shows. We are responsible for content on ESPN.com and the ESPN app, including photography, illustration, infographics, interactive storytelling, and scalable design systems. We create original streaming artwork and other creative across our digital products, including Disney+. We produce holistic marketing campaigns, as well as fan activations and consumer products. We also manage ESPN's brand identity, ensuring that our visual language is strong and connected across platforms, screens, and experiences.

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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