Associate Art Director, Digital Video / Social Content

Job Description

Working on ESPN's off-platform content team unlike anything else. Each day you'll be challenged to blend creativity, sports knowledge, journalistic instincts, and design skills to produce industry-leading content seen by millions of sports fans. Collaboration, innovation, effort, and fun are at the core of this team and every day is game day.

An Associate Art Director, Digital Video and Social Content is responsible for the creative elements of ESPN digital shows and off-platform executions. This is a management position responsible for defining and executing a smart, innovative look for mobile-first content that spans a variety of accounts and platforms in any given week. An Associate Art Director will closely coordinate with creative services, production operations, social production, and technology teams to ensure that creative elements are executed collaboratively, timely, efficiently, and with audience consumption and engagement insights in mind.

Responsibilities:
• Define type usage, hierarchy, color palette, illustration style, and infographics for Tier 2 and Tier 1 digital shows and off-platform initiatives.
• Utilize Adobe After Effects to create custom daily animations for a diverse slate of digital shows and platforms.
• Manage day-to-day responsibilities of the department and coordinate with creative services, digital design, and digital/social production teams to ensure that deadlines are met and on target.
• Work in a fast-paced environment that requires quick-turning numerous pieces of content in a day.
• Demonstrate an ability to balance multiple projects and the flexibility to pivot from a plan.
• Communicate across divisions to update project timelines and report on progress.
• Conceptualize new digital show packages.
• Train digital video and social production staff on new digital show deliveries.
• Work closely with ESPN Digital Design and ESPN Creative Services Department to maintain cohesive design looks and language.
• Create Toolkits for editors using After Effects + Adobe ExtendScript language.

Basic Qualifications:
• 8+ years' experience creating templates and graphics for mobile and/or social media
• 2+ years' experience managing other creatives
• Online portfolio/demo reel showcasing your creativity, design and type layout skills
• Strong hands-on knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe AfterEffects
• Exceptional animation and design skills
• Demonstrated experience as a manager of other creatives
• Advanced communication and organization skills
• Ability to work under high pressure and tight deadlines

Preferred Qualifications:
• Strong understanding of and curiosity for social media and other emerging platforms
• Basic knowledge of the sports landscape, including current athletes, rules, and events
• Familiar with C4D
• Experience with decision-making based on audience analytics and consumption patterns
• Review and elevate work of direct reports. Push for visual excellence with clear direction, feedback, and mentorship.

Required Education
• Bachelor's Degree in graphic design or related field OR a high school diploma and a suitable
• combination of related training and experience.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gpk64d-3-133-147-169-42 in your application.