Art Director

About the Role

ESPN Creative Studio’s Visual Storytelling division is a team of creative directors, art directors, animators, concept artists, visual journalists, photo editors, web developers, graphic designers, and strategy producers. The team leads creative direction and execution of on-air brand identities for ESPN’s live events and studio shows, creates content for ESPN.com and the ESPN app (including photography, illustration, and interactive storytelling), produces key art for ESPN+, manages product art across digital products, and shapes the design voice of the ESPN brand through marketing campaigns and cross-platform creative systems.

We are seeking an Art Director to join this award-winning team, driving idea development and hands-on creative execution for high-priority, multi-discipline projects across ESPN’s platforms.

Responsibilities

• Create industry-leading work that inspires and brings big ideas to life.
• Oversee and create multi-discipline design projects across platforms and products, with an emphasis on live broadcast initiatives.
• Direct strategic design systems engineered for long-term success.
• Lead advanced design and animation builds, staying current with industry tools and technology.
• Prepare and present creative briefs to internal and external stakeholders.
• Evolve the build and infrastructure of multiplatform design campaigns.
• Push for creative excellence and innovation while balancing business priorities.
• Partner with stakeholder groups across ESPN to ensure collaborative success.
• Adhere to established team workflows and processes.
• Build, lead, and inspire a talented team of designers.
• Hold regular 1:1s with team members to foster growth and communication.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in a creative studio or media organization.
• In-depth knowledge of motion graphics, animation principles/techniques, and render engines.
• Experience in responsive digital design deliverables.
• Experience leading brand identities and design systems.
• Understanding of deliverable behaviors for digital and broadcast.
• Complete understanding of typography, composition, hierarchy, and design.
• Comfort and experience leading teams and presenting to senior leadership.
• Fluent with Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and Cinema 4D.
• Proven project management skills with ability to prioritize and meet multiple deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Reliable work-from-home setup with strong internet connection.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing individuals or small teams.
• Knowledge of the sports design space, trends, and ESPN’s competitive positioning.
• Familiarity with ESPN distribution points, including MVPDs and SVODs.
• Knowledge of project management tools such as Asana and Smartsheet.

Qualifications

High School Diploma or equivalent required.

Pay

The hiring range for this position in New York, NY is $132,800 to $178,000 per year based on a 40-hour work week. Hours may vary based on business needs. The base pay offered will consider internal equity and may vary depending on geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.