Creative Director, Stage 31 AFX

confidential; United States; On-site; USD 158,000 - 293,000; Full time

Job summary

Skydance is seeking a Creative Director for Stage 31 AFX, Warner Bros. Discovery's AI-centered VFX facility. You will set creative and technical direction for every package, approve frames, and uphold the facility's provenance and human-in-the-loop governance.

You will lead client-facing creative work with directors and showrunners, supervise on-set activity, and mentor AI workflow teams, ensuring high-quality, on-brand visuals across feature and premium episodic projects.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in visual effects with supervisor credits on studio features or premium episodic.
• Deep compositing or CG background with strong on-set experience.
• Hands-on familiarity with current AI/ML tooling in production contexts and clear judgment about its limits.
• History of direct, successful relationships with directors and studio creative executives.
• Comfort operating under a provenance and human-in-the-loop governance framework.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to mentor senior artists.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary creative liaison to directors, showrunners, and production-side VFX supervisors from prep through final delivery.
• Internally approve all work before client presentation; own the dailies and review cadence with the Head of Finaling.
• Supervise on set for facility-carried sequences, protecting plates and data capture for AI-assisted workflows.
• Partner with the Lead Pipeline Architect on tools; mentor AI Workflow Supervisors and senior generalists on standards.

Skills

Leadership & mentoring

Client liaison

Communication skills

AI/ML tooling familiarity

On-set supervision

Job description

Storytelling is, and will always be, the heart of what we do at Skydance.

Our vision is to build a thriving entertainment ecosystem where stories and worlds are imagined, brought to life and experienced. We create for every age and audience, anchored by the strength of our content and experiences and the depth of our connection with fans. We are creator-first, audience-focused, tech-forward, globally scaled.

Here, you’ll work with talented teams that move fast, think boldly and collaborate with purpose to deliver results. We aim high, champion the best ideas and win together, earning the trust of our employees, creators, partners and audiences every day.

If you’re energized by the opportunity to help build the next-generation global media and entertainment company powered by creativity and technology, we’d be thrilled to welcome you aboard. LET’S GO!

Your New Role...

The Creative Director is the creative authority of Stage 31 AFX, Warner Bros. Discovery's internal AI-centered VFX facility, reporting to the Facility Managing Director. The Creative Director faces directors, showrunners, and studio-side VFX supervisors, sets the creative and technical approach for every package the facility takes on, and internally approves every frame before it is presented to a client. This role carries the facility's reputation, it is what makes an AI-centered shop credible as WBD's internal equivalent of a premier VFX house. All work operates under the facility's provenance and human-in-the-loop governance framework.

Your Role Accountabilities...

Creative Leadership and Client Facing

Serve as the primary creative liaison to directors, showrunners, and production-side VFX supervisors from prep through final delivery

Review and Approval

Internally approve all work before client presentation; own the dailies and review cadence with the Head of Finaling

On-Set Supervision

Supervise on set for facility-carried sequences, protecting plates and data capture for AI-assisted workflows

Pipeline and Standards

Partner with the Lead Pipeline Architect on which tools are creatively acceptable for final pixels Mentor AI Workflow Supervisors and senior generalists on creative standards

Qualifications & Experiences...

• 12+ years in visual effects with supervisor credits on studio features or premium episodic
• Deep compositing or CG background with strong on-set experience
• Hands-on familiarity with current AI/ML tooling in production contexts and clear judgment about its limits
• History of direct, successful relationships with directors and studio creative executives
• Comfort operating under a provenance and human-in-the-loop governance framework
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to mentor senior artists

Not Required but preferred experience:

• Experience standing up a new facility, department, or creative team
• Working knowledge of guild agreements and current AI provisions across IATSE, the Animation Guild, and SAG-AFTRA
• Experience supervising across both feature and premium episodic slates

About Skydance

Skydance is a next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. Skydance's portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount, Warner Bros., HBO and HBO Max, Paramount+, Pluto TV, CBS, CNN, CBS Sports, TNT Sports, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, MTV, Food Network, BET, HGTV, and Comedy Central.

Some Important Details

We embrace the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences.

Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit. In line with the laws of the country or region in which the role is based, this includes consideration without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, religion or belief, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, physical or mental disability, genetic information, military or protected veteran status, union status or any other category protected by applicable law.

If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.

Hiring Salary Range: $157,500.00 - $292,500.00 per year

In compliance with local law, we are disclosing compensation, or a range thereof, for roles where legally required. Actual salaries will vary based on a variety of job‑related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, external market data, internal equity, skill set, experience, training, education, and/or performance. Base pay is just one component of our total compensation package. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short‑and long‑term incentives, and program‑specific awards. In addition, Warner Bros. Discovery provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and sick time and vacation.

If you’re a qualified candidate with an arrest or conviction record, please know that your application will be considered in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.