Design Director

AbelCine; New York (NY); On-site; USD 170,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision plans

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Life insurance

Commuter benefits

Professional development resources

Job summary

AbelCine is seeking a Design Director to lead creative work across video, digital campaigns, and brand communications for a major client. The role combines big-picture concepting with hands-on mentorship in art direction, motion design, and production across multiple media.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years of design leadership, a strong portfolio, and expert command of Adobe CC, Figma, and PowerPoint. On-site in Midtown Manhattan, with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Visual Communications, Film, Motion Design, Advertising, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 8+ years of experience in design, art direction, or multimedia creative roles
• Strong portfolio demonstrating excellence in video, motion graphics, digital design, social campaigns, and integrated creative work
• Expertise in concept development, storyboarding, production, post‑production, and cross‑platform content delivery
• Deep understanding of typography, composition, color theory, visual hierarchy, branding, and user engagement
• Experience translating complex business or technical concepts into compelling visual communications
• Demonstrated success leading creative teams and managing external agencies or vendors
• Excellent presentation, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Software proficiency: Adobe CC, Figma, PowerPoint
• Familiarity with video formats for social media, paid media, events, and executive communications
• Highly organized with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative vision and art direction for video, motion graphics, digital campaigns, executive communications, event media, and social content.
• Develop innovative concepts that align with objectives and elevate the client's visual identity.
• Translate complex business concepts into clear visual narratives.
• Ensure consistency across all creative deliverables while maintaining high design quality.
• Direct the creation of brand videos, social assets, executive presentations, campaigns, internal communications, and event content.
• Guide concept development, storyboarding, visual systems, animation, and production.
• Provide hands‑on creative support for presentations and high-profile projects when needed.
• Establish scalable design templates, motion standards, and best practices.
• Partner with Creative, Marketing, Production, Events, and Content teams.
• Present concepts and design rationale to senior leadership.
• Lead creative reviews, workshops, and project presentations.
• Coordinate with project managers to ensure on-time delivery and within scope.
• Mentor designers, editors, motion artists, freelancers, and external partners.
• Provide direction and feedback throughout the design process.
• Foster a collaborative studio culture and continuous improvement.

Skills

Art Direction

Motion Design

Brand Development

Storyboarding

Leadership

Presentation Skills

Stakeholder Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Design

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

Figma

PowerPoint

Job description

AbelCine is a leading provider of products, services, and solutions supporting the production, broadcast, and new media industries. Through our Production Services division, we provide highly skilled professionals to some of the world's most respected organizations, partnering with clients to deliver exceptional creative and operational support. We are seeking a Design Director to join our team as a full-time employed consultant supporting one of our key clients. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape creative work for a globally recognized organization, leading the development of visually compelling multimedia content across digital, video, events, executive communications, and brand campaigns.

Position Summary:

The Design Director will provide creative leadership across a wide range of multimedia initiatives, ensuring all work is visually sophisticated, strategically aligned, and consistent with the client's brand standards. This individual will collaborate closely with designers, producers, editors, motion designers, marketing teams, content strategists, and external agencies to develop engaging creative solutions that communicate complex business concepts through compelling visual storytelling.

The ideal candidate is an experienced creative leader with a strong background in art direction, motion design, video, and brand development. They are equally comfortable developing big-picture creative concepts and providing hands-on guidance throughout execution.

Creative Leadership & Art Direction

• Lead the creative vision and art direction for video, motion graphics, digital campaigns, executive communications, event media, and social content.
• Develop innovative creative concepts that align with business objectives and elevate the client's visual identity.
• Translate complex business and financial concepts into clear, engaging, and visually compelling narratives.
• Ensure consistency across all creative deliverables while maintaining the highest standards of design quality.

Multimedia Design & Production

• Direct the creation of brand videos, social media assets, executive presentations, campaigns, internal communications, and event content.
• Guide concept development, storyboarding, visual systems, animation, and final production.
• Provide hands‑on creative support for presentations, key visuals, and high-profile projects when needed.
• Establish scalable design templates, motion standards, and creative best practices.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Management

• Partner closely with Creative, Marketing, Production, Events, and Content teams to develop integrated creative solutions.
• Present creative concepts and design rationale to senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Lead creative reviews, workshops, and project presentations.
• Coordinate with project managers and creative operations to ensure projects remain on schedule and within scope.

Team Leadership

• Mentor designers, editors, motion artists, freelancers, and external creative partners.
• Provide thoughtful creative direction and constructive feedback throughout the design process.
• Foster a collaborative, creative studio culture focused on continuous improvement.
• Help develop workflows that improve efficiency, consistency, and quality.

Innovation

• Stay current with emerging trends in visual storytelling, motion design, digital media, AI‑powered creative tools, and social platforms.
• Recommend new techniques and technologies that strengthen the team's creative capabilities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Visual Communications, Film, Motion Design, Advertising, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 8+ years of experience in design, art direction, or multimedia creative roles
• Strong portfolio demonstrating excellence in video, motion graphics, digital design, social campaigns, and integrated creative work
• Expertise in concept development, storyboarding, production, post‑production, and cross‑platform content delivery
• Deep understanding of typography, composition, color theory, visual hierarchy, branding, and user engagement
• Experience translating complex business or technical concepts into compelling visual communications
• Demonstrated success leading creative teams and managing external agencies or vendors
• Excellent presentation, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects), Figma, and PowerPoint
• Familiarity with video formats for social media, paid media, events, and executive communications
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment

Engagement Details:

• Engagement: Full‑Time Employment
• Classification: Exempt
• Schedule: Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.
• Location: On‑Site - Midtown, New York, NY
• Compensation: $170,000 - $185,000+ Comprehensive Benefits Package

Perks & Benefits:

• Highly subsidized medical, dental, and vision plans (individual, dependent, and family coverage)
• Short‑term & long‑term disability benefits
• 401(k) with employer match (up to 2% of annual pay)
• Paid time off, including caregiving and personal leave options
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for healthcare & dependent care
• Supplemental health insurance coverage
• Commuter benefits & gym membership discounts
• Employee Assistance Program & life insurance
• Equipment borrowing program + discounts on gear purchases
• Access to professional development resources

At AbelCine, we believe in fostering a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative work environment. We are committed to equal‑opportunity hiring and value a team that brings a range of perspectives, skills, and experiences to our company.