Executive Director, Motion Design

About this role

WHY DEPT®?

We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA.

We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter.

At DEPT®, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build.

THE ROLE:

We are looking for an Executive Director, Motion Design, to lead and grow our Motion practice at the highest level. This is a senior leadership role for a visionary creative executive who combines exceptional motion craft with the strategic and operational ability to build, scale, and sustain a world-class discipline.

As the executive leader, you will own the creative direction, team development, business performance, and client relationships that define the practice. You are equally at home presenting a motion vision to a C-suite client as you are reviewing a frame-by-frame animation with your team.

You have built a career at the intersection of motion craft and creative leadership — owning P&L, growing teams, and operating at an executive level without losing your instincts as a maker. You understand that motion is a business-critical creative discipline, and you have the track record to prove it.

This is not a purely managerial role. While your primary responsibility is leading and growing the Motion Design discipline, you remain closely connected to the craft. You bring a strong creative point of view to the work, provide hands-on guidance during critical moments, and are willing to jump into projects when needed to help teams solve problems, elevate quality, or unlock new creative opportunities.

Your credibility as a practitioner is what makes you effective as a leader. You understand the realities of the work because you have done it yourself, and you use that experience to inspire teams, challenge thinking, and raise the creative bar across the organization.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

Practice & Discipline Leadership

• Define and own the strategic direction, creative standards, and long-term vision for Motion Design across DEPT®.

• Build and scale the Motion Design practice — including org structure, hiring roadmap, capability development, and tooling strategy.

• Establish motion systems, creative frameworks, and quality benchmarks that elevate execution across all accounts and channels.

• Champion innovation, AI-assisted workflows, and emerging motion technologies that expand what is creatively and operationally possible.

Client & Business Ownership

• Own P&L for the Motion Design practice, including resourcing, utilization, margin performance, and growth targets.

• Serve as executive creative partner to key clients — including senior stakeholders at accounts like OpenAI — bringing both vision and executional credibility to every engagement.

• Drive new business and organic growth by positioning DEPT®'s motion capabilities in pitches, proposals, and client conversations.

• Collaborate with Client Partners and cross-functional leadership to embed motion into broader creative and campaign strategies.

Team Development & Culture

• Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing team of Motion Designers, Senior Motion Designers, and Principals across the organization.

• Create a culture of craft excellence, continuous learning, and creative ambition within the Motion Design team.

• Mentor senior practitioners, helping them grow into leadership roles and expand their creative and strategic range.

• Partner with People & Talent teams to build scalable hiring practices, onboarding frameworks, and career progression paths for the discipline.

Creative Execution & Standards

• Develop and maintain a high standard of motion craft — ensuring all work demonstrates strong storytelling, technical excellence, and creative originality.

• Collaborate on music selection, sound design, and audio direction to enhance storytelling, reinforce brand expression, and elevate motion quality.

• Contribute to creative reviews, pitches, and innovation initiatives, helping define the future direction of motion within the organization.

• Stay at the forefront of motion design, animation, filmmaking, AI, sound design, and emerging technologies to continually push the work forward.

WHAT YOU BRING:

• 12+ years of professional experience in motion design, animation, or a related creative discipline, with significant time in senior leadership roles.

• Demonstrated experience owning a creative practice or studio P&L, including responsibility for revenue, margin, and team growth.

• A track record of building and scaling motion design teams — hiring, developing, and retaining top creative talent.

• Executive-level client relationship skills, with experience presenting to and partnering with senior marketing and creative stakeholders.

• A strong, diverse portfolio showcasing outstanding motion design, animation direction, and a deep understanding of design principles (typography, color, layout, pacing).

• Expert knowledge of Figma, Adobe After Effects, and Frame.io. Cinema 4D a plus.

• Deep fluency in AI-assisted motion workflows, tools, and emerging creative technologies.

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Animation, Film, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

We are a collaborative, open-door, best-idea-wins environment that fosters personal and company growth and has fun doing it. Here is a snapshot of our benefits package:

• Healthcare, Dental, and Vision coverage

• 401k plan, plus matching

• PTO

• Paid Company Holidays

• Parental

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