Design Director at AbelCine in New York, NY

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.

Key Responsibilities

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.