United States Department of Defense

Director, Motion Design

United States Department of Defense

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: San Francisco • California • 🇺🇸 United States

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Salary

💰 $151,400 - $185,500 per year

Job Level

Lead

About the role

  • Lead cross-functional teams to deliver world-class digital experiences for global brands.
  • Mentor and grow design talent, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and constructive critique.
  • Oversee hiring and resource allocation to build high-performing, diverse teams.
  • Operate with an entrepreneurial spirit, driving progress with minimal process and proactive problem-solving.
  • Translate business goals into actionable experience strategies and clear design principles.
  • Lead client workshops and presentations to align stakeholders, articulate vision, and secure buy-in at all levels.
  • Cultivate strong relationships with key client decision-makers and internal partners.
  • Leverage business acumen to bridge the gap between strategy and creative execution, ensuring measurable results.
  • Direct large-scale projects (web, branding, content) from concept through production, ensuring high standards.
  • Manage project constraints, ensuring deliverables meet deadlines, budgets, and client expectations.
  • Collaborate across disciplines (strategy, product, design) to optimize workflows and decision-making.
  • Apply deep expertise in visual design, UI, and branding to solve complex challenges with innovation and empathy.

Requirements

  • 8+ years of experience in a creative agency, production studio, or high-growth startup.
  • Proven leadership ability to guide and mentor diverse motion teams (2D, 3D, Editors) from concept to final render.
  • Strategic vision for translating complex business goals into compelling motion narratives and brand systems.
  • Ability to navigate complex organizations and build strong relationships with cross-functional partners and stakeholders.
  • Expertise in motion theory: Timing, pacing, kinetic typography, cinematic storytelling, and traditional graphic design principles.
  • Mastery of industry-standard tools: After Effects, Cinema 4D (or Blender/Houdini), Premiere Pro, Figma, and the Adobe Creative Suite.
  • Strong diverse portfolio showcasing a range of styles, from UI interaction animations to full-scale brand storytelling.
  • A continuous learner who stays ahead of emerging rendering tech, plugins, and AI-assisted workflows.
  • Ability to pitch concepts, present style frames/animatics, and articulate motion decisions to non-technical clients.
  • High attention to detail regarding asset management, render pipelines, file organization, and workflow efficiency.
  • Capable of prioritizing multiple tight deadlines while maintaining high creative standards and a positive team culture.
  • Willingness to travel domestically and internationally to drive new business and client relationships.
Benefits
  • Healthcare, Dental, and Vision coverage
  • 401k plan, plus matching
  • PTO
  • Paid Company Holidays
  • Parental Leave

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard skills
motion theorytimingpacingkinetic typographycinematic storytellinggraphic design principlesUI interaction animationsbrand storytelling
Soft skills
leadershipmentoringcollaborationproblem-solvingrelationship buildingcommunicationattention to detailprioritizationcreativityadaptability