Miller Zell is hiring: Motion Graphics Design Director in Atlanta

POSITION SUMMARY: The Motion Graphics Design Director plays a key role in the development and hands-on execution of animated digital design and content across a range of projects, primarily including environmental retail banking spaces and entertainment venues that support digital communication touch points. Responsible for executing the design direction on assigned projects, ensuring that creative work aligns with client objectives. Collaborates closely with cross-functional teams (Design Leadership, Design Peers, Strategy Directors, Digital Production, Account Leaders and Project Managers) to deliver high-quality design solutions. Works closely with project teams and clients to brainstorm concepts and set creative direction. Requires strong graphic design background and brand identity expertise, demanding exceptional attention to detail, a sharp eye for maintaining brand consistency and the ability to manage multiple complex projects effectively. Problem-solving skills are essential for addressing design challenges and ensuring the final product is both functional and innovative. Provides day-to-day project team leadership to maintain high standards of design work. Clear and proactive communication skills-both verbal and written-are necessary for presenting ideas to clients and fostering collaborative teamwork.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Creative Strategy & Execution:

• Manages the strategic design direction and execution of dynamic digital content-from storyboards to final animation-for high-profile accounts, ensuring alignment with corporate vision, long-term goals and client objectives
• Leads the development of innovative, forward-thinking design solutions that exceed client expectations, set industry benchmarks and maintain brand integrity
• Ensures creative strategies align with project objectives, brand standards, and client expectations, effectively formulating and articulating strategy in both verbal and written forms
• Oversees creative execution in both directorial and hands-on roles, maintaining adherence to strategy, processes, budgets and schedules
• Leads brainstorming sessions, concept development and client presentations, driving collaboration and staying abreast of best-in-class motion graphics design and software

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Fosters seamless collaboration across departments such as Video Production, Marketing, Procurement, Project Management, Account Management, and Business Development teams, maintaining the creative vision and ensuring consistent storytelling through motion and design

• Upholds best practices for external partnerships, including freelance and vendor collaboration and selection, delivering clear creative direction and ensuring outputs meet or exceed quality and brand standards
• Guides the development of scalable workflows and processes, ensuring the creative team's resources are leveraged to maximize innovation and impact

Team Leadership:

• Oversees and optimizes resource planning and prioritization, aligning team capabilities and project demands with organizational goals while ensuring efficient use of time, budget and talent across multiple initiatives
• Mentors and empowers design team members, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and excellence

Client Engagement:

• Serves as the creative leader in high-level client engagements, presenting strategic creative approaches and innovative motion graphics solutions that align with business objectives and help drive impactful outcomes
• Establishes and maintains trusted, long-term client partnerships, positioning the team as a leader in motion graphics excellence, strategic collaboration and proactive identification of opportunities to add value
• Leads the development of innovative, client-focused strategies, ensuring creative solutions align with market trends, organizational goals and evolving client needs

Communication and Critical Thinking:

• Communicates effectively-both verbally and written-adapting style and tone to suit different audiences.
• Balances diverse perspectives to deliver innovative, strategic solutions that align with organizational objectives and exceed client expectations, ensuring holistic success
• Presents with authority, clarity, and poise, addressing questions and objections effectively.
• Anticipates potential challenges and proactively recommends solutions.

• Asses the difficulty of initiatives, identifies processes and actions associated with complex initiatives

POSITION REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Bachelor's Degree from a 4-year College, University or Art School in Graphic Design, Animation, Motion Graphics, Digital Media, Video Production or closely related field.

Experience: The ideal candidate should have 5-10 years of experience in creative roles, with a background in brand communications, and design project management. They must exhibit strong creative direction skills and a proven ability to work with cross-functional project teams. Additionally, the candidate should have experience mentoring junior team members, effectively engaging with clients, and expressing creative strategies. Expertise in developing compelling presentations and a demonstrated history of delivering high-quality design solutions is essential.

Special Skills/Qualifications:

• Proficient in Adobe After Effects, Premiere, Cinema 4D, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop), PowerPoint and/or Keynote
• Prior experience working on brand projects for Financial Services and Retail, Banking, Quick-Serve Restaurants, and Hospitality a plus
• Strong use of typography in digital portfolio is a plus

Travel: 10-20% travel monthly/annually as needed

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)