Position Overview

This is a hands-on leadership role at the center of a premium documentary series that blends live-action interviews, host segments, expert discussions, archival footage, and extensive animated storytelling. You will set the motion graphics language for the entire series and make sure every episode looks and feels like it belongs to the same show.

You will work directly with the Director, the Animation Director, and the Series Producer to turn abstract ideas, historical events, and cultural context into graphics an audience can actually follow. You will also lead a team of designers and animators, review their work, and stay hands-on for the hardest and most important shots yourself.

This role sits between editorial, design, animation, and post-production. If you like building systems as much as you like making beautiful frames, and you want your name on something that airs to real audiences, this is built for you.

Key Responsibilities

Motion Graphics Development & Creative Execution

• Develop and execute the series' motion graphics and animation language alongside the Director, Art Director, and Series Producer.
• Create style frames, motion studies, animation approaches, graphic systems, and typography treatments that align with the visual direction.
• Design visual solutions that communicate complex ideas, historical events, cultural context, and abstract concepts clearly.
• Establish and maintain motion graphics guidelines, templates, and reusable design systems across the series.

Collaboration & Creative Planning

• Work closely with the Director, Art Director, Series Producer, editors, and post-production teams throughout development and production.
• Collaborate with editors to integrate motion graphics, animation, archival material, and live-action footage seamlessly.
• Flag motion graphics requirements early and contribute to production planning.

Motion Graphics & Animation Production

• Lead the design and production of title sequences, lower thirds, animated explainers, infographics, maps, timelines, and transitions.
• Direct storyboarding, animatics, pre-visualization, and concept development for animated sequences.
• Oversee the creation and integration of both 2D and 3D animation, staying hands-on for hero moments.

Team Leadership & Workflow Management

• Provide creative leadership to motion graphics designers, animators, and freelance collaborators.
• Manage workflows, schedules, and priorities with the Series Producer, production management, and post-production teams.
• Review work and give direct, constructive feedback that raises the bar.

Systems, Processes & Asset Management

• Build scalable motion graphics workflows suited to the format of the project.
• Set up organized project structures, asset management systems, templates, and version control.

Quality Control & Delivery

• Review every deliverable for creative and technical quality against post-production and delivery specs.
• Support final finishing, mastering, and delivery where motion graphics are involved.

Ideal Qualifications

Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Motion Design, Animation, Graphic Design, Film, Visual Communication, or a related field.
• 5 to 10 years of professional experience in motion graphics, animation, or motion design for film, television, documentary, or premium digital content.
• A strong portfolio that shows motion graphics design, animation, visual storytelling, and creative problem-solving.
• Experience mentoring, leading, or supervising motion graphics designers and animators.

Technical Knowledge

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, and the Adobe Creative Suite.
• Advanced skills in Cinema 4D, Blender, or equivalent 3D animation software.
• Familiarity with VFX workflows, compositing, CGI integration, and editorial and post-production pipelines.
• Familiarity with DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, or equivalent finishing software.

Leadership & Communication

• Proven ability to translate complex ideas into compelling visual experiences.
• Strong project management, communication, and organizational skills.
• Comfortable working with international teams and multicultural audiences.

Work Environment

You will work in a collaborative, deadline-driven production environment spanning editorial, animation, and post-production. Expect close coordination with external vendors and freelance collaborators, and the pace that comes with delivering a multi-episode series on a hard air date.