Job Details

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 findthe 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 Associate Director of Studio to help lead a modern studio team at the intersection of craft, production, design systems, motion, and technology enablement.

This role is ideal for someone who combines strong creative and production instincts with a passion for improving how work gets made. You bring a sharp eye for craft and consistency across motion, design, and digital assets, while helping teams evolve workflows through automation, AI-enabled tooling, and smarter studio systems.

You will help guide a hybrid studio team that may include Creative Technologists and multidisciplinary studio talent across motion, design, and design systems. You are equally comfortable leading reviews, mentoring team members, partnering cross-functionally, and jumping into the work directly when needed. You know how to raise the quality of creative output while also helping make delivery more scalable, efficient, and future-ready.

This is not a pure Technology AI role. It is a studio leadership role for someone who understands that modern craft excellence depends on strong workflows, thoughtful automation, and practical use of emerging technology.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Help lead a multidisciplinary studio team across motion, design, design systems, and creative technology
• Maintain a high bar for craft, consistency, and execution across motion, video, static, digital, and adaptive deliverables
• Partner cross-functionally with creative, production, project management, strategy, client, and technology teams from concept through delivery
• Act as a hands-on studio leader, reviewing work, solving production challenges, and contributing directly when needed
• Improve studio workflows through automation, AI-enabled tools, process design, and technical enablement
• Partner with studio and craft leads to scale best practices across production standards, design systems, QA, localization, versioning, and delivery
• Work with Creative Technologists and other specialists to test and implement tools that improve quality, speed, and scalability
• Support planning, mentoring, capability building, and innovation across the studio
• Stay current on emerging creative technologies, platform requirements, and digital best practices

WHAT YOU BRING:

• 7+ years of experience in studio, motion, design, production, creative technology, or related digital creative roles, ideally including 5+ years in an agency environment
• 2+ years of experience managing or mentoring team members. Experience managing Creative Technologists a plus.
• Strong background in motion design, digital design, production, or creative technology, with a portfolio that reflects high craft and executional range
• Experience leading or contributing to complex workflows across motion, static, video, adaptive, and platform-specific deliverables
• Strong understanding of high-volume creative production, including review, QA, delivery, localization, and versioning
• Clear point of view on how automation, AI, and emerging technology can improve workflows without compromising creative quality
• Experience collaborating across creative, production, project management, strategy, client, and technology teams
• Comfortable balancing leadership and execution, with the ability to think strategically and stay hands-on
• Strong communication, organization, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills
• Strong visual judgment across typography, layout, polish, and QA
• Curiosity, rigor, sound judgment, and a builder mindset
• Experience defining new studio capabilities, innovation workflows, or scalable production systems are a plus
• Client-facing experience, including presenting work, discussing workflows, or helping shape solutions with clients are a plus

TOOLS & TECHNICAL FLUENCY

You do not need to be an engineer, but you should be comfortable working across modern studio and creative technology environments.

Proficiency in the following programs/tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite, especially After Effects, Premiere, Photoshop, and Illustrator
• Figma
• 2D animation and video production workflows
• Frame.io
• Google Workspace and Microsoft Office
• Design systems and DAM workflows
• Project management and collaboration tools such as Asana, Dropbox, Google Drive, or similar

Helpful technical fluency includes:

• AI-enabled creative tools such as Weavy, Firefly, Runway, ComfyUI, Replicate, Gemini, or similar
• 3D animation or VFX workflows
• Creative automation, templating, or workflow automation tools
• Scripting or coding familiarity, especially JavaScript or Python
• API-connected creative workflows, prototyping, or tool customization

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 Leave

WE SUPPORT YOU BEING YOU:

DEPT® is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We believe our work is its best when our people feel safe and free to be themselves. We're committed to an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process and workplace, regardless of anyone's identity, background, beliefs, lifestyle or disabilities. So tell us about any accommodations you need. It's totally confidential and only used to make sure you feel fully supported at every step.

DEPT® participates in E-Verify, meaning your Form I-9 information will be sent to the federal government to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.

We are a B Corp-certified company passionate about purpose-driven work. Our hope is that you can feel good about the contributions DEPT® is making to the world and we always have an open door for your ideas in making the world a better place.

DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world's most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention across Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data. We're 50|50 tech and marketing, partner-led, and first to move. Clients include Google, Lufthansa, Coach, eBay, and OpenAI.

Learn more about DEPT®

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.

We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.

#LI-Remote #LI-Hybrid

The anticipated salary range for this position is listed below. Salary is based on a range of factors that include relevant experience, expertise, physical location, and organizational impact. This is based on a 40-hour workweek and leveling. Keep in mind, we're flexible.

US Remote Range

$115,000-$135,000 USD