Associate Director of Animation, Interactive & Environment Design

University of Wisconsin Madison • Madison, WI

12d • $80,000 - $90,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

PBS Wisconsin is seeking a creative leader to manage a diverse team of artists and designers specializing in animation, interactive design, and scenic/environment design. This role is responsible for the creative leadership, daily management, and strategic direction of this team, which produces animated content for broadcast and digital media, designs scenic environments for studio and live productions, and leads emerging media initiatives like interactive storytelling and game development. The team operates as an integrated unit within the larger Design department at PBS Wisconsin. The Associate Director collaborates with other Associate Directors (Graphic Design & Motion Design, Digital Strategy & Engagement) and various organizational teams (production, education, operations) to ensure the creative work aligns with PBS Wisconsin's mission and strategic priorities. The organization values both craft and culture, fostering a positive work environment. This is a full-time, 40-hour-a-week position, ongoing/renewable, with core business hours of Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and occasional evening/weekend requirements. It is a hybrid position requiring a minimum of 4 days per month in person on the University of Wisconsin Madison campus, with flexibility in scheduling. Fully remote candidates will not be considered. Remote work requires an approved flexible work arrangement (FWA), including having high-speed internet and a phone, and using a university-provided computer. Transportation to the work location is the employee's responsibility.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience leading and managing creative teams or direct reports, including providing creative direction, feedback and mentorship to artists and designers of different disciplines.
• At least 5 years of hands-on experience in one or more of the following: animation, interactive media or game design, scenic or environmental design.
• Demonstrated experience leading innovative work, including a track record of identifying gaps, taking initiative and stepping in to provide creative solutions that push the work or team in a new direction. Examples may include experimenting with emerging technologies or media formats, developing new creative workflows, or expanding the team’s creative work in a meaningful new direction.
• Demonstrated commitment to building team culture, including active efforts to foster connection and belonging, combined with an adaptability to change.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, including experience working across departments and with a wide range of internal and external partners.

Nice To Haves

• Background in public media, entertainment, games or a similarly complex production environment.
• Experience with animation production and pipelines.
• Experience with interactive storytelling, game design or immersive media.
• Experience with scenic design, shop tools or live events and studio production.
• Strong project management skills, including experience managing multiple concurrent workstreams, vendor relationships and production budgets.

Responsibilities

• Researches, evaluates and advocates for emerging creative technologies, media formats and tools that advance PBS Wisconsin's mission and expand the station's creative capabilities, with a focus on interactive storytelling, immersive experiences and game-based content.
• Brings forward new ideas and approaches that position the organization at the forefront of public media innovation.
• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
• Develops, implements, and maintains work unit identity, design standards, policies, and procedures to ensure appropriate use of financial, administrative, and staffing resources.
• Serves as a subject matter expert and liaison between external and internal stakeholders providing information regarding creative design strategies and representing the interests of the unit.
• Develops and monitors creative communication plans and dissemination protocols, workflows, and progress measurements to ensure production adheres to unit objectives in alignment with strategic initiatives.
• Maintains unit budget and financial records to ensure adherence with institution and rules and regulations.
• Creates, designs, and produces artwork per client specifications through various mediums.

Benefits

• generous paid time off
• competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance
• tax-advantaged savings accounts
• participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree