Creative Director, Motion - The Heist

Thinkingbox • Chicago, IL

8d

About The Position

Hi! We’re The Heist, the production, post production and animation arm of Thinkingbox, a global creative collective shaping the future of brands through craft and curiosity. Our team brings together unique perspectives in production, design, technology, and creativity that push the boundaries for our clients to create work that is uniquely ours. We are a curious bunch that loves to think big, continuously learn, and create. We love our culture and the natural collaboration that happens in and around our five offices, from dog parties, to happy hour Fridays, to random team trips to Whistler, we maintain a vibrant work environment. However, for one month a year we encourage our people to explore the world. Try working from another office or even the beaches of Bali and expand your worldview, then bring that experience back to the team.

The Heist is on the hunt for an exceptional, hands-on Creative Director, Motion, to join our team in Chicago. In this role, you’ll lead a tight-knit team of motion designers, crafting visually stunning 2D and 3D motion graphics and animation for high-impact marketing campaigns. Reporting to the Director of Animation, you will work on advertising projects for a diverse range of clients, ensuring each campaign’s creative vision aligns seamlessly with client goals. Your role includes hands-on creation, storyboarding, and collaboration with our animation team, as well as client-facing responsibilities.

Requirements

• A portfolio showcasing a refined taste in motion design in 2D and 3D across varied marketing and campaign styles.
• A desire to further your skills driven by your own curiosity.
• 8+ years of experience in a motion design role, with 3+ years in a leadership or senior capacity.
• Strong proficiency in Cinema 4D and Redshift.
• Demonstrated ability to create clear storyboards and refined styleframes that align with campaign goals.
• Mastery of the Adobe Suite (After Effects, Premiere, Photoshop, Illustrator) and a thorough understanding of the animation pipeline.
• Strong design sensibilities, demonstrating the ability to merge aesthetic and technical skills.
• Strong organizational skills, with a solution-oriented approach to creative and technical challenges.

Nice To Haves

• Working knowledge of XParticles, Marvelous Designer, and/or Houdini is a big plus.
• Working knowledge of Figma.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a nimble team of motion designers and guiding projects with a strong creative direction.
• Be hands on and demonstrate intention when needed, be it in design or animation.
• Develop clear storyboards and polished styleframes that convey the narrative and aesthetic of each campaign.
• Oversee and participate in creating campaign assets, including 2D and 3D animation, ensuring all work aligns with brand guidelines and art direction.
• Provide clear, actionable feedback to team members, fostering growth and maintaining the highest quality of work.
• Engage directly with clients, interpreting their needs and providing creative insights throughout the project lifecycle.
• Collaborate with the motion team to adopt new processes and workflows that meet the unique demands of each marketing campaign.
• Contribute to project budgeting and resource planning to ensure efficiency.

Benefits

• Opportunities to grow and evolve alongside a dynamic, passionate team.
• A chance to work on exciting, high-impact projects across a variety of industries and styles.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees