Creative Director, Motion

Thinkingbox (The Heist) is hiring a hands-on Creative Director, Motion in Chicago, IL to lead a motion team and shape high-impact 2D and 3D animation for marketing campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a nimble team of motion designers, providing clear creative direction across projects
• Stay hands-on, stepping in with intention when needed for design and animation
• Create storyboards and styleframes that communicate both narrative and campaign aesthetic
• Oversee and participate in producing campaign assets, including 2D and 3D motion graphics, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines and art direction
• Deliver clear, actionable feedback to team members to support growth and maintain high quality
• Work directly with clients to interpret needs and contribute creative insights through the project lifecycle
• Collaborate with the motion team to adopt new processes and workflows based on each marketing campaign’s demands
• Contribute to project budgeting and resource planning to support efficient delivery

Requirements

• Portfolio demonstrating refined motion design taste in 2D and 3D across varied marketing and campaign styles
• Curiosity-driven desire to continue improving and expanding skills
• 8+ years of experience in motion design, including 3+ years in a leadership or senior capacity
• Strong proficiency in Cinema 4D and Redshift
• Proven ability to create storyboards and polished styleframes aligned with campaign goals
• Mastery of the Adobe Suite (After Effects, Premiere, Photoshop, Illustrator) and a strong understanding of the animation pipeline
• Strong design sensibilities, able to combine aesthetic and technical execution
• Working knowledge of XParticles, Marvelous Designer, and/or Houdini is a plus
• Working knowledge of Figma
• Strong organizational skills with a solution-oriented approach to creative and technical challenges

Technologies

• Cinema 4D
• Redshift
• After Effects
• Premiere
• Photoshop
• Illustrator
• XParticles
• Marvelous Designer
• Houdini
• Figma

Benefits

• Flexible time off including paid vacation and sick days
• Consistent culture and team-building events
• Employee recognition and incentive programs
• Seasonal celebrations and gatherings throughout the year
• Office lunches
• Branded company swag
• Access to industry events, learning opportunities, and non-profit outreaches
• Dog-friendly offices
• Unlimited coffee, drinks, and snacks
• Flex work and travel options
• Comprehensive extended health benefits

Location and schedule

• Chicago, IL (onsite)
• Monday to Thursday in office
• Fridays are remote optional

Salary range: USD 160,000 - 175,000 per year