Director, Strategic Creative Initiatives and Projects

Company Description

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Comcast NBCUniversal has announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company ('Versant') comprised of most of NBCUniversal's cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. The well-capitalized company will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. The spin-off is expected to be completed during 2025.

Job Description

NBC Sports Next is where sports and technology intersect. We’re a subdivision of NBC Sports and home to all NBCUniversal digital applications in sports and technology within our three groups: Youth & Recreational Sports; Golf; and Emerging Media.

At NBC Sports Next, we make playing sports better through innovative technology and immersive experiences for athletes, coaches, players and fans. We equip more than 30MM players, coaches, athletes, sports administrators and fans in 40 countries with more than 25 sports solution products, including SportsEngine, the largest youth sports club, league and team management platform; GolfNow, the leading online tee time marketplace and provider of golf course operations technology; GolfPass the ultimate golf membership that connects golfers to exclusive content, tee time credits, and coaching, tips; TeamUnify, swim team management services; and GoMotion, sports and fitness business software solutions.

NBC Sports Next includes two groups. This role is part of our Golf and Entertainment group; Over the past twenty years, Fandango has built a network of direct-to-consumer digital brands, where 50 million+ fans unite to celebrate their love for movies, TV and streaming.  We take pride in serving fans throughout their entertainment journey from content discovery to theatrical moviegoing to watching at home. Our portfolio includes leading online movie ticketer, Fandango, which tickets for more than 31,000 U.S. movie screens; world-renowned entertainment review site, Rotten Tomatoes; and Fandango at Home (previously known as Vudu), the on-demand streaming service offering the industry’s best selection of 4K UHD titles and more than 250,000 new release and catalogue movies and next day TV shows.  Come join us as we work together as one team to innovate and deliver what’s Next.

The Director, Strategic Creative Initiatives will lead and inspire a talented team of digital designers and project managers working across our sports and entertainment brands. Our ideal candidate can expertly navigate the creative process and can effectively deliver projects on time and to spec across many marketing-related deliverables; brand campaigns, digital advertising campaigns, infographics, website content, event printed collateral, premium items, sizzle videos, etc. The Director, Strategic Creative Initiatives is skilled at building relationships with key stakeholders, acting as the account executive of key projects, liaising with Art Directors, other Creative Directors, Video Producers, Graphic Designers, Marketing leads, Executives, and more.

Our ideal candidate is a highly-motivated self-starter who understands the larger company and team goals and is able to work quickly and strategically to meet the needs of the project and its stakeholders, whether it be promoting a quarterly, internal Town Hall event, building a highly-sensitive presentation for members of the C-Suite team, or designing co-branded landing pages for consumers to redeem their Fandango Rewards codes. Leadership, strategy, design thinking, and collaboration are key. Are you ready to flex your skills and join our fun, dynamic, award-winning team? Please submit any relevant work samples or a portfolio alongside your resume and application to demonstrate your experience and abilities.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the Strategic Creative Initiatives team and its projects with a steady and skilled hand
• Define and communicate overall brand strategy of each project based on goals of the campaign
• Oversee the development and execution of campaign visuals and messaging, reviewing and approving all designs, copy, video, graphic animations, etc.
• Ensure consistency and quality across all brand touchpoints
• Manage multiple projects from concept to completion while meeting tight deadlines
• Set timelines, delegate tasks and communicate clear expectations
• Understand team bandwidth and negotiate delivery timelines with key stakeholders
• Lead brainstorming sessions, conceptualize and collaborate with Designers, Art Directors, Creative Directors, Producers, Marketing leads, and Product team members on projects
• Pitch concepts to internal stakeholders
• Expertly interface with stakeholders to receive feedback and adjust designs to meet campaign goals
• Provide mentorship, feedback, and develop direct reports and junior employees
• Oversee the project management function for all of Portfolio Marketing (Creative, CRM, Performance, Analytics, etc.)
• Work alongside the Sr. Creative Director and Sr. Project Manager to optimize our project management tool and existing workflows
• Oversee and optimize the Fandango Rewards designs in partnership with the Sales team
• Oversee the Print & Vendor Management Representative to ensure all print and vendor orders are delivered on brand and on time
• Build relationships with vendors, agencies, and freelancers when needed

• Stay current on industry trends, tools and technology

• Other duties as assigned by leadership

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Marketing, Communications, Film/ Media Studios or related field.
• Master’s degree in related field preferred

• 7+ years of experience in a creative field, such as art direction, copywriting, filmmaking

• People manager experience with a proven ability to lead and develop a team.
• Strong portfolio showcasing creative leadership and high-impact work

• Deep knowledge of design tools (Adobe Creative suite), Microsoft Office products, and video production software
• Ability to demonstrate a deep understanding of marketing, branding, and consumer psychology
• Proven experience with brand campaign development, video production, digital design
• Excellent analytical, marketing, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to work proactively and effectively with other leaders and department heads
• Consistent, regular, and punctual attendance required

Desired characteristics:

• Creative talent, leadership ability, strategic thinking, and business acumen

• Ability to organize, prioritize, and handle multiple tasks/assignments/projects concurrently

• Takes initiative and is self-motivated; has a bias for action, and operates with a built-in sense of urgency to meet deadlines 

• Ability to perform duties with nominal direction; a proactive, self-starter
• Extremely detail-oriented and highly organized
• Strong sense of accountability and desire to be the one ultimately responsible for getting things done right, the first time, on time
• Proficient with Project Management tool, Asana, a plus
• Confident and professional virtual and in-person meeting presence
• Comfortable leading a group of multi-faceted creatives; possesses strong interpersonal skills
• Interest in theatrical movie releases and the entertainment industry a plus
• Knowledge of sports—playing, following, industry—a plus

Additional Job Requirements

• Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the Orlando, FL office, a minimum of three days per week.
• Willingness to travel for team events and conferences 2-4 times a year

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].

Although you'll be hired as an NBCU employee, your employment and the responsibilities associated with this job likely will transition to Versant in the future. By joining at this pivotal time, you'll be a part of this exciting company as it takes shape.