Senior Social Media Designer

Job Summary:

ESPN Social is looking for a talented designer to help us bring creative sports content to life across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, and Snapchat. Each day you’ll be tasked with blending creativity, sports knowledge, journalistic instincts, and design skills to produce industry-leading content seen by millions of sports fans. 

A Senior Social Media Designer will be expected to create multiple high-end creative assets that span a variety of accounts and platforms in any given week. Ideal candidates should have experience managing other creatives and an ability to utilize audience data to inform how ESPN evolves its design. A Senior Designer will be expected to interpret ESPN content authentically for social media platforms and represent the off-platform content team in group meetings with internal stakeholders.

This position is open to NY, CT, CA or Charlotte locations.

Responsibilities:

• Create assets across off-platform destinations that are uniquely optimized to fit each social media audience and align with ESPN’s social brand identities
• Work in a fast-paced environment that requires quick-turning numerous pieces of content in a day
• Demonstrate an ability to balance multiple projects and the flexibility to pivot from a plan to react to breaking news or viral moments
• Collaborate alongside social media specialists and help them execute their visions 
• Pitch ideas in weekly brainstorms and daily content meetings
• Work with Social Specialists and Creative Manager on co-leading content plans for priority events and initiatives 
• Educate social media specialists to advance their understanding of basic design concepts to maintain the ESPN visual brand and create content that is optimized for social media
• Communicate with managers and producers to regularly update project timelines and report on progress
• Note that sports happen on nights, weekends, and holidays and those shifts are to be expected in this position
• Will lead on projects that require interfacing with internal partners within the company, as well as outside freelancers
• Strong ability to vet content (beyond design layout) to ensure visuals adhere to ESPN’s values and brand with the social media audience in mind 

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of design experience in social media
• Online portfolio/demo reel showcasing your creativity, design, and type layout skills
• Highly proficient in Adobe Photoshop
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work under high pressure and tight deadlines
• Understanding of social media and other emerging platforms
• Basic knowledge of the sports landscape, including current athletes, rules, and events
• Understanding of and appreciation for audience analytics

Preferred Qualifications:

• Willing to learn about new editing software and implement it with ESPN Social’s design team when appropriate
• Proficient in video editing software, including but not limited to Adobe After Effects and Premiere
• Commanding knowledge of the sports landscape
• Strong familiarity with social media and pop culture trends
• Highly skilled in interpreting and applying social data to influence design choices

Required Education:

• High school diploma and a suitable combination of related training and experience.
   

Preferred Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in graphic design or related field.

#ESPNMedia
The hiring range for this position in New York is $88,478 – $118,690 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.