Director, Motion Graphics & Design

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics consists of more than 275 staff members and coaches and sponsors 30 varsity sports programs. These programs include more than 850 student-athletes who participate annually across various sports programs within the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Position Summary

Acts as the primary creative architect for Cal Athletics' visual identity, translating complex brand narratives into high-impact digital assets. Exercises wide latitude in determining the technical approach for live event capture, behind-the-scenes features, and bespoke recruiting content. Leads the integration of emerging technologies, such as AI-driven workflows, to optimize production speed and scalability. Provides strategic oversight and mentorship for a large student workforce, establishing the pedagogical framework for a department-wide digital content program. This role operates with significant independence, pitching original storytelling concepts directly to leadership and resolving unique production challenges in high-pressure, live-action environments.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: April 29, 2026

Responsibilities

The Director, Design - Football is a key member of the Athletics Department's Strawberry Creek Studio and leads the conceptualization and execution of high-impact visual assets primarily for Football and helps define the Cal identity across various sports, amplifying Cal's brand narrative consistent with the external strategy that overlays the unit. You will capture the energy of live sporting events, produce access-driven content, and develop personalized digital content tailored for recruiting and retention of student-athletes and staff and to promote external revenue generation. This position requires a fast-paced, solution-oriented mindset to achieve brand storytelling that resonates across all of Cal Athletics' digital platforms, traditional marketing, and in-venue videoboards.

This role will work independently and proactively to pitch high-level storytelling concepts with leadership and be responsible for bespoke execution on tight timelines. You will be innovative in your approach and leverage emerging technologies like AI to achieve speed and scale while also maintaining brand guidelines.

This role is responsible for recruiting, building, and supervising a consistent workforce of students and interns to scale digital content creation across the department. It also requires the creation of a comprehensive digital content creation program for student staff, mentoring them in the execution of professional-level storytelling, ensuring a consistent brand story across Athletics.

Content Conceptualization & Strategic Pitching:

• Working independently and proactively to pitch high-level storytelling concepts to Cal Athletics leadership. This includes developing content calendars that align with specific recruiting cycles, retention goals, and revenue-generation windows.

Multimedia Production & High-Impact Execution:

• Leading the end-to-end execution of visual assets, including cinematic video, photography, motion graphics, and visual design. This involves capturing the 'energy' of live events and producing behind-the-scenes features that define the Cal brand identity for social platforms and in-venue videoboards.

Recruitment & Retention Content Specialized Delivery:

• Developing AI generated personalized digital content and templates specifically tailored to attract elite recruits and enhance the student-athlete experience. This ensures a consistent brand narrative that aids in both player acquisition and internal program loyalty.

Revenue Generation:

• Developing AI generated personalized digital content and templates specifically tailored to attract elite brands and elevate the Cal Athletics brand. This ensures a consistent brand narrative that aids in both traditional and new revenue streams and building fan loyalty.

Technological Innovation & AI Integration:

• Leveraging emerging technologies, such as Generative AI and advanced editing tools, to achieve speed and scale in content production. This responsibility focuses on maintaining University brand guidelines while modernizing the studio's workflow for faster digital turnaround.

Budgeting & Strategy:

• Manage content creation budgets, track expenses, and evaluate the content effectiveness via feedback and data to improve future work.

Quality Control & Post-Campaign Analysis:

• Govern the post design review process by analyzing feedback and performance; implement continuous improvements to maintain Power 4 conference excellence.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of program activity and best practices.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions.
• Strong active listening skills.
• Excellent verbal communication skills in the English language.
• Excellent written communication skills in the English language.
• Proficiency in the use of computer applications relevant to job duties.
• Technical expertise in capturing high-speed sports action.
• Ability to produce content specifically formatted for stadium videoboards and social platforms.
• Ability to interpret digital performance metrics including engagement, reach, and conversion.
• Ability to refine content strategy using performance data.
• Ability to demonstrate return on investment for revenue generation.
• Ability to pitch big picture concepts to executive leadership.
• Ability to translate concepts into a cohesive brand narrative.
• Skills in recruiting, training, and mentoring a student and intern workforce.
• Ability to maintain quality control across a distributed team.
• Experience managing production budgets.
• Ability to navigate tight, deadline-driven schedules in collegiate athletics.
• Ability to work independently while remaining aligned with internal teams.
• Solution-oriented mindset.
• Ability to integrate emerging technologies into traditional brand guidelines without compromising quality.
• Mastery of Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Experience with cinematic camera operation.
• Deep understanding of AI tools for automated workflows, asset scaling, and creative brainstorming and visualization.
• Strong coaching and mentoring skills for lower level staff.
• Strong time and project management skills.
• Ability to establish priorities and meet competing deadlines for self and team.
• Strong interpersonal communication and people management skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with clients, staff, and vendors.
• Strong collaboration skills to meet goals and objectives.
• Strong working knowledge of visual asset design, brand development, and the creative process.
• Knowledge of the NCAA and Power 4 landscape.
• Understanding of recruiting cycles, NIL trends, and student-athlete retention drivers.
• Ability to maintain current knowledge of applicable rules and standards of the Atlantic Coast Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
• Ability to comply with all rules and standards applicable to the Berkeley campus of the University of California and affiliated organizations.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
This is a full-time, Career position that is eligible for full benefits.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.