π Core Information
πΉ Job Title: Creative Director
πΉ Company: Sinclair Broadcast Group
πΉ Location: Santa Monica, California
πΉ Job Type: Full time
πΉ Category: Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
πΉ Date Posted: July 8, 2025
πΉ Experience Level: 10+ years
πΉ Remote Status: On-site
π Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading the vision and centralizing creative services across platforms
- Building and managing a high-output creative team
- Driving alignment and prioritization across departments
- Overseeing high-volume production of creative assets
- Championing modernization and thought leadership in creative services
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic, design-driven leader with deep expertise in visual design and motion graphics, as well as strong leadership and operational skills.
π Key Responsibilities
β
Lead the Vision
- Build and lead a centralized Creative Services department
- Set and uphold standards for visual cohesion, executional quality, and cross-platform consistency
- Align with CEO Jeff Blackburnβs digital-forward vision and help steer creative evolution
ASSUMPTION: The creative leader must be able to build and manage teams, set clear standards, and drive alignment with executive vision.
β
Centralize Creative Operations
- Develop streamlined workflows and asset management systems
- Own the development of a scalable project management system and centralized creative intake process
- Leverage tooling and process design to ensure speed, scale, and quality across a high-output ecosystem
ASSUMPTION: The creative leader must be proficient in project management systems and workflow optimization to ensure efficient operations.
β
Re-Org for Efficiency
- Evaluate current in-house and freelance talent and restructure the team as needed
- Assess and reshape the org to create efficiencies, eliminate bottlenecks, and optimize delivery pipelines
- Create scalable systems that raise the floor of execution without sacrificing creativity
ASSUMPTION: The creative leader must be able to evaluate and optimize team structures to improve efficiency.
β
Cross-Department Collaboration
- Serve as the creative liaison across marketing, production, editorial, product, and DTC teams
- Partner with legacy leaders to modernize workflows while preserving institutional trust
- Drive alignment, prioritization, and shared creative standards across departments
ASSUMPTION: The creative leader must be able to collaborate effectively with various departments and stakeholders to drive alignment and prioritization.
β
Oversee High-Volume Production
- Manage the intake, prioritization, and delivery of a broad range of creative assets
- Balance operational clarity with premium creative output and brand integrity
ASSUMPTION: The creative leader must be able to manage high-volume production while maintaining brand integrity and operational clarity.
β
Champion Modernization and Thought Leadership
- Bring a modern visual POV that reflects the current moment in sports and culture
- Explore and integrate emerging toolsβincluding AI workflowsβwhere they can support creative excellence, particularly in mid-funnel versioning and motion
ASSUMPTION: The creative leader must be curious about new tools and trends in the industry, and be able to integrate them into the creative process.
π― Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Fine Arts, or a related field
Experience: 10+ years of experience in visual design and motion graphics, with at least 5 years in a leadership role
Required Skills:
- Proven expertise in visual design and motion graphics
- Strong leadership and management skills
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Familiarity with project management systems and workflow optimization
- Deep understanding of the tennis sport, schedule, and fan behavior
- Experience working with AI tools in creative services
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in sports media or entertainment
- Fluency in Spanish
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in visual design and motion graphics, with proven leadership and management skills, and a deep understanding of the tennis sport and its audience.
π° Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $175,000 - $200,000 per year
Benefits:
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Retirement Plan
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Sick Leave
- Vacation Time
- Personal Time
- Parental Leave
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Working Hours: 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is based on industry standards for a role of this level and experience, with benefits packages that are competitive for the industry.
π Applicant Insights
π Company Context
Industry: Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
Company Size: 5,001-10,000 employees
Founded: 1986
Company Description:
- Sinclair Broadcast Group is a diversified media company and a leading provider of local news and sports
- The company owns, operates, and/or provides services to 185 television stations in 85 markets affiliated with all major broadcast networks
- Sinclair also owns Tennis Channel, multicast networks CHARGE, Comet, ROAR, and The Nest, and the nationβs largest streaming aggregator of local news content, NewsON
- The companyβs content strategy is driven by AMP Media, which blends industry-leading programming and storytelling with cutting-edge technology and creativity
Company Specialties:
- Broadcast Media
- News Operations
- Original Programming
- Digital
- Content Creation
- Media
- Television
- News
- ONEMedia
- Comet
- CHARGE
- ROAR
- The Nest
- The Triple Option podcast
- Throwbacks podcast
- Unfiltered Soccer podcast
- BFFR podcast
- Sinclair Cares
- Tennis Channel
- TennisChannel 2
- Pickleball TV
- NewsON
- Criminally Obsessed
- Broadspan Wireless
- Compulse
- AMP Sales & Marketing Solutions
- AMP Media
- and Enriching Local Lives
Company Website: www.sbgi.net
ASSUMPTION: Sinclair Broadcast Group is a well-established company with a diverse range of media properties and a strong focus on local news and sports.
π Role Analysis
Career Level: Executive
Reporting Structure: The Creative Director will report directly to the SVP of Marketing
Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time
Growth Opportunities:
- As a new role, the Creative Director will have the opportunity to shape the creative function and build a high-performing team
- The role offers the chance to work under one of the most influential operators in modern media and help build whatβs next
ASSUMPTION: The Creative Director role offers significant growth opportunities and the chance to make a substantial impact on the companyβs creative output.
π Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Corporate office
Office Location(s): 10706 Beaver Dam Rd, Cockeysville, Maryland 21030, US
Geographic Context:
- The office is located in Cockeysville, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore
- The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living with easy access to major highways and public transportation
Work Schedule: Standard business hours, with flexibility for project needs
ASSUMPTION: The office location offers a convenient and accessible work environment with a mix of urban and suburban living options.
πΌ Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume submission
- Phone or video screen with HR
- In-person or virtual interview with hiring manager
- Final round interview with senior leadership
- Background check and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creative portfolio and design thinking
- Leadership and management skills
- Understanding of the tennis sport and its audience
- Familiarity with AI tools in creative services
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant skills and experience
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on leadership, management, and creative problem-solving
- Showcase your understanding of the tennis sport and its audience in your interview
- Be prepared to discuss your familiarity with AI tools in creative services
ATS Keywords: Visual Design, Motion Graphics, Creative Leadership, Project Management, Workflow Optimization, Tennis, AI in Creative Services
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidateβs creative skills, leadership potential, and understanding of the tennis sport and its audience, as well as their familiarity with AI tools in creative services.
π οΈ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects)
- Cinema 4D
- Premiere Pro
- Final Cut Pro
- AI tools for creative services (e.g., versioning, motion, dynamic resizing)
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be proficient in industry-standard design and motion graphics software, as well as emerging AI tools in creative services.
π Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Creativity
- Collaboration
- Innovation
- Excellence
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Adaptable and flexible
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your personal values align with the companyβs core values?
- How do you approach collaboration and teamwork in a fast-paced environment?
- How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies?
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be a strong cultural fit with the companyβs values and work style, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
β οΈ Potential Challenges
- Managing a high-volume workload with tight deadlines
- Balancing operational efficiency with creative excellence
- Navigating a large, complex organization with multiple stakeholders
- Adapting to a rapidly evolving media landscape
ASSUMPTION: The Creative Director role presents unique challenges, including managing high-volume workloads, balancing operational efficiency with creative excellence, and navigating a large, complex organization with multiple stakeholders in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
π Similar Roles Comparison
- Creative Director (Broadcast Media)
- Responsible for the creative vision and execution of on-air and digital content for a broadcast network
- Manages a team of designers, editors, and producers
- Collaborates with programming, marketing, and production departments to ensure consistent branding and messaging
- Creative Director (Sports Media)
- Oversees the creative direction and production of sports content across multiple platforms
- Works closely with athletes, teams, and rights holders to create compelling storytelling
- Manages a team of designers, editors, and producers with a focus on sports-specific content
- Creative Director (Entertainment Media)
- Leads the creative vision and production of entertainment content, including scripted and unscripted programming
- Works with writers, producers, and talent to develop and execute creative concepts
- Manages a team of designers, editors, and producers with a focus on entertainment-specific content
ASSUMPTION: The Creative Director role in broadcast media requires a strong understanding of on-air and digital content creation, while the role in sports media demands a deep knowledge of sports-specific content and storytelling. The entertainment media role focuses on developing and executing creative concepts for scripted and unscripted programming.
π Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive visual identity for a new broadcast network
- Creating a high-impact marketing campaign for a major sports event
- Designing a user-friendly interface for a streaming app
ASSUMPTION: Sample projects for the Creative Director role may include developing a comprehensive visual identity for a new broadcast network, creating a high-impact marketing campaign for a major sports event, or designing a user-friendly interface for a streaming app.
β Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How do you approach balancing operational efficiency with creative excellence in a high-volume production environment?
- Can you describe a time when you had to navigate a complex organization with multiple stakeholders to drive a creative project forward?
- How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies in creative services?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt your creative vision to accommodate a change in project scope or direction?
- How do you approach collaboration and teamwork in a fast-paced, dynamic environment?
ASSUMPTION: Key questions to ask during the interview should focus on the candidateβs ability to balance operational efficiency with creative excellence, navigate complex organizations, stay current with industry trends, adapt to project changes, and collaborate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
π Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the linked provided link
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant skills and experience, with a focus on visual design, motion graphics, and leadership
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on leadership, management, and creative problem-solving
- Showcase your understanding of the tennis sport and its audience in your interview
- Be prepared to discuss your familiarity with AI tools in creative services
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your interview to express your continued interest in the role
β οΈ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.