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POSITION OVERVIEW

The Lead Designer, Brand & Motion, will join WETA’s in-house Creative Studio, a collective of award-winning designers and storytellers, helping shape the look and feel of WETA’s most visible creative — from original series and documentaries to digital campaigns, brand initiatives, and high-profile presentations. This is a hands-on design leadership role for someone who can move seamlessly between motion, key art, and campaign storytelling.

You will guide the development of striking visual identities and marketing campaigns that define how audiences experience WETA’s content across streaming, digital, and on-air platforms. The ideal candidate understands how to build modular design systems that look as strong on a 4K screen as they do as a streaming thumbnail in a crowded lineup.

We’re looking for a designer who brings equal strength in motion graphics, campaign design, and brand storytelling, and who’s excited to help evolve how WETA shows up visually across every platform and audience.

This hybrid role is based in Arlington, Virginia, with in-office collaboration typically two days per week. The Creative Studio values flexibility and maintains a healthy respect for work-life balance.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead concept development and execution of key art, title treatments, campaign creative, and motion graphics for WETA programming and brand initiatives.

Develop modular design systems that translate effectively across broadcast, streaming platforms, and mobile devices.

Collaborate with producers, editors, and marketing teams to translate creative concepts into cohesive cross-platform campaigns.

Maintain brand consistency and visual excellence across all WETA channels and projects.

Oversee file organization and digital asset management workflows in partnership with team members.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Creative Direction and Visual Storytelling – Translates strategic goals into compelling visual narratives that connect with audiences across platforms.

Motion Design and Digital Storytelling – Strong command of motion graphics and digital design that brings content to life across platforms.

Brand Stewardship – Maintains a consistent, elevated brand presence across all visual expressions and campaigns.

Collaboration and Communication – Works effectively with producers, editors, and marketing partners to bring creative concepts to life.

Innovation and Adaptability – Explores new tools and technologies, including ethical generative AI, to enhance creative workflows and efficiency.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, including After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere. Experience with Cinema 4D or similar 3D tools is a plus.

Deep understanding of modular design systems and how creative needs to adapt across broadcast, streaming, and mobile formats.

Strong grasp of motion design principles, pacing, composition, and typography in motion.

Experience integrating ethical generative AI tools for creative ideation, workflow optimization, and content development, with an understanding of appropriate and responsible use.

Excellent organizational skills and file management discipline, with experience using digital asset management systems such as Brandfolder.

Ability to collaborate effectively with producers, editors, and designers across disciplines to deliver cohesive, high-quality campaigns under tight timelines.

Strong sense of brand stewardship and design systems thinking to maintain consistency and elevate the WETA brand.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

BA/BS (4-Year College / University Degree)

LOCATION:

WETA and NewsHour Productions are Washington, DC established media and news organizations. We are a largely local workforce based out of the Campbell Place office in Arlington, VA. WETA and NewsHour Productions value employee flexibility when possible. Most positions based in our Arlington, VA office will be onsite or hybrid, depending upon the role.

COMPANY OVERVIEW:

WETA and its subsidiary NewsHour Productions LLC serve local and national public media audiences by producing and distributing content of intellectual integrity and cultural merit. Through broadcast, digital and community services, the organization offers compelling, diverse programming on five television channels, including primary channel WETA PBS, and on WETA Classical, the exclusive home for classical music in the nation’s capital; produces a portfolio of national television productions, including PBS NewsHour, recognized globally for bringing balanced, in-depth news coverage to all Americans; creates impactful documentaries with longtime production partners Ken Burns and Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.; features a variety of content offerings on weta.org, WETA Passport, the PBS Video App and the WETA Classical App; and serves communities near and far with education and engagement initiatives that contribute to the company’s mission of public service. Benefits | WETA

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

WETA and NewsHour Productions are equal opportunity employers committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and internships. WETA and NewsHour Productions make hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

Lead Designer, Brand & Motion

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