Director, Creative Production

About Ovative Group: Ovative Group is an independent, full-funnel media, measurement, and creative firm. Leveraging our deep industry expertise, we help brands like Best Buy, Domino's, American Eagle, The Home Depot, Post, Disney, Tumi, Michael Kors, Boost Mobile, and UnitedHealth Group transform their media and measurement programs. The result? Profitable growth that speaks for itself. At Ovative, we don't just track data, we redefine success. How do we do it? Our proprietary MarTech platform, EMRge helps businesses transform marketing into a driver of sustainable growth. Powered by Enterprise Marketing Return (EMR), our differentiated approach to holistic media buying, planning, and measurement, EMRge is the first MarTech platform to measure businesses holistically. We're all about raising the bar every day, and it shows. Our work has been recognized by organizations like Digiday, Google, Inc. 5000, USA Today, and Search Engine Land. About the Role: Creative Lab is Ovative's in-house creative engine — built on our vision of Modern Making. As part of the broader Creative Team (Influencer + Creative Lab), we unite brand strategy, cultural relevance, creators, AI enablement, and strategic media to create ideas people care about within systems designed to evolve. We are seeking a Director, Creative Production — a hybrid editor, producer, and director who owns the full arc of video and content production, from first storyboard to final frame. This is the person the team turns to for everything from fast-turn AI-assisted turnaround to a flagship campaign shoot, equally fluent directing a live set and architecting a generative pipeline, and sharp enough to know which one — or what blend of both — the idea actually deserves. The role is hands-on by design: you'll execute the work yourself, not just oversee it, while building the team, tools, and infrastructure that turn production into a durable, differentiated capability at Ovative — not a reaction to whatever the market's excited about this quarter. Responsibilities: Lead creative production and own execution on all video and content work that comes through Creative Lab — client work, business development needs, or internal asks alike. Serve as lead editor and motion graphics designer for all video-based content, and as director for all AI-generated video creation. Raise the profile and quality of Ovative's video work. Collaborate with the Creative Team to help bring video-based ideas to life, contributing to overall storytelling and creative execution. Provide editorial and creative direction throughout the process so every deliverable is on-brand and on-message. Be the production partner the Creative Team relies on to turn concepts into plans that are actually achievable on budget and on timeline. Bring emerging AI production tools (Seedance, Kling, Runway, and whatever comes next) into standard workflows — not as a novelty, but as a repeatable capability that differentiates Ovative's offering. Manage the flow of concurrent work so no one project collides with another. Help create and own the budget for each project. Stay current on emerging tools and techniques on both sides of the craft — AI and traditional production — including attending industry events like Adobe MAX, CES, and AI-specific conferences, and bringing what's learned back to the team. Build and develop a production team, internal and freelance, that can absorb real volume without quality slipping. Manage a team and own their direct reports' development paths Manage production vendor and freelancer relationships. Build and maintain the production systems: standardized workflows and bin structures, templates and automation (including the Premiere Pro and After Effects scripts already in use), and the link between Creative and IT that keeps remote edit stations, AI tools, storage solutions working together. Build central, organized repositories: brand asset libraries for repurposing across accounts, and a consistent system for producing case study and award submission videos. Requirements: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in production, film, media, or a related field. 12+ years of experience in an agency, in-house creative studio, or brand environment, with a proven track record of leading and delivering world-class video-based content. Significant experience in video production and post-production, spanning hands-on execution, running tight and efficient sets and field shoots, collaborating with artists, and team leadership. A portfolio that demonstrates strong storytelling, exceptional craft, and creative leadership — including work that leverages AI-enabled workflows. Advanced proficiency in editorial tools (Premiere, After Effects), with demonstrated command of motion design and animation principles. A demonstrated track record of scaling AI video production specifically — not just experimenting with it. Experience owning budgets, managing freelance talent, and coordinating vendor relationships across concurrent projects. Comfortable owning both the creative and operational sides of production — from the work itself to the systems that make it repeatable. Proven leadership ability: someone who can set direction, develop people, and hold a team to a standard, not just execute individually. Insatiable curiosity and a bias toward pushing boundaries — someone who's first to try the new tool, first to break the "right" way of doing things, and restless about finding the next edge of what production can be. Experience managing a team of creative professionals and owning direct reports' development paths. Benefits of Working at Ovative Group: We provide strong, competitive, holistic benefits that understand the importance of your life inside and out of work. Culture: Culture matters and we’ve been recognized as a Top Workplace for ten years running because of it. We demand trust and transparency from each other. We believe in doing the hard and complicated work others put off. We’re open in communication and floor plan. We’re flat – our interns sit next to VPs, our analysts work closely with senior leaders, and our CEO interacts with every single person daily. Put together, these elements help foster an environment where smart people can support each other in performing to their highest potential. Ovative is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can participate and thrive. We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind, including on the basis of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Our policies reflect this commitment—for example, our medical leave benefits are inclusive of same-sex partners, ensuring equitable care and support for all families. Compensation and Insurance: We strive to hire and retain the best talent. Paying fair, competitive compensation, with a large bonus incentive, and phenomenal health insurance is an important part of this mix. We’re rewarded fairly and when the company performs well, we all benefit. Tangible amenities we enjoy: Access to all office spaces in MSP, NYC, and CHI Frequent, paid travel to our Minneapolis headquarters for company events, team events, and in-person collaboration with teams Generous paid vacation policy 401k match program Top-notch health insurance options, inclusive of same sex partners Family formation benefits including reimbursement options for fertility, pregnancy, and parenting needs Monthly stipend for your mobile phone and data plan Sabbatical program Charitable giving via our time and a financial match program Shenanigan’s Day Working at Ovative won’t be easy, but if you like getting your hands dirty, driving results, and being surrounded by the best talent, it’ll be the most rewarding job you’ll ever have. If you think you can make us better, we want to hear from you!