Director, Visual & Digital Storytelling

About the Role

Maesa is looking for an imaginative, hands-on Director of Visual & Digital Storytelling to guide its internal Studio team and define the visual language across a portfolio of beauty brands. This position combines leadership and creative execution, making it a strong fit for someone who can direct a team, work behind the camera, and shape engaging visual narratives from idea development through final output.

The selected candidate will lead photographers, videographers, and editors while staying actively involved in production. They will work alongside Art Directors and partners across Brand, Marketing, and Social to create unified, standout content that boosts engagement and strengthens brand identity.

This person should bring a refined editorial sensibility, strong experience in both capturing and editing content, and the ability to create content that works across platforms. They should also be comfortable adopting AI-based tools and workflows to improve creativity, speed, and innovation.

The role is based in New York City and requires being in the office at least three days per week.

Creative Direction and Brand Vision

• Shape the visual identity and storytelling direction for each brand in the portfolio.
• Work closely with Art Directors to keep creative intent aligned across all customer touchpoints.
• Turn brand strategy into compelling digital-first content for multiple channels.
• Develop fresh campaign ideas, product stories, and social content concepts.
• Create distinct visual approaches that resonate with each brand’s target audience.

Content Production and Hands-On Leadership

• Oversee the full content creation process, including ideation, storyboarding, filming, and editing.
• Direct photography and video work ranging from premium campaigns to quick-turn social assets.
• Guide on-set production so the creative direction is executed at a high standard and the finished content can be used flexibly.
• Balance polished brand work with fast-moving digital content.

Team Leadership and Studio Management

• Supervise and coach a team that includes a photographer/videographer and a video editor.
• Establish clear creative standards, workflows, and expectations for the Studio.
• Build a collaborative, high-performing, and inspiring creative culture.
• Use resources efficiently and keep work on schedule and within budget.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Art Directors, Marketing, Brand, and Social teams to keep campaigns and content aligned.
• Work with stakeholders to turn business goals into effective creative output.
• Act as a core creative partner in both campaign planning and execution.

Social, Digital and AI Expertise

• Guide content strategy with strong knowledge of Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and newer channels.
• Ensure content is tailored for engagement, performance, and platform-specific expectations.
• Stay current on trends in beauty, content creation, and digital storytelling.
• Use AI tools such as generative imaging, video-editing support, automation, and optimization software to improve efficiency and scale.
• Find ways to bring AI into workflows while protecting brand quality and identity.

Storytelling and Presentation

• Create strong narratives and storyboards for campaigns and other content initiatives.
• Present ideas clearly to internal stakeholders and senior leaders.
• Bring a clear creative point of view while staying open to feedback and business priorities.

Problem Solving and Execution

• Approach challenges with creativity, practical thinking, and a solution-focused mindset.
• Perform well in both organized and fast-paced settings.
• Keep improving processes, workflows, and the overall quality of creative output.

Qualifications

• At least 8 years of experience creating digital content, with strong expertise in photography, video production, and video editing.
• Background leading creative teams in an in-house studio, agency, or brand environment; experience in beauty or fashion is preferred.
• Experience collaborating with Art Directors and cross-functional partners.
• Strong knowledge of AI tools and creative technologies, especially as they relate to production and content workflows.
• Advanced understanding of production across both large-scale shoots and quick-turn, real-time content creation.
• A portfolio that shows both high-end campaign work and social-first content.
• Deep familiarity with social platforms, current trends, and performance-led content.
• Excellent storytelling ability and the skill to build compelling visual narratives.
• Experience using editing tools such as Adobe Creative Suite and Capture One.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected salary range is $110,000 to $125,000 per year. Final compensation may vary depending on skills, experience, and location.

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, wellness programs, life and disability insurance, and retirement savings plans. The company also supports work-life balance through generous paid time off and a hybrid office setup.

Company Values and Culture

Maesa describes itself as a next-generation beauty company focused on turning bold ideas into meaningful brands. The organization values collaboration, curiosity, creativity, discipline, and a start-up mindset. It aims to create a welcoming, inclusive environment that supports diverse thinking, thoughtful risk-taking, and innovation. The company also states that it follows equal employment opportunity principles and does not discriminate against protected groups under applicable law.