Animator / Motion Designer / Video Editor

About Portable

Portable is a leading innovation partner in Australia, focusing on developing technology and design solutions that support public good initiatives. Our collaborations span government bodies, nonprofits, and socially-driven enterprises to enact transformative social change. Our team includes over 65 professionals such as researchers, strategists, designers, creatives, technologists, and producers based at our Collingwood headquarters and across remote locations in Australia.

Role Overview

This position is within our Design and Creative Services team, a diverse group of human-centered designers, producers, and creatives who drive impactful solutions through a thorough design process. You will join a tight-knit creative unit centered on storytelling through video, animation, and photography, requiring proactive and collaborative engagement every day.

We are seeking an Animator / Motion Designer / Video Editor with a strong storytelling focus complemented by technical proficiency. You will bring expertise in animation and video editing, shaped by a keen instinct for narrative pacing—knowing precisely when to cut, highlight, or integrate footage and motion to resonate with audiences. Our ideal candidate is collaborative, client-facing, and committed to elevating voices and stories alongside community members and clients.

Responsibilities

• Create motion graphics, brand animations, and title sequences.
• Edit video footage, including selecting clips, applying color grading, and audio integration.
• Composite video elements with techniques such as motion tracking and green screen.
• Provide creative direction and narrative insight beyond technical execution for client briefs.
• Collaborate closely with clients to align video and animation work with their brand and messaging.
• Lead storytelling or storyboarding workshops with clients and people with lived experience to surface needs, ideas, and constraints.
• Contribute to in-house storytelling workshops, helping the team understand the role of motion and video in supporting broader practices.
• Mentor fellow editors and animators, preparing to take on a leadership role as the team expands.
• Explore and integrate AI tools thoughtfully, providing guidance on their effective application.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in motion design, 2D animation, and video editing.
• High proficiency in After Effects and strong skills in Premiere Pro.
• Illustration and character design abilities, with skills in Adobe Illustrator and Procreate to develop original visual concepts.
• Confidence in storyboarding from initial idea to shot-ready sequences.
• Proven storytelling ability that balances technical skill with strong creative judgment.
• Experience engaging with clients directly, facilitating dialogue, and transforming feedback into improved work.
• Previous mentorship or leadership experience within editing or animation teams.
• Interest and experimental approach to emerging AI technologies relevant to video and animation.
• Preferred extras include filming/camera operation, 3D animation, photography, Photoshop/InDesign, copywriting, and workshop facilitation.
• A sincere passion for co-design, social change, or purpose-driven projects is highly valued.

Compensation and Work Arrangement

The salary for this role ranges from $75,000 to $95,000 annually plus superannuation, negotiable according to experience. The position is based in Melbourne, primarily at our Collingwood office 3 to 4 days per week, with 1 to 2 days available as hybrid remote work. We are also receptive to part-time formats such as 0.8 FTE for the right applicant.

Employee Benefits

• Meaningful, impactful projects addressing mental health, social justice, and accessibility.
• Flexible working conditions, including remote, hybrid, and personalized work hours.
• Enhanced leave policies including bonus annual leave, options for purchased leave, paid volunteer leave, and mental health days without prerequisites.
• Structured career development, an annual professional development budget of $1,000, attendance at leadership programs, salary reviews twice per year, and leadership coaching opportunities.
• Comprehensive wellbeing support via Employee Assistance Program offering counseling and career support.
• Financial benefits such as profit-sharing bonuses, employee share plans, and salary sacrificing.
• Family-friendly policies with enhanced parental leave and accommodating part-time work for caregiving responsibilities.

Diversity and Application Process

We are committed to fostering a diverse and equitable workplace and strongly encourage applicants from underrepresented groups.

To apply, please submit your resume, a concise cover letter addressing why this role interests you and detailing a relevant project where you used video or animation to tell a socially impactful story, and a link to your portfolio showcasing recent pertinent work.