Join the Creative Leadership at Play Sports Network
Location: Bath | Department: Creative | Full-Time
Are you a skilled motion graphics designer ready to take the next step in your career or currently a Motion Graphics Manager looking for a new role? Do you thrive on leading creative projects, mentoring designers, and shaping visual storytelling across digital platforms? At Play Sports Network, we’re looking for a Motion Graphics Design Manager to lead and grow our in-house motion graphics function.
You’ll oversee the creative and strategic output of motion design across our suite of market-leading cycling and mountain biking YouTube channels — including Global Cycling Network (GCN), Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) and GCN Tech — as well as working across commercial partnerships and branded content.
This is a leadership role for someone who’s still passionate about hands-on design and animation, but also experienced in managing others, improving workflows, and partnering with stakeholders across content, marketing, and commercial teams.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead the development and delivery of high-quality motion graphics across editorial, commercial, social, and branded content.
* Manage and mentor one or more Motion Graphics Designers, providing creative direction, feedback, and support with day-to-day prioritisation and development.
* Collaborate with stakeholders across departments (content, production, commercial, and marketing) to interpret briefs, explore creative approaches, and deliver polished visual content.
* Maintain and evolve our channel branding, ensuring consistency and innovation across motion assets.
* Manage multiple projects simultaneously, from short turnarounds to long-term campaign work, ensuring delivery on time and to spec.
* Oversee file structure, project archiving, and efficient use of templates and assets across the team.
* Ensure compliance with licensing for assets such as fonts, stock imagery, and music.
* Identify opportunities to innovate creatively or improve process workflows within the team.
* Lead the development of creative proposals, mood boards, storyboards, style frames, and animation samples for pitches or internal concepting.
What We’re Looking For:
* Proven experience as a senior or lead motion designer, ideally within an in-house digital or broadcast content team.
* Strong experience managing or mentoring junior creatives.
* Expert-level proficiency in After Effects, including plug-ins like Element 3D, Particular, and others.
* Solid working knowledge of Cinema 4D (or similar 3D tools) and rendering workflows.
* Strong understanding of design fundamentals – layout, typography, colour theory – and how to apply them for digital platforms.
* Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud apps (Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro).
* A collaborative team player who communicates effectively and builds strong cross-functional relationships.
* Highly organised, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple timelines.
* Calm under pressure and adaptable to changing priorities or fast-paced production environments.
Preferred Experience:
* Degree in Motion Design, Animation, Graphic Design, or similar (or equivalent industry experience).
* Experience working in branded content, digital publishing, or social video environments.
* Understanding of YouTube content formats and visual trends.
Success Indicators – First 6 Months:
* Built strong working relationships with internal stakeholders and your motion team.
* Delivered standout creative work that enhances the visual identity of our channels.
* Successfully led the motion design elements of commercial campaigns or channel projects.
* Streamlined processes or introduced best practices to improve team efficiency.
* Provided meaningful mentorship and support to your direct report(s), helping them grow.
Why Join Play Sports Network?
At Play Sports Network, we create engaging content for passionate cyclists and mountain bikers around the world. You’ll be joining a collaborative, fast-paced, and creative environment where innovation is encouraged and supported. We champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we’re committed to helping our team members thrive — both personally and professionally.
Ready to lead the next generation of motion creatives?
Apply now with your CV and showreel/portfolio – we can’t wait to see what you bring to the team.