Creative Director, Filmmaker for Brand Storytelling
Roku
Santa Monica, CA · Posted October 12, 2026
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Where Santa Monica, CA ranks
Where Santa Monica, CA placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #13Best cities for entry-level jobs that want AI skills in the West Coast13% · of 54
- #14Best cities for AI-skill jobs in the West Coast20% · of 71
- #14Best cities for director and executive jobs in the West Coast23% · of 71
- #16Best all-round cities for mid-career professionals in the West Coast52 / 100 · of 39
- #16Best all-round cities for AI careers in the West Coast54 / 100 · of 39
- #18Best cities for pay after cost of living in California$151k · of 32
Rankings about design jobs
- Best cities for design jobs #1 New York (717 openings)
- Most requested AI skills in design jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (14.5%)
- Employers with the most design jobs #1 Amazon (176 roles)
Pay compared with the market
This listing does not state pay. Across 55 open creative director listings that state pay, the middle half runs $164,000 to $221,500 and the median is $182,000.
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How AI is used in this kind of work
Among art directors, AI is already used for some of the tasks. Measured exposure for art directors: 21% (some).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
Skills this job asks for
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About the job
Teamwork makes the stream work.
Roku is changing how the world watches TV
Roku is the #1 TV streaming platform in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and we've set our sights on powering every television in the world. Roku pioneered streaming to the TV. Our mission is to be the TV streaming platform that connects the entire TV ecosystem. We connect consumers to the content they love, enable content publishers to build and monetize large audiences, and provide advertisers unique capabilities to engage consumers.
From your first day at Roku, you'll make a valuable - and valued - contribution. We're a fast-growing public company where no one is a bystander. We offer you the opportunity to delight millions of TV streamers around the world while gaining meaningful experience across a variety of disciplines.
What is the role?
The Creative Director/Filmmaker — Brand Storytelling leads the concept, development, and production of Roku-produced brand commercials, video idents, experience videos, and other high-impact brand films within the Creative Studio. This is a hands-on creative leadership role for an exceptional storyteller who can find the simple, ownable, and entertaining idea, shape compelling narratives within the world of Roku City, and guide the creative vision from first pitch through post-production. You will turn brand and business objectives into entertaining, visually distinctive work that strengthens Roku's cultural relevance, recognition, and audience connection. The role requires both creative ambition and practical fluency across editorial, animation, visual effects, sound, color, and finishing. You will lead stories that can be funny, surprising, emotional, or all three—using comedy, character, visual invention, live-action sensibility, animation, and emerging production techniques. This role partners closely with an AI-assisted, in-house production team to establish creative standards, develop treatments and scripts, direct development, and bring the work to life with speed, flexibility, and craft. You will be accountable for ensuring work is high-quality, on-brand, emotionally resonant, and delivered efficiently across campaigns, products, and global markets.
For California Only - The estimated annual base salary for this position is between $209,400 - $232,800.
Compensation packages are based on factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, certifications, and specific geographical location.
This role is eligible for health insurance, equity awards, life insurance, disability benefits, parental leave, wellness benefits, and paid time off.
How will I use AI at Roku?
At Roku, we don't just use AI, we work with it. AI agents and smart tools help power drafts, analysis, and repetitive workflows, while our people bring direction, judgment, and accountability.
We value curious, adaptable builders, who can show how they've used AI, agents, or automation to move faster, improve quality, and scale their impact. Strong candidates know how to frame problems, guide AI-assisted work, check the output, and learn quickly. Above all, they bring curiosity, adaptability, and sound judgment.
What are the responsibilities of the role?
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">Lead end-to-end creative development of Roku Creative Studio brand commercials, video idents, experience videos, and related brand storytelling—from brief and insight through concept, treatment, script, visual development, production, post-production, and final delivery
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">Define the creative point of view for each project, establishing the story, tone, visual language, comedic approach, performance direction, pacing, sound, and craft standards
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">Write, develop, or collaborate on scripts, treatments, storyboards, beat sheets, visual references, and production plans
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">Direct the creative process across live-action-inspired, animation, visual effects, motion, and AI-assisted video approaches—identifying when each technique best serves the story
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">Lead an in-house production model using AI-assisted and agentic workflows, maintaining a high bar for originality, quality, brand integrity, and responsible use of AI
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">Collaborate with Brand Strategy, Copy, Marketing, Product, Devices, Advertising, and other cross-functional partners to translate business objectives into audience-first stories
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">Present concepts and creative recommendations to senior stakeholders, building alignment while protecting the strength and distinctiveness of the work
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">Champion a culture of experimentation, candor, generosity, humor, and creative excellence within the team
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">Build and maintain relationships with select external creative, production, talent, and finishing partners when specialized support is needed
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">Establish and evolve a portfolio of Roku brand storytelling that scales across campaigns, products, experiences, and global markets
What experience would help someone be successful in this role at Roku?
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">10+ years of experience as a video creative director, filmmaker, director, or equivalent creative leader in a brand, agency, entertainment, studio, network, or production environment
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">A strong portfolio demonstrating excellence in commercial filmmaking and visual storytelling, including brand films, commercials, idents, experience videos, or other high-impact video work
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">Demonstrated ability to develop an idea from a brief into a clear, compelling concept and carry it through pre-production, production, and post-production workflows
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">Exceptional visual storytelling skills, with a sharp eye for composition, camera, performance, pacing, production design, motion, sound, and editorial rhythm
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">Experience creating comedy-driven work, including strong premise, character, timing, tone, surprise, and emotional payoff
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">Experience leading multidisciplinary teams of producers, editors, animators, designers, writers, technical artists, and production partners
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">Ability to give clear, actionable feedback and inspire excellent work without creating unnecessary process or friction
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">Comfort working in an evolving, AI-assisted production environment with genuine interest in agentic creative workflows and emerging approaches to filmmaking
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">Sound judgment around the responsible use of AI, including originality, rights, likeness, representation, confidentiality, and brand safety
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to make complex creative choices simple and persuasive for a range of stakeholders
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">A collaborative leadership style and a positive, creative team dynamic
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">Experience with AI-assisted video tools, virtual production, procedural workflows, or AI-assisted editorial, animation, and visual effects is highly valued
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">Experience developing global brand work and adapting stories across markets, formats, and cultural contexts
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">A strong understanding of the streaming ecosystem and the role that simplicity and delight play in the customer experience
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">A portfolio or reel showcasing commercial, visual storytelling, comedy, and animation work (please include links and passwords, if applicable)
p]:inline" data-streamdown="list-item">Bachelor's and/or master's degree in film, communications, design, or a related field—or equivalent practical experience
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What's Roku's approach to hybrid working?
Roku fosters an inclusive and collaborative environment where teams generally work in the office Monday through Thursday. Fridays are generally flexible for remote work, except for employees whose specific roles or assigned office location require five days' a week attendance.
What are some of the benefits?
Roku is committed to offering a diverse range of benefits as part of our compensation package to support our employees and their families. Our comprehensive benefits include global access to mental health and financial wellness support and resources. Local benefits include statutory and voluntary benefits which may include healthcare (medical, dental, and vision), life, accident, disability, commuter, and retirement options (401(k)/pension). Employees are supported in taking time off, in accordance with local leave policies and other personal needs to support their evolving work and life needs. It's important to note that not every benefit is available in all locations or for every role. For details specific to your location, please consult with your recruiter.
Accommodations
Roku welcomes applicants of all backgrounds and provides reasonable accommodations and adjustments in accordance with applicable law. If you require reasonable accommodation at any point in the hiring process, please direct your inquiries to EmployeeRelations@Roku.com .
What should I know about Roku's culture?
Roku is a great place for people who want to work in a fast-paced environment where everyone is focused on the company's success rather than their own. We try to surround ourselves with people who are great at their jobs, who are easy to work with, and who keep their egos in check. We appreciate a sense of humor. We believe a fewer number of very talented folks can do more for less cost than a larger number of less talented teams. We're independent thinkers with big ideas who act boldly, move fast and accomplish extraordinary things through collaboration and trust. In short, at Roku you'll be part of a company that's changing how the world watches TV.
We have a unique culture that we are proud of. We think of ourselves primarily as problem-solvers, which itself is a two-part idea. We come up with the solution, but the solution isn't real until it is built and delivered to the customer. That penchant for action gives us a pragmatic approach to innovation, one that has served us well since 2002.
To learn more about Roku, our global footprint, and how we've grown, visit https://www.weareroku.com/factsheet .
By providing your information, you acknowledge that you want Roku to contact you about job roles, that you have read Roku's Applicant Privacy Notice , and understand that Roku will use your information as described in that notice. If you do not wish to receive any communications from Roku regarding this role or similar roles in the future, you may unsubscribe at any time by emailing WorkforcePrivacy@Roku.com .