Associate Creative Director, Film

About the Job

Our core technology is the node, a device that produces energy in the ocean's harshest conditions for years at a time without human maintenance or intervention.

You know how to find the story.

Not every video comes with a brief, a call sheet, or the perfect shot. Sometimes the most interesting moments happen when no one's expecting them. You find the thing that matters, whether it's unfolding in real time or hiding in archival footage. You understand the sweet spot between documentary and brand film: work that is real, looks beautiful, and gives people a new way to understand the world we're building. You're constantly looking for ways to translate complex science, technology, and engineering into simple, accessible concepts.

You know ideas are only as good as their execution.

You love concepting, but you also love figuring out how to make things real. You understand what makes a film work, from the first spark to the final frame, and know how to balance creative ambition with the realities of what's in front of you. You find opportunity in constraints, or make your own boundaries when there are none. You solve problems on the fly and protect the original vision when plans change.

You bring people together.

Internally: you seek to connect the creative team to the rest of the org, brainstorm with technical minds, and gather insights from team leads. These connections with the team matter as much as understanding and showcasing the tech. Externally: you've built relationships with directors, DPs, editors, producers, and creatives you trust, and you're always excited to find new people to bring into the mix. You're a thoughtful collaborator who knows how to rally a team around an idea, give clear direction, and make space for different perspectives.

You know when to direct others and when to do it yourself.

You know how to find the best path for a project, whether it's directing a small crew, developing a concept with an external director, or jumping into the timeline or behind the camera to bring it to life yourself. On a small team everyone gets to stay a maker. You know when to lead, when to listen, and when to say no to something.

Candidates should have strong interpersonal skills and be able to thrive in a creative, scrappy, and collaborative environment in which the best ideas change the company's direction on a regular basis.
Responsibilities

Once you're here you will:

• Establish Panthalassa's film standards across brand videos, documentary storytelling, science education, and vlog-adjacent pieces.
• Work with engineering and other teams to understand what's happening across Panthalassa, identify stories worth capturing, and develop them from initial idea through final deliverable.
• Work directly with leadership to make the case for creative ideas and ensure video output supports shared goals across the business.
• Shoot and edit a meaningful share of projects yourself, while directing larger productions and specialist collaborators as needed.
• Build and maintain a roster of directors, DPs, drone operators, editors, animators, colorists, and other creative partners.
• Shape the production workflows and footage pipeline that support the work, from capture and organization to post-production, archiving, and final delivery.
• Own production planning, including budgets, schedules, crew, locations, and external partners, working closely with Creative Operations to keep projects on track.
• Manage and mentor our in-house Multimedia Storyteller and provide creative direction and feedback to freelance collaborators.
• Build the team: identify the people, capabilities, and systems we need as the work grows.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years professional experience in a comparable role
• A portfolio of work that demonstrates human storytelling within a technology space
• Excellent communicator who is self-directed, collaborative, and comfortable giving and receiving direct, constructive critique
• Exceptional command of scripting, budgeting, production planning, cinematography, editing, color, sound, and animation
• Experience mentoring, leading, or reviewing the work of other artists
• Genuine interest in ocean technology and climate solutions.

Compensation and Benefits

If hired for this full-time role, you will receive:

• Cash compensation of $125,000 - $180,000.
• Equity in the company. We're all owners and if we're successful, this equity should be far and away the most valuable component of your compensation.
• A benefits package that helps you take care of yourself and your family, including:
  • Flexible paid time off
  • Health insurance (the company pays 100% of gold-level PPO plan for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents)
  • Dental insurance (the company pays 100% for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents)
  • Vision insurance (the company pays 100% for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents)
  • Disability insurance (the company pays 100% for a policy to provide long-term financial support if you become disabled)
  • Ability to contribute to tax-advantaged accounts, including 401(k), health FSA, and dependent care FSA
• Relocation assistance to facilitate your move to Portland (if needed).

Location

This is an on-site position. Our offices, lab, and shop are located in Portland, Oregon.