Associate Director, Visualization

About Sprout: Sprout Studios is an award-winning, Boston-based concept-to-launch design studio deeply rooted in technology and innovation. Our studio inspires creative collaboration, incubates innovative solutions, rapidly prototypes concepts, and allows our team and clients to create what’s next.

We are design do-ers with a bit of an attitude, but never an ego. We are fueled by the curiosity for what happens after what’s next. When you join the team at Sprout, you’re joining a group of people who share a passion for creative problem-solving, value collaboration, encourage a culture of candor, and respect one another and the unique skills we each have to offer.

Role Overview: The Associate Director, Visualization plays a key role in leading our visualization team, driving the execution of creative projects, optimizing workflows, and advancing our capabilities in image creation. This role is responsible for overseeing daily operations, managing the team’s production pipeline across key accounts, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality visualization work.

We are looking for a hands-on leader who can inspire and guide artists, improve processes, and manage technology-driven workflows. The Associate Director, Visualization, will be responsible for headcount planning, performance management, and ensuring efficient collaboration between teams. This role is crucial to maintaining high-quality standards and scaling our visualization function to meet evolving business needs.

The Associate Director, Visualization will oversee a team of 3 creators plus specialty contractors and must have experience managing a fast-paced, production-oriented 3D team. They will collaborate closely with Creative Directors and Account Managers to ensure seamless execution of projects.

Responsibilities Include:

• Oversee the 3D team’s production output, ensuring efficient workflows and best practices.
• Manage daily operations for visualization, including scheduling, resourcing, and optimizing project execution.
• Deploy new image creation technologies to enhance efficiency and output quality.
• Identify, implement, and manage cost and time-saving tools and software for visualization.
• Partner with Creative Directors and Account Managers to ensure all projects meet quality standards, are delivered on time, and align with client expectations.
• Mentor and develop visualization team members, providing guidance and skill-building opportunities.
• Balance multiple projects simultaneously, making informed decisions on priorities and resource allocation.
• Support client and sales processes, including analyzing new opportunities and contributing to proposal development.
• Conduct internal and client-facing design reviews to ensure the best possible outcomes.
• Manage the team’s technology stack, ensuring the right software and tools are in place.
• Contribute to Sprout’s growth strategy, participating in management meetings and cross-department initiatives.

Experience Required:

• Proficiency in Keyshot, 3DS Max, Blender, and other relevant 3D applications.
• Strong understanding of technical workflows and automation for large-scale 3D visualization.
• 5+ years managing production-oriented technical 3D teams.
• Ability to mentor and develop talent, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with a proactive mindset.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of working across teams and with clients.
• Ability to prioritize and adapt to changing business needs while maintaining high-quality output