Creative Director - Storyteller

About Nova Sky Stories

Nova Sky Stories helps artists and producers deliver wonder-filled live experiences to audiences worldwide. As a pioneer in drone entertainment, the company has spent more than ten years reimagining live shows by combining advanced drone systems with imaginative creative direction.

Backed by an experienced group of engineers and creatives, Nova develops and flies lightweight, compact, highly accurate, and safety-focused drones built to perform in challenging settings such as city environments, very hot or cold conditions, and strong winds. The company creates aerial story experiences that turn the sky into a memorable visual canvas.

With its headquarters in the United States and teams in Europe and the UAE, Nova Sky Stories partners with major brands, venues, and events around the world.

Role overview

Nova Sky Stories is looking for a seasoned and highly collaborative Creative Director to help shape a growing storytelling medium within the sky story industry. This role will work directly with clients and partners to create fresh, inspiring story concepts, then partner with the Nova Design Studio to turn those ideas into finished experiences.

The work spans sectors such as theme parks, music, and fine art, with particular interest in candidates who have experience in cultural storytelling, including tourism, heritage locations, and place-based narratives. The position also plays an important role in connecting Nova’s engineering, operations, and finance teams to push both creative ambition and technical feasibility.

The sky story space is still early in its evolution, so the company is open to finding the right person who can help shape and grow the industry alongside the team.

What you'll do

• Create proposals for long-running shows, installations, and residencies.
• Work closely with clients to understand their goals and turn them into story-led creative concepts.
• Collaborate with the Nova Design Studio to develop, refine, and strengthen ideas.
• Guide projects from the first concept stage through launch and delivery.
• Bring cross-functional teams together so the creative vision, technical practicality, and business objectives stay aligned.
• Support sales and business development through pitch decks, presentations, and other creative materials.

What you need

• At least 10 years of experience in storytelling, creative entertainment, cultural preservation, or a closely related area.
• Strong expertise in cultural storytelling, ideally informed by anthropology, history, or heritage-focused work.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects from concept all the way to completion.
• Experience preparing sales materials such as pitches, decks, and presentations.
• A collaborative, open-minded style with humility and a strong commitment to learning.

What success looks like

• You are naturally curious and excited by the creative possibilities of drones and emerging technology.
• You explain ideas clearly and persuasively, whether you are presenting concepts or offering feedback.
• You work well in highly collaborative, team-oriented environments.
• You take initiative, look for solutions, and own outcomes.
• You stay comfortable with ambiguity as creative work changes and evolves.
• You maintain high creative standards while staying receptive to constructive feedback.

How to succeed in this role

• Turn ideas into structured, workable creative processes that move projects ahead efficiently.
• Handle several projects and deadlines at once while protecting the quality of the creative output.
• Keep generating new ideas and experimentation to expand how the medium is used.
• Partner across internal teams, clients, and outside collaborators to bring concepts to life.
• Balance fast execution with strong quality standards in a dynamic environment.
• Contribute actively to a feedback-rich culture by both sharing and applying input.
• Adapt creative direction as project needs, limitations, and opportunities change.

Compensation and benefits

The salary range for this role is USD 190,000 to USD 225,000 per year. Compensation will depend on experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location.

In addition to competitive pay, Nova Sky Stories offers medical, dental, and vision coverage; a 401(k) plan with company match; flexible PTO; paid sick leave; paid parental leave; company-paid holidays; and equity opportunities for eligible employees.

Additional information

This is a full-time, onsite position based in Burbank, California.

Nova Sky Stories is building something entirely new, and the team is looking for people who want to contribute to that journey. The closing note in the source encouraged candidates to apply to support the company’s storytelling mission.