An Art Director has a proven track record as a senior-level creative team member, with a strong design acumen to develop, implement, and maintain brand integrity throughout integrated campaign deliverables for clients and Stream Companies.
An Art Director is a strong leader, able to communicate and manage workflow & deadlines, keep teammates close, encourage, and collaborate. An Art Director fosters a team environment where all graphic designers work together to produce the best product on time and communicate effectively with other members of their creative team.
An Art Director must possess a passion for creating his/her best work and leading a team to do the same. This person will be a self-starter who thrives in an agile environment and leads with a can-do attitude. The Art Director has a keen eye for design and detail, and is always looking to level up creative.
Essential Responsibilities:
Assist the Creative Director with artwork support for client strategy planning/presentations
Develop and oversee the execution of appealing graphics and effective creative across a broad range of mediums, including digital, email, direct mail, print, etc.
Ensure projects are delivered on time and in line with the clients’ brands and expectations
Directly oversee members of the creative team
Mentor and train new and current team members
Conduct 1-on-1s
Provide constructive feedback for projects and performance
Take disciplinary action when needed
Assign projects to team members and work with the team and other departments (AMs, ACD, CD, etc.) to clarify requests, troubleshoot, and keep projects moving forward through the appropriate channels.
Conduct daily team standups, set priority expectations, and ensure follow-through
Serve as a resource for the team, stay informed of current design & manufacturer campaigns and goals, and assist in the coordination of necessary graphics across multiple pieces
Troubleshoot and work cross-departmentally to generate new ideas or approaches for Stream products or marketing strategies for clients
Understanding of all Stream Companies' product offerings that require accompanying design deliverables and participates in development of new technologies or offerings.
Stay informed of current client and manufacturer campaigns and assist in the coordination of necessary content across multiple pieces
Take direction and feedback from CD, VP of Creative, and Chief Creative Officer
Ensure all design processes are adhered to (WF, AEM, file naming, etc.)
Proactive, solutions-first mindset
Participate in departmental planning – structure, processes, etc.
Identify opportunities and solutions for team efficiencies
New hire onboarding
Help perform the CD/ACD role in their absence (clarify requests, troubleshooting, and delegation).
Strive for operational excellence
Adhere to Stream’s policies and procedures, such as a 1-hour response time and 24-hour resolution
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree or certificate in Advertising, Design, Interactive, or related creative discipline
5-8+ years related work experience
Prior supervisory experience preferred
Automotive experience preferred
Skills & Experience:
Highly proficient in integrated branding and marketing, brand development, and creative campaigns.
Strong understanding of how a design impacts the overall audience engagement and efficacy of a campaign through the use of layout, hierarchy, and eye-catching creative.
Advanced knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite - Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator
Proficient in optimal file setup for all mediums and prepress standards for print
Mastery of design automation with the ability to troubleshoot, audit, and maintain templates
Highly proficient in conceptual design work.
Strong time management, organizational & multi-tasking skills
Strong communication skills regarding communicating with clients, vendors, and internal staff
Highly proficient in presentation skills and conceptual work
Understand the automotive industry and automotive marketing, including terminology, trends, trackers, etc.
Strong understanding of FTC, manufacturer co-op/compliance, and state advertising laws
Detail-oriented with strong organizational and project management skills, able to work well under deadlines, and perform multiple tasks effectively and concurrently for the team and himself or herself
Can find a way to be creative and innovative in our regulated industry – strive for atypical automotive advertising concepts