Associate Creative Director, Art

Role Summary

The Associate Creative Director, Art works in close partnership with the Associate Creative Director, Copy—together, they are responsible for shepherding creative output of multiple assigned brands, producing and overseeing work that is Brave, Authentic, and Inspiring. Partners closely with Copy, Account, and Studio, along with Creative Management to ensure that clients are satisfied with the quality of our creative work, the value of our services, and our responsiveness to their needs.

This is a hybrid position requiring the ability to commute to our Irvine, CA office at least 3 days per week.

Responsibilities

• Helps develop and review creative briefs with Copy and Account partners
• Works with Copy partner to produce exceptional, strategically focused concepts and campaigns
• Takes on appropriate print, video, and digital projects as the lead art director
• Creates layouts and designs that are attention-grabbing, unique, and aligned with brand identity
• Works independently, often under tight deadlines, while juggling multiple brands/projects and managing other art directors
• Provides constructive feedback and clear direction to improve others‚Äô work
• Provides direction to external vendors, including photographers, illustrators, and video producers
• Seeks new vendor leads to expand agency roster
• Actively participates in client meetings
• Leads design presentations; helps lead concept presentations
• Helps lead brand planning and new business efforts as required
• Attends market research as appropriate
• Understands that advertising is a service industry that sometimes requires extra time and effort to meet client commitments

Management

• Assigns art directors best suited for each project based on ability and workload
• Manages workloads to maximize productivity of the Art team, ensuring that everyone is billable
• Works closely with other team leads to ensure jobs stay on track with deadlines and budgets
• Guides creative execution with constructive feedback and clear direction
• Provides written and face-to-face feedback for annual performance reviews, as well as ongoing feedback throughout the year
• Identifies and interviews prospective creative candidates

Leadership

• Creative leader for assigned brands in partnership with Copy ACD
• Maintains excellent client relationships
• Works with Account partners to grow business with existing clients
• Works with Creative Management to address performance, workflow, and quality issues
• Leads art directors in development of award-worthy concepts and execution of all projects
• Assures that junior art directors are trained and mentored to maintain the expectations of the agency and the client, and to meet their own career goals
• Consistently demonstrates to clients an understanding of their brands and marketing challenges, and is responsive to their strategic and creative needs
• Represents the agency at client meetings; co-presents creative work with Copy partner

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in advertising agency (creative in pharmaceutical or healthcare industry preferred). BA degree preferred
• Proven leadership competencies to include setting vision and strategy, building teams, knowing the business, driving for results, and encouraging open exchange of ideas and knowledge
• Strong, proven management experience across multiple functions including management of exempt personnel in fast-paced, service/team environment
• Highly motivated change agent that can drive business-focused solutions
• Experience with a wide array of media including print, video, online, events/displays
• Proficient with design applications including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and PowerPoint as well as a thorough working knowledge of print production
• Understanding of interactive media production
• A proven track record of creative ability; highly successful client contact experience
• An excellent presenter, collaboration skills, manager experience, exceptional marketing and strategic abilities; a deep understanding of science and healthcare; expert understanding of MLR (Medical/Legal/Regulatory review) requirements; and award-winning design skills in all media