Creative Director

Creative DirectorIn Office - Full Time - Director Level10-15 employees - Marketing ServicesSkills: Thorough knowledge of Adobe software, Microsoft Office and Mac OSGordley Group is seeking a proven Creative Director ready to lead creative efforts and advance the agency's reputation and expertise within the industry.WHO WE AREGordley Group is a highly collaborative, award-winning Arizona marketing firm focused on helping those who help others grow healthy and thriving communities. We aspire to bring people together to create powerful connections that foster positive change and outcomes. We live our core values of Quality, Respect, Integrity, Teamwork and Enthusiasm.ABOUT THE ROLEThrive on finding solutions to marketing and client challenges to provide stunning and impactful creative solutions to marketing challenges.Play a pivotal role in shaping the creative direction of the firm and clients that play a crucial role in Arizona communities.Be responsible for leading a team of talented designers and writers to ensure our creative meets the highest aesthetic and technical standards.WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO BE SUCCESSFULProven experience in leading and managing a team of creatives, with a focus on fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.Ability to conceptualize, articulate and realize a creative vision that fulfills agency and client goals.Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance creative vision with technical, budget and schedule constraints and deliver high-quality visual outcomes and deliverables.A flexible and adaptable approach, with the ability to respond positively to change and manage uncertainty effectively.A natural curiosity and eagerness to learn and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques in graphic design and marketing.A commitment to creating an inclusive and collaborative work environment that fosters a culture of respect and teamwork.Extensive experience with industry-standard design and production tools and software.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES1. Manage creative department and creative output:Ensure creative produced by the firm is of the highest quality.Lead the creative department, establish the vision and goals for the department and manage projects and personnel.Oversee staff and resources: Designers, Copywriters, Art Directors, IT, Production.Write and administer yearly performance reviews, assess quantity and quality of work, award merit raises, determine course of action in disciplinary situations.Interview and hire new designers, copywriters, IT and production personnel; determine pay range for various positions.Vet and assign projects to various external freelance designers, copywriters, Web designers.Evaluate and choose specialty vendors such as photographers, video and audio producers, etc.Create and oversee procedures for workflow, accuracy, estimating, budgeting and job tracking.2. Manage brand development, implementation and stewardship:Advise and participate in brand discovery processes.Manage brand development processes including evaluation and formation of brand attributes, positioning statement, communications points, logo, tagline and style guide.Manage brand implementation including templates and design for business papers and materials.Manage brand compliance within organizations.Establish guidelines and standards for visual image.3. Manage projects and creative product:Provide leadership, creative insight and strategies for all creative projects.Write creative briefs, establish project scopes, establish estimates and budgets.Act as creative lead, lead brainstorm sessions, develop creative strategies, provide design/copy solutions.Review design solutions and copy, offer input and direction; ensure the proposed solution is appropriate to the project parameters.Assign projects to the team, determine timelines and establish budgets.Keep track of deadlines and schedules for numerous projects simultaneously through traffic management system.Coordinate deadlines and parameters with other departments to ensure projects are completed in an efficient and timely manner.Approve all final art, QC press proofs, etc.4. Manage client accounts

(Gordley Group does not have Account Executives-department directors interface directly with the client):Meet with clients to discuss project parameters, review creative, assess and solve design-related challenges and issues.Present creative to clients.Represent creative at client marketing meetings.Work with other departments to establish marketing approach.Monitor and manage project budgets and billing.5. Participate in Gordley management team:Provide leadership and insights to address company growth, personnel and management issues.Actively promote the company's values, develop and implement strategies to reinforce them.Represent the company at industry/client events.6. Participate in Gordley marketing:Provide creative guidance in Gordley marketing meetings and efforts as part of a core marketing team.Determine and define best targeted clients and projects for creative services.Review creatives RFPs, determine viability and create proposal content.Direct preparation of comprehensive marketing proposals and make presentations.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLSBachelor's degree of Fine Arts and 8-10 years of related work experience and strong portfolio.Four years of project and personnel management experience.Ability to manage multiple projects and personnel.Ability to assess personnel needs and performance evaluations.Excellent communication skills with the ability to convey design concepts and give feedback clearly and effectively to team members and clients.General knowledge of creative software and tools.