the Ladders
Art Director
the Ladders, Dallas, TX
Purpose
Responsible for creating innovative ideas, and managing their visual execution through all forms of media.
Responsibilities
Art Direction and Concepting
Quality Control
Relationship Management
Competencies
Professional Skills & Knowledge
Experience
3-5 years of experience in graphic design and/or advertising preferred. A strong creative portfolio
required.
Salary Range
Our estimated range for this role is $70k - $120k
Compensation packages are based on the skill level and experience each candidate brings to their role. There may also be a more senior or junior position available that could be a better fit with your expertise. Each level has its own compensation range.
We pride ourselves on competitive salaries, and ensuring pay equity exists across our organization. We benchmark each position against existing employee competencies and 4As compensation data which includes geographic and agency size benchmarks. We also meet with department leaders 3x/year to ensure we are supporting employees in living into their full potential. Our promotions are not limited to a specific time per year. Promotions are tied to performance.
Right To Work In The US
You must be authorized to work in the US for any employer. At this time, we are not sponsoring or providing assistance with obtaining work authorization.
McKinney is a place where everyone can grow. Studies have shown that marginalized communities such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. However you identify, and whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day.
We are in the office Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday on a hybrid schedule. We look forward to meeting you!
Responsible for creating innovative ideas, and managing their visual execution through all forms of media.
Responsibilities
Art Direction and Concepting
- Works in concert with a copywriter to develop and design great creative concepts and presentation approaches
- Develops visual direction and provides art direction expertise
- Generates effective visual dramatizations of selling ideas and generates imaginative design for ads
- Takes responsibility for finalizing files, prepping for printers and maintaining existing quality standards
- Directs onsite photo shoots
- Designs in a variety of styles
- Designs advertising and design projects (logos, brand identity, websites, experiential design, etc.)
- Remains current on industry trends and technology
Quality Control
- Ensures the quality, craft and implementation of all work done on projects assigned
- Delivers creative work that is on time, on target and on budget
- Manages press checks
- Selects photographers/illustrators from among sources, works closely with them, and/or directs them to ensure the original concept approved by the client is carried out
- Monitors all assigned production and follows through all phases of production
- Supervises photography, typesetting, illustration, and production
Relationship Management
- Collaborates with writers, creative technologists, strategists, account management, and clients
- Understands the Client's business, brand, products and their customers
- Always leads by example
Competencies
- Creative Stewardship. A high standard of creative work that is award-winning, applauded by the industry and appreciated by existing clients and new business prospects.
- Relationship Management. A professional role model with positive influence who motivates colleagues. Ability to collaborate with all key stakeholders across all offices.
- Cultural Leader. Help activate and foster the McKinney culture, and serve as a McKinney Brand Ambassador to the advertising industry.
Professional Skills & Knowledge
- Creativity. Comes up with a lot of new and unique ideas; easily makes connections among previously unrelated notions; tends to be seen as original and value-added in brainstorming settings
- Project Management. Quickly zeros in on the critical few and puts the trivial many aside; can quickly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal; eliminates roadblocks; creates focus.
- Presentation Skills. Is effective in a variety of formal presentation settings: one-on-one, small and large groups, with peers and managers; is effective both inside and outside the organization, on both cool data and hot and controversial topics; commands attention and can manage group processes during the presentation; can change tactics midstream when something isn't working.
- Functional / Technical Skills. Must be an expert in Adobe Creative Suite. Flash, CSS, Javascript and front-end development skills a plus
Experience
3-5 years of experience in graphic design and/or advertising preferred. A strong creative portfolio
required.
Salary Range
Our estimated range for this role is $70k - $120k
Compensation packages are based on the skill level and experience each candidate brings to their role. There may also be a more senior or junior position available that could be a better fit with your expertise. Each level has its own compensation range.
We pride ourselves on competitive salaries, and ensuring pay equity exists across our organization. We benchmark each position against existing employee competencies and 4As compensation data which includes geographic and agency size benchmarks. We also meet with department leaders 3x/year to ensure we are supporting employees in living into their full potential. Our promotions are not limited to a specific time per year. Promotions are tied to performance.
Right To Work In The US
You must be authorized to work in the US for any employer. At this time, we are not sponsoring or providing assistance with obtaining work authorization.
McKinney is a place where everyone can grow. Studies have shown that marginalized communities such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. However you identify, and whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day.
We are in the office Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday on a hybrid schedule. We look forward to meeting you!