Associate Creative Director, Art Job at Walker Sands in Chicago

We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. As an equal opportunity employer Walker Sands is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and welcomes everyone to our team.

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Overview:

Walker Sands is looking for an associate creative director, art to join our Creative team out of our Chicago office - hybrid. As an associate creative director, art, your primary focus will be to craft and activate world-class creative campaigns and visual brand identity systems for industry-leading B2B brands. You will also oversee and coach a talented team of designers, collaborate cross-functionally - with creative directors, designers, copywriters, motion designers and strategists as well as PR, digital and social media experts from across the agency - and help us continue to shape and evolve our growing creative team.

Responsibilities:

Design + Individual Contribution:

• Collaborate with creative directors, strategists, designers, and copywriters to conceive, develop, and launch innovative creative campaigns and brand identity systems.
• Apply conceptual thinking to deliver creative solutions that align with project objectives and exceed client expectations.
• Confidently present work to clients and support sales presentations as needed, showcasing the value and impact of our creative solutions.
• Articulate and defend design decisions effectively, gathering feedback from both colleagues and clients to refine and enhance our creative output.

Creative + Sales Leadership:

• Provide mentorship and coaching to a team of designers, focusing on personal growth and development.
• Oversee weekly creative reviews to offer constructive feedback and celebrate achievements.
• Contribute to business development efforts by participating in concepting, proposal development, and pricing discussions, leveraging your creative expertise to win new business.
• Oversee the production of various creative deliverables, ensuring quality and consistency across all channels to uphold our agency's reputation for excellence.

About you:

Experience + Tools:

• You have experiencing facilitating cross-functional collaboration to craft on-brief, emotionally resonant creative concepts - considering art, copy and tonal expression - that can scale across content and media types.
• You possess a mastery of design principles and a deep passion for creating visually stunning experiences across digital and print platforms.
• Your online portfolio reflects your extensive design experience and technical proficiency, showcasing your ability to deliver exceptional creative solutions.
• You have 4-6 years of experience and formal training in art direction or design.
• You demonstrate advanced proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Figma and Adobe CC software (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), enabling you to bring your creative vision to life with precision and efficiency.
• Traits + Attitude:
• You have a thirst for knowledge and actively seek opportunities to enhance your skills while sharing key learnings with your team.
• Candid feedback fuels your drive for professional growth, and you welcome it as a valuable tool for improvement.
• As a self-motivated individual with high standards and ambitions, you excel in defending creative decisions and effectively communicating your ideas to colleagues and clients alike.
• You possess a keen eye for conceptual excellence and understand the power of storytelling in design.
• You are eager to contribute to a collaborative team culture that prioritizes excellence over ego, values diverse perspectives, and fosters a supportive work environment.

Bonus:

• You can create impactful PowerPoint templates and custom decks that elevate both internal and client presentations.
• You possess illustration skills and have experience crafting custom illustrations for brands.

#LI-Hybrid