ITAGroup is hiring: Creative Director (Events) in West Des Moines

POSITION SUMMARY

The Creative Director, Events (CD) supports the Event Solution Line focused specifically on owning the event creative vision throughout execution by directing the creative team on the conception, design, development, and production of innovative communications campaigns for all assigned clients/programs. The CD understands the creative vision, story and scope of services that was sold and how that connects to the clients' business issues, marketing and event goals, brand positioning, and audience personas to ensure the creative strategy is carried through the event.

• Strong attention to details and the ability to think strategically about the participant's journey through the event space and their experience before, during and after the event.
• Ability to present and clearly articulate vision & strategy behind ideas to internal and external stakeholders while continuously providing information and guidance where needed to conceive and produce effective, innovative communications campaigns/projects.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple accounts, projects, and timelines while delivering one-of-a-kind experiences for Fortune 500 clients on global events and onsite experiences.
• Oversee, develop and provide guidance in the conception, design, development and production of quality, effective and innovative communications solutions for all assigned clients/programs. Design or copywriting responsibilities can range from 0-20% of the time based on the team's capacity and project requirements.
• Provide account teams with detailed creative input and rationale through the use of a creative brief, preparing convincing and quality presentation materials (comps, thumbnails, samples, etc.) and overseeing accurate and profitable budget development.
• Support event managers, coordinators, planners, and other team members to ensure that all aspects of an event are executed consistently with event's theme and overall design solution to meet the client's objectives.
• Attend client and strategy meetings as necessary to understand the client, their needs and the expectations of the communications campaign/project while providing strategic communications recommendations, ongoing research/consultation and explanation of industry best practices.
• Knowledge of emergent trends and technologies related to the event and performance world with experience conceptualizing and creating live-event environments and experiential design events including creative strategy and wayfinding plans.

HIRING REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in the areas of Graphic Design, English, Marketing, Journalism, Communications or equivalent.
• 7+ years' experience producing creative for a variety of specialty (live, digital, trans-media) engagements across industries.
• Ability to travel 25-50% of the year to meet with clients, conduct onsite inspections, oversee installations, and support/attend events.
• Ability to have a positive attitude and effect on the creative/professional staff.
• Thorough understanding of the overall creative process and techniques, including conceptualization, design, copy development, production artwork, pre-press, computer graphics, printing technologies and web/internet design/software/technologies.
• Strong creative abilities and the ability to develop innovative ideas and concepts.
• Ability to lead, motivate and supervise creative/professional individuals, leading them to a higher level of quality and creativity.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• General understanding of financial analysis and budget development.
• Solution-oriented with understanding of how to approach resolving issues.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and manage workflows and schedules of the creative/professional staff, even in the midst of stressful and difficult circumstances.
• Mac computer experience required. Software experience must include: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign.
• Ability to work the time necessary to complete projects and/or meet deadlines.
• Ability to listen, understand and respond to external and internal customers' needs in a timely manner; customer service experience in a service-related industry preferred.