Senior Creative Lead Job at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in Charlotte

Since its founding in 1937, Krispy Kreme’s focus has remained the same - making fresh doughnuts using our founder’s original recipe. The brand’s iconic Hot Light lets consumers know when doughnuts are being made in the shop so they can stop in and enjoy them hot, right off the line.

Krispy Kreme’s Senior Creative Lead will be a part of our US Marketing leadership team, lead our team of designers and oversee all aspects of creative operations. This role is a unique blend of strategic vision, operational leadership, and hands-on design expertise. The ideal candidate will inspire creativity, streamline workflows, and produce exceptional creative deliverables that align with our brand identity and guidelines.

A TASTE OF WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:

Creative Leadership & Design Execution:

1. Lead the vision for brand and product campaigns, projects, and guiding design principles.
2. Ensure all creative outputs are consistently on-brand and align with established guidelines. Push creative boundaries while maintaining brand integrity.
3. Ability to lead concepts, pitch, and execution of strategic brand and LTO creative campaigns.
4. Maintain high creative standards, consistently helping the team to deliver quality solutions. Develop and maintain a consistent brand identity across all design materials, ensuring that our brand message is effectively communicated to our target audience.
5. Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Brand, DFD, and Digital to understand project requirements and develop design solutions that align with the company's brand guidelines and objectives.
6. Provide strong problem-solving and design expertise across diverse media: print, video, digital, social packaging.
7. Lead creative meetings and effectively present materials to internal and external stakeholders.
8. Lead and plan photo shoots to achieve brand and business objectives. Comfortable directing the team to bring the creative vision to life during the shoot, overseeing all aspects from lighting to talent direction. Ability to edit and manage the post-shoot creative process – reviewing footage, selecting best shots and ensuring final product aligns with objectives and briefs.
9. Closely monitor agency output and provide creative feedback and direction.

Creative Process & Workflow Management:

1. Lead the creative team's workflow by managing resources, timelines, and budgets to ensure smooth operations.
2. Drive efficient project delivery across diverse channels and formats, meeting deadlines and quality standards.
3. Continuously develop and refine processes to enhance team productivity and elevate creative output.
4. Strategically prioritize projects, ensuring the team focuses on high-impact initiatives that align with business goals.
5. Maintain a business-oriented mindset, making decisions that optimize budget efficiency and deliver measurable results.

Team Leadership & Development:

1. Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing creative team.
2. Provide constructive feedback, coaching, and guidance to develop team members’ skills.
3. Foster a collaborative and innovative team culture.
4. Build strong cross-functional relationships.

YOUR RECIPE FOR SUCCESS:

1. Bachelor’s degree in graphic/digital design or related field preferred.
2. 10+ years of graphic/digital design experience in a fast-paced environment, 3+ years leadership experience.
3. Highly creative with an extremely sharp eye for detail.
4. Proficient in Adobe Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and presentation tools.
5. Experience with print (signage, POP, packaging) and digital formats (web, email, app, social, display).
6. Skilled in conceptual and visual storytelling.
7. Strong time management, self-direction, and ability to handle multiple projects.
8. Open to feedback with a balance of defending ideas and implementing solutions.
9. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire others.
10. Thrives under tight deadlines in high-pressure environments.
11. Highly organized, proactive, and results driven.
12. Agency management experience.
13. Strong communicator and stakeholder management experience. Ability to communicate with multiple business teams.

BENEFITS:

• Comprehensive benefits (medical, vision, and dental insurance)
• Employee discount program
• 401K plan
• PTO and “dream” days
• Company events
• Education Reimbursement
• Adoption Assistance
• Life Insurance
• FSA/HSA Plans
• Pet Insurance

Learn more at www.kkbenefits.com