Plan B®

ART DIRECTOR

We’re looking for ‘conceptual’ thinkers. Art Directors that have a passion and talent to develop advertising campaign/brand ideas that can span across a brand marketing ecosystem including traditional and digital mediums. Visually design and develop these ideas by creating mockups, storyboards, presentations, and taking work from ideation to project completion. 

Supercharge your career in a dynamic urban setting at a thriving independent ad agency known for high-powered thinking and award-winning creative. 

Our recently renovated loft space is a highly collaborative work environment in the heart of Chicago’s buzzing River North entertainment district. Surrounded by dining, shopping, and easy transit…enjoy urban working at its finest. Brainstorm with colleagues at an outdoor lunch cafe or mull over your strategic approach to user-centric web design over an afternoon latte. Renew your professional passions for stunning graphic design, clean typography, and dynamic visual artistry as part of our ‘exceptional’ agency culture –– one that proudly rewards hustle, guts, and instinct.  

You’ll be teaming up with savvy marketing specialists and gifted creative minds as you tackle design assignments of all types –– brand development, ad campaigns, digital and UX design, social media marketing, direct response…even video, and more. Enjoy the motivating ambience of our open-concept floor plan as you help us design and build highly strategic marketing programs for our growing roster of on-demand clients. 

BRING YOUR ‘A GAME’ TO PLAN B

We’re a fast-flying, full-service ad agency seeking exceptionally talented art directors and total team players to help our clients take on the world. If you fancy yourself a visual problem solver who can concept in any medium, or a multi-disciplinary design maven who can art direct the printed page in InDesign as skillfully as a web page in Sketch…we’d love to get to know you. 

Do you thrive on variety? No two weeks are ever the same here. Whether it’s a :06 pre-roll video or TikTok-inspired digital campaign, a mobile-first landing page promoting a hybrid supercar, dimensional mailer celebrating the important work of health care workers, an average month here is sure to bend your brain in many directions at once. So limber up and let’s do this! 

As Art Director, you’ll be counted on as a strategic-thinking member of the creative team. Here’s a taste of what awaits.

This Art Director role is primarily an on-site position at our Chicago River North location. Regularly attending work in-person (5 days a week, M-F) is essential for the success of the company, our clients, and the entire Plan B team.

We are officially a B Corp! (see: https://www.thisisplanb.com/sustainability/)

We recognize the critical difference today’s companies can (and must) make with regard to corporate responsibility and environmental sustainability. The values of conservation and efficiency have long been core to Plan B’s cultural and operational foundation, and are even more of a priority today in light of how much our world is changing.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design mobile-first digital experiences, including websites, landing pages, emails, e-newsletters, microsites, digital display ads
• Design more traditional media including, but not limited to: print ads, brochures, booklets, fliers, TV commercials, billboards, and more – according to strategic plans provided by the account executive, and by assignment from the creative director.
• Meet with client service team members and interactive marketing personnel to ensure coordination between traditional and interactive advertising and marketing efforts.
• Provide sound visual concept solutions that specifically solve business problems.
• Work with the development team to understand the opportunities and limitations of the digital solutions proposed and produced by the creative department. 
• Collaborate with other art directors, copywriters and additional designated “team” personnel in production of creative materials.
• Collaborate with account and creative leads in selection of design elements (papers, vendors, models, freelancers, talent, and outside sources) needed to fulfill production.
• Meet assigned deadlines with a smile
• Maintain strong working knowledge of computer design software and hardware, striving to stay current in level of knowledge and abilities. 
• Work to remain current with trends in the digital art direction space, from new methodologies and tools to best practices. 
• Work with production personnel (digital, print, and/or video), providing complete input and instruction/supervision to smoothly complete production of approved design. 
• Review all production materials on assigned projects and sign off prior to final production
• Assist with new business presentations as requested by the agency marketing director/creative director/production manager.
• Keep senior art director/creative director informed of need to upgrade design-related computer hardware/software

REQUIREMENTS

·     A passion for exceptional ideas and an almost-annoying commitment to quality

·     A killer design portfolio 

·     Minimum 4+ years of graphic design experience art direction role

·     Strong analytical ability and strategic thinking skills

·     Willing to share your point of view (with written & verbal communication skills to back it up)

·     Appetite for problem solving and love for fast-paced environments

·     Experience working on/managing various creative campaigns in parallel

• LOCAL CANDIDATES ONLY. Talented and motivated Art Directors in the Chicago area who meet the above requirements, and who have the work to back up their candidacy, should send a brief cover note, resume and portfolio to [email protected].

Plan B®

GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR – COPY-SIDE

WE WANT YOU … TO WANT US

This is no Cheap Trick: Plan B is on the hunt for a dynamic, rockstar creative leader with serious copywriting chops to help our inclusive, equitable, and sustainability-minded agency soar to even greater heights – and our talented band of creatives wants you … to want us.

SEE our ‘We Want You… to Want Us’ VIDEO:

WE WANT YOUR LEADERSHIP. The Group Creative Director (Copy) is responsible for the overall supervision of the agency’s creative department and product, both design and copy, but with an emphasis on the quality of the copy.

WE WANT YOUR STRATEGIC & CREATIVE VISION. The Group Creative Director (Copy) interfaces with the client, account teams, creative department, production department, and management team, and is responsible for taking strategic marketing plans and interpreting them into “big ideas” with a unique point of view.

WE WANT YOUR SAVVY MANAGEMENT SKILLS. The Group Creative Director (Copy) advises the Creative Directors regarding which creative team members to assign to which creative assignments. He/she works closely with creative staff to ensure quality results, fostering professional growth while working to bring everyone’s work to the highest standard possible.

WE WANT YOUR EYE FOR DETAIL. The Group Creative Director (Copy) ultimately approves all work before presentation to the client, reviewing it with account leaders and taking their requests into consideration. Most of all, the Group Creative Director (Copy) recognizes the importance of the creative product with regard to the future success of the agency and is a steward of excellence behind all work the agency produces.

WE WANT YOU … TO APPLY NOW!

 CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Directs the creative product, striving for excellence from concept to completion of every project.
• Provides insightful, groundbreaking, and/or original creative concepts as required for specific assignments.
• Produces director-level copy across client accounts as needed.
• Collaborates with account group to joint estimate projects, assign resources, and define scope/schedule.
• Works closely with account teams to solve marketing problems through smart advertising and best practices.
• Manages Creative department, Creative Directors, Creative Production Services and Freelance resources.
• Confirms delivery schedules with account teams and oversees assignment of jobs to creative team members.
• Oversees creative solutions produced by team and offers valuable input to elevate quality of creative product.
• Serves as client-facing representative of the agency and effectively “sells” creative at client presentations.
• Responsible for the selection and management of freelance services.
• Assists in screening and interviewing applicants for creative positions, hiring and terminating to ensure creative department is appropriately staffed.
• Actively promotes the agency’s growth and exposure via new business pitches, self-promotional efforts, and RFP response/proposal development.
• Maintains current working knowledge of computer-related skills, software, and programs to ensure entire creative department and staff remain on the leading edge of essential technology and skills.
• Makes recommendations to ensure profitability for the agency.
• Recommends hardware and software purchases to keep department current and efficient.
• Supports agency operations as a senior member of the agency’s management team.

WHY PLAN B?

Plan B is never boring. We’ve managed to maintain a flat organizational structure, an agile development style and the entrepreneurial spirit of a start-up, even after 20 years in business. We work with both Fortune 500 companies and the innovative startups who move culture forward – so the work is rewarding, relevant and dialed into the exciting ambience of our connected world.

As a highly strategic creative boutique, we understand how game-changing, category-killing creative work emerges from powerful insights that are properly driven through complex multi-channel executions.

• Highly-Competitive Salary
• Equity/Profit-Sharing Program
• 401K
• Liberal PTO Program (including summer hours)
• Continuing Education Support Opportunities
• Full Health Benefits
• Limited Matching Contributions to Any Non-profit of Your Choice
• Decent coffee
• Smart, fun, passionate, ass-busting colleagues
• We don’t do weekends (or many late nights)
• Etc.

We also recognize the critical difference today’s companies can (and must) make with regard to corporate responsibility and environmental sustainability. The values of conservation and efficiency have long been core to Plan B’s cultural and operational foundation, and are even more of a priority today in light of how much our world is changing.

In partnership, we work best with clients and vendors who share our passion for protecting the planet – companies whose operational and cultural priorities have shifted toward placing less value on GDP, and more value on GDH.

In practice, we are habitually seeking ways to do more with less, to reduce unnecessary waste and emissions, and to eagerly assist clients looking to promote their efforts to be responsible global citizens.

Plan B doesn’t discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

APPLY TODAY

Please send a short cover letter, link to your portfolio and attached resume to [email protected]

Local Chicago candidates only.

IF YOU ROCK, HERE’S HOW WE’LL ROLL …

 You made the first cut! Now what?*

1. First, we’ll email you a few additional qualifying questions (there are no wrong/right answers)

2. Next, we’ll schedule you for a 30-minute Google Meet video call with some of our team

3. If we think you’re the jam, we’ll have you take an online personality test (just to make sure you’re weird enough): https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/rheti?gclid=CjwKCAjwi8iXBhBeEiwAKbUofbtVQxNMOns5Ekt2l02MwwHk7O1cCwaib-2XlYPTDxD9yUx88bh44hoC3h0QAvD_BwE

4. And finally, an in-person interview with the Creative Team at the Plan B HQ, 116 W. Illinois St. #3W, Chicago (please be prepared to present a work case study)

Plan B®

GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR – ART & DESIGN (Ad Agency)

WE WANT YOU … TO WANT US

This is no Cheap Trick: Plan B is on the hunt for a dynamic, rockstar creative leader with serious art, design, and conceptual chops to help our inclusive, equitable, and sustainability-minded agency soar to even greater heights — and our talented band of creatives wants you … to want us.

See:

WE WANT YOUR LEADERSHIP. The Group Creative Director (Art & Design) is responsible for the overall supervision of the agency’s creative department and product – both design and copy, but with an emphasis on the quality of the design.

WE WANT YOUR STRATEGIC & CREATIVE VISION. The Group Creative Director (Art & Design) interfaces with the client, account teams, creative department, production department, and management team, and is responsible for taking strategic marketing plans and interpreting them into “big ideas” with a unique point of view.

WE WANT YOUR SAVVY MANAGEMENT SKILLS. The Group Creative Director (Art & Design) advises the Creative Directors regarding which creative team members to assign to which creative assignments. He/she works closely with creative staff to ensure quality results, fostering professional growth while working to bring everyone’s work to the highest standard possible.

WE WANT YOUR EYE FOR DETAIL. The Group Creative Director (Art & Design) ultimately approves all work before presentation to the client, reviewing it with account leaders and taking their requests into consideration. Most of all, the Group Creative Director (Art & Design) recognizes the importance of the creative product with regard to the future success of the agency and is a steward of excellence behind all work the agency produces.

This Group Creative Director (Art & Design) role is primarily an on-site position at our Chicago River North location. Regularly attending work in-person (5 days a week, M-F) is essential for the success of the company, our clients, and the entire Plan B team.

WE WANT YOU … TO APPLY NOW!

CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Directs the creative product, striving for excellence from concept to completion of every project.
• Provides insightful, groundbreaking, and/or original creative concepts as required for specific assignments.
• Produces director-level art direction and design for mobile-first digital experiences, including websites, landing pages, emails, e-newsletters, microsites, and digital display ads across client accounts as needed.
• Collaborates with account group to joint estimate projects, assign resources, and define scope/schedule.
• Works closely with account teams to solve marketing problems through smart advertising and best practices.
• Manages Creative department, Creative Directors, Creative Production Services, and Freelance resources.
• Confirms delivery schedules with account teams and oversees assignment of jobs to creative team members.
• Oversees creative solutions produced by team and offers valuable input to elevate quality of creative product.
• Serves as client-facing representative of the agency and effectively “sells” creative at client presentations.
• Responsible for the selection and management of freelance services.
• Assists in screening and interviewing applicants for creative positions, hiring and terminating to ensure creative department is appropriately staffed.
• Actively promotes the agency’s growth and exposure via new business pitches, self-promotional efforts, and RFP response/proposal development.
• Maintains current working knowledge of computer-related skills, software, and programs to ensure entire creative department and staff remain on the leading edge of essential technology and skills.
• Makes recommendations to ensure profitability for the agency.
• Recommends hardware and software purchases to keep department current and efficient.
• Supports agency operations as a senior member of the agency’s management team.

WHY PLAN B?

Plan B is never boring. We’ve managed to maintain a flat organizational structure, an agile development style and the entrepreneurial spirit of a start-up, even after 20 years in business. We work with both Fortune 500 companies and the innovative startups who move culture forward – so the work is rewarding, relevant and dialed into the exciting ambience of our connected world.

As a highly strategic creative boutique, we understand how game-changing, category-killing creative work emerges from powerful insights that are properly driven through complex multi-channel executions.

• Highly-Competitive Salary
• Equity/Profit-Sharing Program
• 401K
• Liberal PTO Program (including summer hours)
• Continuing Education Support Opportunities
• Full Health Benefits
• Limited Matching Contributions to Any Non-profit of Your Choice
• Decent coffee
• Smart, fun, passionate, ass-busting colleagues
• We don’t do weekends (or many late nights)

We also recognize the critical difference today’s companies can (and must) make with regard to corporate responsibility and environmental sustainability. The values of conservation and efficiency have long been core to Plan B’s cultural and operational foundation, and are even more of a priority today in light of how much our world is changing. In partnership, we work best with clients and vendors who share our passion for protecting the planet – companies whose operational and cultural priorities have shifted toward placing less value on GDP, and more value on GDH.

In practice, we are habitually seeking ways to do more with less, to reduce unnecessary waste and emissions, and to eagerly assist clients looking to promote their efforts to be responsible global citizens.

Plan B doesn’t discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

 DESIRED REQUIREMENTS:

• 10+ years of experience, including 3+ years of creative leadership and team management.
• Expertise with both traditional and digital tactic development and execution.
• Enough “scrappy” experience to never become paralyzed by time or budget realities that might restrict creative process. 
• A generous, collaborative spirit and a seeker of mentoring opportunities.
• A desire to innovate and help the creative team learn and grow on a professional level.
• Comfortable managing a multitude of projects simultaneously.
• A thinker, a day-dreamer, a non-traditional outlier who wants to believe in what they’re doing, who they’re doing it with, and who they’re doing it for.
• A stellar portfolio of cross-channel creative work.
• Expert working knowledge of current design tools, including Adobe Creative Suite, Premiere Pro, After Effects and WordPress.
• A desire to work onsite at our River North office.

APPLY TODAY

Please send a short cover letter, link to your portfolio and attached resume to [email protected].

Local Chicago candidates only.

IF YOU ROCK, HERE’S HOW WE’LL ROLL …

You made the first cut! Now what?*

1.   First, we’ll email you a few additional qualifying questions (there are no wrong/right answers)

2.   Next, we’ll schedule you for a 30-minute Google Meet video call with some of our team

3.   If we think you’re the jam, we’ll have you take an online personality test (just to make sure you’re weird enough)

4.   And finally, an in-person interview with the Creative Team at the Plan B HQ, 116 W. Illinois St. #3W, Chicago (please be prepared to present a work case study)

Plan B®