Art Director/Design Manager

Reports to: Executive Director of Creative Services

Job Overview: As the Art Director/Design Manager, you will be responsible for managing, supervising, and assigning work to the Design & Web Development teams (Design), as well as shaping the Art Direction for FPW Media and their clients. As Art Director you will be tasked with concepting, designing, and leading special projects as well as developing, implementing, inspiring, and ensuring creative designs and projects for FPW’s clients that are in line with FPW standards, client expectations, and the design strategy. As the leader of the Design Team, you will be charged with developing and managing timelines, overseeing all Design & Web Development project milestones and quality issues, and ensuring a healthy and productive workplace culture including mentoring members of the design team. You will work closely with the Executive Director of Creative Services, the Creative Director, and the Account Management (AM) team to ensure compliance with FPW’s design strategy and the client’s needs. You will also work closely with the rest of the departments inside of Creative Services including Films & Digital to ensure all aspects of the brands we represent are uniform. The Art Director/Design Manager will work to create, implement, and enforce policies & procedures to increase the efficiency & profitability of the Design Department.

FLSA Status/Appointment: This is a full-time, exempt position.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Manage and supervise a team
• Manage, oversee, and develop a team of contractors

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Manage, supervise, and lead the Design team in a manner that ensures a productive and healthy workplace – promoting employee retention, accountability and professional growth.
• Delegate work to Design Team members on a daily basis – tracking capacity and providing support and accountability for timelines and projects as necessary.
• Manage, and resolve personnel issues within the team or between the team and key partners – such as the production or AM teams.
• Ensure that Design & Web Development projects are completed per FPW policies, the project specifications, and the client’s needs.
• Produce fresh, innovative work that translates complex ideas into compelling print materials and digital experiences for visually sophisticated audiences that is competitive on a national scale.
• Present, or oversee the presentation of final concepts, and obtain approvals for deliverables from both internal and client stakeholders.
• Manage the creative process from concept to completion while achieving an optimal balance between the speed and quality of work being produced.
• As necessary, engage in client development best practices, including clear, consistent, and timely client communications, relationship building, demonstrated expertise, and anticipating client needs.
• In collaboration with the Creative Director, Executive Director of Creative Services, and CEO provide creative direction to the Design team.
• Meet regularly and maintain a productive relationship with the Creative Director, Production team and AM team members to discuss shared processes and projects, ensuring that the Design team is working collaboratively and communicating regularly with these key stakeholders.
• Deliver high-quality products on time and within budget – ensuring projects are on schedule and budget at all times.
• Identify best practices for the Design Team and evolve daily operations as necessary
• Participate in the deployment of area strategic plans, goals, and objectives ensuring alignment with those of the Design division and company.
• Provide the Executive Director of Creative Services with informal portfolio feedback on an ongoing basis and formal portfolio feedback through the annual performance evaluation process to identify and develop talent.
• Participate in the implementation of divisional and company initiatives and strategies.
• Ensure and promote the development of the area management team/succession planning through coaching, training, and leadership development.
• Ensure a strong and robust communications process between all managers of creative services as needed by leading communications sessions and meetings with managers to ensure the appropriate dissemination of communications to support staff.
• Implement business initiatives including prompt corrective action plans for the division.
• Ensure Design team members receive the appropriate training and education.
• Administrative duties (i.e. time sheet review, project time allowables/budgets, paperwork)
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Expectations

• Management Skills: the ability to lead, supervise, support, and hold accountable Design Team members. Exercise discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance for the company.
• Time Management Skills: utilize excellent time management and project management skills to consistently meet deadlines, prioritize tasks appropriately, and delegate when appropriate. Must be able to multitask – demonstrating the ability to manage numerous projects simultaneously and meet deadlines
• Problem-solving skills: Must display the ability to effectively prioritize workload on multiple projects simultaneously and accept changes with short notice and tolerate frequent interruptions.
• Critical thinking skills: must display strong critical thinking, organizational, and analytical capabilities when interacting with clients, direct reports, managers, peers and stakeholders.
• Communication skills: must be able to listen carefully to accurately gather facts and figures from clients, managers, peers, and stakeholders. Must also be able to clearly articulate the results of your work and present their findings in written reports. Must be able to organize, facilitate and collaborate within cross-functional teams – demonstrating a collaborative mindset and ability to work with varying and changing needs
• Attention to detail: must pay strong attention to detail in order to be able to keep information accurate and organized while utilizing skills and knowledge to quickly learn about the project.
• Business acumen: must understand the basic functions of a business in order to accurately analyze and interpret client requests and to create efficient and growth-minded processes.
• Computer literacy: need to be able to use computer-based tools to work effectively. Proficient with Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Google Suites or related software.
• Report to and work with the Executive Director of Creative Services on day-to-day operations of the Design & Web Development departments.
• Autonomy: Must have the ability to perform duties independently and autonomously with limited direction.

Leadership Expectations

This position is responsible for several direct reports.

• Successfully maintain a high level of confidentiality at all times – understanding that sensitive personnel issues should only be shared on a need-to-know basis.
• Utilize strong supervisory and leadership skills to set clear expectations with stakeholders, peers, and direct reports.
• Set appropriate and professional boundaries with direct reports – ensuring fair and consistent treatment across the team.
• Model and ensure compliance with FPW policies, the employee handbook, and other best practices.
• Contribute to the overall effectiveness of the team; act as a supervisor and leader to foster career growth.
• Hire and train Design & Web Development team members
• Organize and track schedules, and performance of Design & Web Development Team members
• Manage disciplinary actions for the Design & Web Development team in accordance with company policy and procedures.
• Ensure team complies with established proficiencies in industry best practices and/or technical certifications as required.
• Contribute to, develop, and/or present new or modified policies and procedures that will accelerate FPW’s structured growth.
• Collaborate with cross-departmental leadership to foster positive and productive internal relationships.

Skills and Qualifications

• 7+ years of related experience in a design environment
• 2+ years of management experience
• Experience with design, web design, and copywriting.
• Understanding and past experience with offline media and print productions
• Proven experience with concept development
• Highly skilled in directing a team of creative talent
• Strong creative vision with an understanding of business objectives

Minimum Physical Requirements:

• Ability to operate, carry, lift, and move equipment (up to 25 lbs)
• Ability to work long hours and unpredictable hours
• Reliable and predictable attendance
• Ability to work weekends and potentially holidays as required
• Ability to sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to type and use a computer independently.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits:

Health & Vision Insurance | Your health is important to us. We fully cover health and vision insurance for all full-time employees, with the option to add family members.

Paid Time Off | When you work so hard, you deserve a break! We offer Paid Time Off to all full-time employees.

401K | We offer our team members the opportunity to establish a 401K with matching.

Professional Development Opportunities | We value lifelong learning. We provide our employees with unlimited access to Udemy courses and weekly paid time to study whatever they want.

Growth Opportunities | We are a rapidly growing company and we like to promote from within. We’re a great place to gain experience and develop new skills that will help you advance in your career!

FPW Media