Creative Director

NYC (or nearby) Candidates ONLY!

Ever wonder who makes the really awesome branded merchandise you see at Chick-Fil-A, Sephora, Spotify, Nike, Carnival or In-N-Out? Welcome, we are Harper+Scott, and we are looking for our next kick ass Creative Director!

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Creative Director is passionate about leading and mentoring a team of creatives who are helping clients take their ideas from concept to product, pushing new creative boundaries. We are a young company (founded in 2014) at a pivotal point of growth looking for a multi-disciplinary designer and visionary to join our creative studio. You will help conceptualize and design trend-inspired products for a wide variety of clients. You would be equally excited about developing incredible work as you would leading a team and shepherding the Harper + Scott brand and its creative integrity.  

On any given day you will work with a larger team (about 16 creatives) to think through and design unique and interesting products that can be customized to fit the needs of the client. You will help choose and design materials, create graphic artwork or a textile pattern, develop tech specs, review samples, and communicate with our client and help direct our overseas production team. 

This is an all-encompassing opportunity with wide exposure to the production process as well as some of the top brands in the world. We are looking for someone hungry to take the next step in their career to be the creative leader of an incredibly talented 2D and 3D design team. You must be excited to learn, passionate about making beautiful things, and be amped by the opportunity to keep moving our company forward. 

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:

• Lead a team of designers; mentoring, inspiring and growing direct reports
• Oversee execution of your team’s creative concepts, ensuring the highest quality creative output delivered within deadline and on budget
• Responsible for upholding design integrity, high quality execution, and timelines throughout the entire developmental process from concept through production
• Help your team develop a clear creative vision for each project proposal and clearly communicate about and advocate for their vision internally and with clients
• Create a positive, collaborative, supportive culture by being solution oriented, and encouraging accountability and respect
• Manage various creative channels including client work, product development and internal marketing initiatives

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE:

• BFA or higher in Graphic Design, Packaging Design or Industrial Design
• 7-10 years of work experience in product, packaging, or accessories design with agency experience preferred
• A demonstrable understanding of graphic design and 3D forms/consumer goods
• Experience developing graphics for apparel and/or home goods
• Critical thinking skills with the ability to persuasively critique design
• Innate interest and curiosity for a wide range of client sectors, including fashion, beauty, spirits, tech, media, luxury brands and more, with a nuanced understanding or desire to figure out how to differentiate each 
• A lofty design aesthetic with the ability to translate it for mass appeal
• Fast, but thorough learner who addresses every task with the same amount of care
• Detail oriented with strong follow through – able to work quickly and creatively on multiple projects with short timelines 
• Ability to manage, delegate, and advocate for a team of designers of varying levels of experience
• Ability to manage several projects at various stages of the production process all under aggressive timelines
• Hyper-aware of trends, and pop culture

REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• Highly proficient in both 2D and 3D design software
• Highly proficient in Photoshop (to render photo-realistic representation of products)
• Highly proficient in Illustrator (to generate tech packs for small leather goods, bags, apparel and other accessories as well as packaging specs)
• Proficiency in InDesign (to pull together presentations)
• Illustrative Skills (to generate graphic artwork for fashion apparel, accessories, lifestyle items, home goods or stationery)
• Extensive experience in project management

NOW FOR THE PERKS:

Competitive salary, Health Benefits (Medical + Dental + Vision), 401K, Commuter Benefits, Unlimited office snacks, Generous Vacation Schedule + PTO 

*NOTE: the agency’s staff is currently working in a hybrid model, so there is an expectation for some in-office presence for key meetings and ongoing team-building. Although not currently common, there is also the possibility for travel to meet with clients as needed. Looking ahead, you would need to be comfortable with the idea that more in-office work would be expected, especially if you feel it would bring greater results for the team. 

Harper + Scott