Art Director

The Art Director works within the Brand team to lead conceptual and stylistic direction for all components of the JD Sports brand identity. Collaborating with creative leadership, the Art Director establishes and elevates the brand through concept and creation of content (photography and video) to lead retail campaigns and cross channel programs. They will lead the design team to execute weekly retail and cross-channel marketing initiatives to meet revenue targets. The Art Director envisions brand solutions, and solves visual problems to create high impact designs for company campaigns, consumer publications, logos and more.

The Art Director also manages and orchestrates the design direction of design staff, photographers, videographers and anyone who is involved in the development of design project, as well as, art directing day-to-day creation of JD Sports design projects. This individual will effectively exhibit JD Finish Line’s core values of Customer, People, Winning, Community, and Financial Responsibility in everything they do by performing the following main duties:

• Be a steward of the JD brand tone and image–helping define, concept, and deliver creative through elevation and consistency.
• Concept, capture and creation cross channel campaigns, everything from digital media to retail experience.
• Assist the Creative Director in the art direction of all JD Sports design projects.
• Work with internal and external designers in developing initial concepts and participates in design work when appropriate.
• Formulate creative objectives for fresh concepts for each new season to assure consumer excitement and meet company business goals.
• Collaborates with brand and creative team to evolve overall company brand and design.
• Collaborate with internal and external creation partners to create best in class creative expressions.
• Leads and mentors a creative team of up to 4 people.
• Prioritizes design schedules to design team.
• Conducts and ensures the completion of performance reviews for Graphic Designers
• Recognize, maintain and execute to the established brand tone, style and voice of all content.
• Update messaging tone and style of existing messaging to new standards.
• Additional duties and projects as required.

Required Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in Design, Marketing, or Advertising from a four-year college or university, or equivalent work experience. At least 5 years as a creative in the design/advertising field and 3 years of art direction and managing designers, budgets and outside vendors. Internal JD Finish Line experience strongly preferred.

Required Computer and/or Technical Skills

Expert knowledge of Adobe CS. Should have strong knowledge and abilities with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sit for more than 6 hours per shift
• Use hands to finger, handle and feel
• Reach with hands and arms
• Talk and/or hear
• Stand for up to 8 hours at a time periodically
• Walk or move from one location to another
• Occasionally may need to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch
• Lift and/or move up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 25 pounds occasionally
• Punctuality and regular attendance consistent with the company’s policies are required for the position.
• Average work week is 40-50 hours, which can vary depending on business need.
• The work environment for this position is a moderately noisy office setting
• With 25% time spent traveling (by air or land).

JD Finish Line