Art Director

Adfero seeks a full-time Art Director to elevate Adfero’s creative approach and lead and grow our talented creative team.

About the Job

Working closely with a team of designers, you will execute creative concepts and materials to support communication strategies. You are eager to flex your conceptual thinking skills and embrace client interaction. You see the “big picture” in all creative campaigns and are a seasoned team leader that values collaboration to produce the best work.

Creative Work

In this role, you will be responsible for the strategic direction of our creative work. You will work with teams across the company to:

• Concept and execute integrated advertising, public education and issue advocacy campaigns across a wide range of media and platforms, especially social, digital, video, mobile, experiences and content.
• Manage the creative work on multiple accounts simultaneously, while providing direction to other team members as needed.
• Prepare and present client creative presentations.
• Work effectively with colleagues to complete projects within the timeframe and budget, while collaborating on creative resource allocation.

Client work will vary between trade associations, nonprofits, corporations, the federal government, as well as Adfero branded initiatives. All of this will be done in a collaborative environment working across creative, account and interactive teams.

Business Development

You will bring your experience and expertise across creative capabilities and networks and serve as a partner to practice leads on business development efforts, including:

• Identifying opportunities to improve and grow current client work.
• Actively seeking opportunities to contribute to agency growth and development, including through marketing, thought leadership and event attendance.
• Working with agency leaders to identify, pitch and secure new business opportunities.

Team Management

As the creative team leader, you will manage and mentor the team of designers, identifying opportunities to improve team performance and organization. You will help develop and grow the creative team, including managing our team of graphic designers and helping to identify and expand our creative offerings.

Additionally, you possess the ability to demonstrate leadership and an understanding of the responsibilities of executives, and can build, manage, and sustain relationships with senior leadership, acting as a collaborator and go-to leader on creative development.

Qualifications

We’re looking for someone who has:

• 10+ years of creative experience in a client-facing environment, agency experience a plus
• Bachelor’s degree or BFA in a related discipline and/or a comprehensive portfolio showcasing your expertise in design fundamentals
• Mastery of Adobe Creative Suite
• Proven conceptual and design skills, with an ability to take work from concept to final execution
• Experience maintaining client contact as needed and assisting with budget, timeline, and resource development
• Ability to prioritize, adjust and manage work, adhering to critical project timelines in a quick-turnaround environment
• Ability to design for digital and traditional media
• Proven leadership skills—from managing teams of creatives to educating and guiding account staff through creative expertise
• Excellent communication skills, with an ability to present and talk through creative offerings to internal and external audiences
• Strong organizational, planning and time-management abilities
• Proactive, positive, and a self-starter
• The ability to serve as lead designer on accounts as needed
• The ability to thrive in a collaborative environment while independently managing projects
• Initiative, with a commitment to continuous learning and improving
• Interest in and knowledge of DC public affairs and issue advocacy
• Motion design and video experience a plus
• A passion for our Core Values: Harambee. We all pull together; Learn from mistakes. Strive to improve; Be responsible for results; Respect the dignity and abilities of each individual.

Please ensure your portfolio is linked on your resume or we will be unable to consider your application.

This role is hybrid; you will be required to work on-site at Adfero’s office 3 days per week.

Adfero