Job Description

Location: Atlanta, GeorgiaJob Type: PermanentCompensation Range: $150,000 - 200,000 per yearWe are seeking a highly experienced and visionary Strategic Creative Director to join our team. This pivotal role will be instrumental in shaping and scaling our creative output, balancing innovative design with robust business acumen. You will be a key leader in guiding a team of talented designers and managing a dynamic portfolio of projects, from initial concept through to implementation.Responsibilities:Strategically design and scale the creative team, leveraging a network of contract and freelance talent.Collaborate with leadership to ensure project effectiveness and meet financial targets.Lead, mentor, and manage the creative team, overseeing project delivery and fostering client satisfaction. This includes leading creative exercises, guiding creative direction for new business opportunities, and developing strong presentation skills within the team.Establish accountability for the team, balancing creative needs with project budgets, timelines, and overall expectations.Clearly communicate and execute strategic creative direction on diverse projects.Hold the team accountable, providing timely and actionable feedback.Inspire the team through training, speakers, and case studies.Undertake limited travel for presentations and design meetings. Qualifications:Experience in 3D, Spaces, Storytelling, and Branding: Proven background in designing and executing projects for permanent and semi-permanent spaces, pop-up events, and high-end set design.Creative Team Leadership and Management:7-10 years of professional experience with at least 5 years managing creative teams.Demonstrated ability to manage the ebb and flow of vendor and agency relationships, ideally with an existing network of agency support to contribute to RFP responses.Experience coaching and mentoring creative teams, acting more as a design director than a hands-on player (approximately 75% coaching/resource management, 25% hands-on work initially, evolving to 75% coaching).A track record of successfully leading creative teams to meet both creative and financial metrics.Comfortable with a team of 5 in-house designers, with the ability to manage outsourced skill sets (3D model making, CAD work, production art building).Business Acumen and Resource Management:Strong ability to balance creative needs with project budgets, margins, timelines, and overall client expectations.Demonstrated success in budgeting and feasibility assessment, managing projects ranging from $50k to $3M.Experience with resource management across approximately 50 active projects at any given time, tracking design elements as they move into implementation (prototypes, colors, branding).Ability to estimate and manage outsourced creative resources (averaging $20k-$30k per month).Understanding of offshore resourcing.Industry Experience: Preference for candidates with experience in high-end events, pop-ups, set design, retail design, and customer journey mapping. Portfolios demonstrating this range are highly valued.Ideation and Communication:Strong ideation skills (sketching, mood boards, storyboards, etc.) with the ability to visually communicate ideas effectively.Advanced communication skills, both verbal and written, are paramount for clearly communicating strategic creative direction and presenting work.Ability to develop a team's presentation skills to uniquely present work and win new business.Tactile Experience: Background in visual merchandising and/or set design, with the ability to manifest design ideas in a tactile nature with an "outside the box" approach.Problem-Solving and Accountability: A portfolio that clearly demonstrates creative problem-solving. Ability to hold teams accountable and provide timely, actionable feedback.Strategic Thinking/Consulting: Advanced strategic thinking skills are essential.Portfolio: A strong and diverse portfolio showcasing relevant experience is critical.Responsibilities:Design and plan the creative team for optimal scalability, leveraging your network of contract and freelance resources.Collaborate with the Senior VP of Client Experience to ensure project effectiveness and meet margin targets.Lead, mentor, and manage the creative team to ensure successful project delivery and client satisfaction.Lead creative exercises and provide creative direction on business development opportunities (RFPs, spec-work).Develop the team's presentation skills to effectively showcase our work and secure new business.Establish accountability for the team, balancing creative demands with project budget, timeline, and client expectation management.Clearly communicate and deliver on strategic creative direction across various projects.Inspire the team through training, inspirational speakers, and case studies.Undertake limited travel as required for presentations and design meetings.Required Qualifications:Undergraduate degree in an art-related field or equivalent visual design experience.A portfolio that demonstrates your ability to solve problems creatively across various mediums.7 to 10 years of professional experience with 5+ years managing creative teams.Ability to sketch and visually communicate ideas effectively.Intermediate graphic design skills; advanced leadership graphic design skills.Background in visual merchandising and/or set design.Advanced strategic thinking/consulting capabilities.Demonstrated success in budgeting and feasibility assessment.Basic understanding of UI/UX design.Self-starter/driven individual.Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:Ability to evaluate, critique, and make sound judgment calls on design.Advanced communication skills, both verbally and in writing, are a top priority.Ability to work effectively and efficiently towards goals in a complex, diverse environment that requires adaptability to changing demands.Ability to manifest design ideas in a tactile nature with an "outside the box" approach.Proven ability to successfully lead creative teams to hit creative and financial metrics.Skills: Creative DirectorResource ManagementExperience designing permanent and semi permanent spaces.Benefits offerings:Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance401(k) BenefitsDisability BenefitsPaid Time Off (PTO)JOBID: 1092099#LI-CELLA#LI-KF1#PLEqual Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.At Cella, a randstad digital company, we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact HRsupport@randstadusa.com.Pay offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc. In addition, Cella by randstad digital offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: medical, prescription, dental, vision, AD&D, and life insurance offerings, short-term disability, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility). This posting is open for thirty (30) days.PandoLogic. Category:Marketing & Biz Dev, Keywords:Creative Director, Location:Atlanta, GA-30303

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