Art Director

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society•Philadelphia, PA

43d•$75,000 - $85,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Art Director will be responsible for developing creative concepts and visual systems for integrated marketing campaigns from initial brief through final execution. This role involves translating campaign strategies and organizational goals into compelling visual storytelling across every channel, and designing and overseeing high-quality creative across marketing campaigns, collateral, and brand experiences. The Art Director will lead art direction for photography, video, illustration, motion graphics, and other visual storytelling, partnering with internal teams and external collaborators. Ensuring creative excellence across all deliverables, including digital advertising, social media, websites, email, print, out-of-home, environmental graphics, signage, presentations, publications, and event experiences is crucial. This role also involves helping to evolve and steward the PHS visual identity, ensuring consistency while thoughtfully expanding the brand across new initiatives, and maintaining exceptional attention to typography, composition, accessibility, and overall design quality.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Multimedia, or similar
5-7 years of progressive design experience in branding, advertising, or creative agencies, including experience leading integrated campaigns and managing creative teams.
Strong conceptual thinking with the ability to develop creative ideas from insight through execution.
Deep understanding of integrated marketing campaigns across digital, print, social, experiential, and out-of-home channels.
Proficient in industry-standard creative software, such as Adobe CS (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), Figma, Canva.
Strong awareness of contemporary design, visual culture, and emerging creative trends, with excellent judgment about what is appropriate for the PHS brand.
Experience working on print projects and preparing clean, production-ready print files, with proficiency and a solid understanding of pre-press best practices.
Experience working on digital projects from conception to launch, this may include websites, apps, etc.
Strong sense of typography and design, especially within editorial and wayfinding contexts.
Ability to art direct designers, photographers, videographers, illustrators, and other creative partners.
Experience presenting creative work and articulating design decisions to non-design audiences.
Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Organized, deadline-oriented, and able to manage budgets.
Ability to work independently, as a team member and team leader.
Commitment to the mission of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and PHS Values.
Strong portfolio demonstrating conceptual thinking, exceptional craft, and integrated campaign work across print and digital media.

Nice To Haves

Custom illustration
Video, photography, or motion graphics experience
Event experience a plus

Responsibilities

Develop creative concepts and visual systems for integrated marketing campaigns from initial brief through final execution.
Translate campaign strategies and organizational goals into compelling visual storytelling across every channel.
Design and oversee high-quality creative across marketing campaigns, collateral, and brand experiences.
Lead art direction for photography, video, illustration, motion graphics, and other visual storytelling, partnering with internal teams and external collaborators.
Ensure creative excellence across all deliverables, including digital advertising, social media, websites, email, print, out-of-home, environmental graphics, signage, presentations, publications, and event experiences.
Help evolve and steward the PHS visual identity, ensuring consistency while thoughtfully expanding the brand across new initiatives.
Maintain exceptional attention to typography, composition, accessibility, and overall design quality.
Conduct design review and status meetings, mentor direct reports, perform regular check-ins and yearly performance reviews.
Provide thoughtful creative direction and constructive feedback that elevates the work of designers, photographers, videographers, and freelancers.
Manage and balance two work pipelines: Internal creative requests from across the organization and Marketing content, social, and campaigns.
Partner closely with Marketing, Communications, Development, Programs, Events, and external agencies or vendors to develop effective creative solutions.
Present work confidently, articulating the rationale behind visual and conceptual decisions.
Foster a collaborative, idea-driven creative culture that encourages experimentation while maintaining high standards.
Build and maintain a network of creative freelancers and artists for special projects.
Manage creative projects from concept through production, balancing quality, timelines, budgets, and organizational priorities.
Build and encourage best practices for efficient workflow and proper file organization.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendors from cost negotiation to production.
Process invoices and engage in financially efficient methods for printing, supplies and services.