Art Director

SALT XC • Chicago, IL

18h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Kitchen North America is an award-ambitious team that brings together a range of disciplines and capabilities, including creatives, producers, data analysts, and social experts. They deliver remarkable ideas across various mediums, from social to TV, and move at the speed of culture to respond to trends and events. The team has been recognized internationally by industry giants like Cannes and One Show, and was named Campaign's Global ‘In-House Agency of The Year’. They are looking for trailblazers passionate about producing award-winning work and generating innovative ideas.

As the Art Director, you will be a key contributor of ideas and the visual leader of a creative team dedicated to producing high-quality content that stands out on social platforms and in the real world. You will lead a team of Social Creatives and partner with a Writer to create clever, disruptive work for iconic brands. You will collaborate with the Creative Director, your writing partner, and a team of Designers and Creators to innovate and design ideas that disrupt social media. The role involves planning year-round content, including acts, content, thumb-stopping design, and interactions that bring brands to life. You will need a strong understanding of design principles for Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, with the ability to innovate and break norms. Experience in traditional mediums will help raise the quality of work and ensure compelling storytelling. You will work at an agile agency pace, capturing moments when needed and perfecting ideas when opportunities allow. Your unique skillset and design eye will inspire others, making a meaningful impact within a multi-talented team in North America (Toronto & Chicago).

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience as a Creative Designer performing at an Art Director level, or experience as an Art Director with a proven track record of leading other designers and stewarding brands.
• A broad portfolio that includes examples of work created by yourself, as well as work managed by a team. Portfolio includes examples of ground-breaking, innovative work, including examples of social media work that elevates the medium.
• The ability to execute concepts at a level that is among the top tier in the industry.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills - both written and verbal.
• Proficient using Mac OS, Adobe Creative Cloud (Expert knowledge of Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign), SharePoint, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (or Keynote).

Nice To Haves

• College or University diploma in Advertising, Graphic or Communication Design is preferred.
• Exposure to Art Direction, Photo Shoots, and UI/UX are an advantage.

Responsibilities

• ART DIRECTION: Experienced design leader who manages others to a level of visual quality that meets high standards. Experience elevating others' work.
• INNOVATIVE & TRADITIONAL DESIGN: Work in a wide range of mediums from traditional video and photo content, real world design (experiential) and social media content.
• BRAND DESIGN: Serve as the final voice in ensuring brands have a consistent high-quality look and feel across all mediums.
• IDEATION: Participate in and occasionally lead brainstorms with positive energy and big-idea thinking. Ability to think about how to bring ideas to life visually, but also think broadly about big ideas and how they come to life. Understand how to spot a consumer or cultural tension point, and find an idea that leans into it.
• PRESENTATION DESIGN: Manage a team to create compelling visual stories that bring ideas to life and get hands-on as required to design presentation decks that sell through big ideas. Develop storyboards and presentation decks that help preview creative ideas.
• LEADERSHIP: Manage the career and development of a team of Designers, including a direct report.
• COLLABORATION: Work as part of a cross-functional Design Team, and as part of a larger Creative Team.
• WORKFLOW MANAGEMENT: Manage multiple priorities and assignments in a fast-paced, active environment to deliver high-quality work, on-time and with accuracy. Know how to delegate work and manage a team's capacity.

Benefits

• The Kitchen, Kraft Heinz, and Salt are committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting and retaining the most qualified employees regardless of race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age or disability.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees