Associate Creative Director

Gallo•Modesto, CA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Gallo Creative in Modesto is growing a best-in-class internal agency, and our team takes brands from blank page to shelf-stopping presence, developing and renovating brand identities, defining the visual and verbal language that makes them distinct, and extending that identity with consistency across commerce, experiential, digital, and print. As an Associate Creative Director, you'll be a key creative leader on that team, someone who's just as comfortable rolling up your sleeves and doing the work as you are mobilizing a team to get it done. You'll bring your own hands-on craft to the mix while helping guide the broader creative effort.

Requirements

A strong portfolio spanning brand identity, retail, or multi-channel creative — with the range to both make and lead great work
Deep understanding of the shopper journey and how design influences it at every stage
Experience directing creative teams and/or external partners, as well as contributing hands-on when needed
Confidence presenting and defending ideas to senior stakeholders
A sharp eye for detail and an even sharper drive for breakthrough ideas
Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, fine arts, advertising, communications, and/or journalism plus 6 years of experience in graphic design, copywriting, art direction and/or campaign development reflecting increasing levels or responsibility; OR High school diploma or State-issued equivalency certificate plus 11 years of experience in graphic design, copywriting, art direction and/or campaign development reflecting increasing levels of responsibility.
Original portfolio that contains a collection of commercial work across a variety of industries/client organizations and demonstrates a range of output, skills, and creative experience.
Emerging balance in strength between copy and design aesthetic with experience successfully leading multi-media creative projects.
Ability to partner effectively with clients and Client Partnership colleagues to develop innovative approaches to advance business objectives.
Expertise developing and defining creative strategies, refining concepts from ideation through final execution in support of consumer, shopper, commerce, and online and in-person retail.
Understanding of marketing and brand strategy, messaging, design, and production principles across all forms of media; skilled in color theory, typography and creating content for digital and social platforms.
Experience working as part of a multi-functional marketing communications team to develop industry-leading creative output.
Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the ability to successfully interact with and influence clients and decision makers.
Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through.
Ability to succeed under pressure, managing multiple concurrent projects while shifting priorities and responding to changing business conditions and corresponding needs.
Strong interpersonal skills, conflict-resolution, and relationship-building skills.
Experience with Microsoft 365 productivity apps including Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Expertise with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, etc.), Keynote, and cloud-based project management systems/platforms, e.g. Workfront, Basecamp, etc.
Required to travel to company offices, sites, and/or meeting locations for onboarding, training, meetings, and events for development, department needs, and business delivery up to 5% of the time, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Required to be 18 years or older.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, fine arts, advertising, communications, and/or journalism along with an exceptional portfolio plus 8 years of experience in graphic design, copywriting, art direction and/or campaign development reflecting increasing levels or responsibility.
External agency experience driving creative solutions on behalf of assorted clients and global brands.
Design experience in spirits, beer or beverage industry OR consumer-packaged goods; shopper, omni-commerce creative design, and/or package design with equally strong copy and design aesthetic.
Experience contributing to business development initiatives and positively influencing growth objectives.

Responsibilities

Get hands-on with creative direction and execution on brand identity, commerce, or multi-channel projects, depending on where your strengths and the business need align
Mobilize and direct designers, copywriters, and content creators — and manage external partners — to deliver standout work on time and on budget
Turn shopper and consumer insights into creative that drives engagement, conversion, and loyalty
Lead creative briefings and presentations, using sharp strategic rationale to influence decisions
Partner with creative leadership and cross-functional teams to keep the team's work strategically sound and beautifully made
Grow alongside the team, expanding into new parts of the brand-building process as you go