Creative Manager-Studio Art Direction

Meyer•Vallejo, CA

9d•$100,000 - $145,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Creative Manager - Studio Art Direction is the creative lead for Meyer's in-house studio operation — responsible for the visual and strategic direction of all photo and video content produced across the studio and on location. This is a manager level role within the organization. Working closely with and taking direction from the Creative Director, this role translates brand creative vision into compelling, channel-ready content: product photography, lifestyle imagery, video, and social-first formats that serve Meyer's omnichannel portfolio. This is both a creative and a managing role. The role leads a studio team — setting the creative direction for every production, overseeing execution, and ensuring the studio's output consistently reflects brand standards.

Requirements

6+ years of creative experience with at least 2 years in an art direction or creative lead role overseeing photo and/or video production — ideally within a consumer brand, in-house studio, or content-forward agency.
Strong portfolio demonstrating range across product photography, lifestyle content, and video — with clear evidence of art direction, not just execution.
Deep understanding of how content functions across channels: DTC, social, marketplace, and retail each have distinct visual and format requirements, and this role needs to direct for all of them.
Proven ability to translate a brand's creative vision into specific, actionable direction on set — comfortable giving clear notes to photographers, videographers, and stylists in real time.
Experience leading a studio or content team; comfortable managing a mix of creative and production roles.
Strong collaborator who works well alongside a Creative Director — able to receive direction, interpret it precisely, and carry it through to execution without departing from established vision.
Familiarity with post-production workflows and what well-directed studio content looks like through the full pipeline.

Responsibilities

Set and uphold the creative direction for all studio output — including product photography, lifestyle content, video, and social-first formats — across Meyer's brand portfolio.
Develop shot concepts, visual treatments, and content frameworks for each production, translating campaign briefs and brand direction into executable creative plans for the studio team.
Establish and maintain visual standards for studio photography and video: lighting approaches, styling direction, composition, color, and overall aesthetic — ensuring consistency across shoots, brands, and channels.
Collaborate with cross-functional partners to ensure studio content channel output feel cohesive across touchpoints — shelf, screen, and social.
Direct all studio and offsite photo and video shoots — providing active, specific creative direction to the photographer, videographer, and content creator to achieve the desired visual outcome.
Review and approve selects, rough cuts, and in-progress work at key stages, providing clear and actionable feedback that keeps production moving toward the intended result.
Work closely with the Senior Content Producer on pre-production planning — reviewing shot lists, approving call sheets, and ensuring each production is set up to execute the creative direction efficiently.
Direct prop and product styling on set, ensuring every frame reflects the brand aesthetic and is appropriately calibrated for its channel and use case.
Oversee post-production quality in partnership with the Post Production Manager, reviewing retouched and composited assets to confirm they meet creative and brand standards before DAM delivery.
Develop content that performs across DTC, social, marketplace, and retail channels — understanding the distinct requirements of each.
Partner with the Creative Ops Manager to maintain a clear view of the studio production calendar, flagging creative dependencies and ensuring content is ready to support campaign and launch timelines.
Collaborate with channel and brand teams to understand content needs, translating downstream requirements into production briefs without losing creative focus.
Lead, mentor, and develop a studio team and any external contractors to execute creative photo & video shoots.
Translate the Creative Director's expectations into clear creative standards for the team — giving direct, specific feedback that raises the quality of output across every role.
Foster a studio environment where the team executes with craft, speed, and ownership — and where creative problems are solved proactively rather than escalated.

Benefits

Medical
Dental
Vision
Company Paid Life Insurance
Flexible Spending Account
401(k) with a 6% match (4% vested immediately, remaining 2% vested over a four-year period)
Generous Paid Time Off
8 Sick Days per year, with rollover (40 hours for the remainder of 2026)
12 Holidays, plus two Floating Holidays per year (one Floating Holiday for the remainder of 2026)
Paid Parental Leave
Tuition Assistance Program
Adoption/Infertility Benefits
Wellness Programs, including a Gym Subsidy
Generous Product Discounts