Creative Manager (HYBRID)

Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. (ESS)•Kansas City, MO

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

Emery Sapp & Sons (ESS) is seeking a Creative Manager to join their marketing team. This role involves managing brand governance and creative execution, requiring strong design skills, digital and traditional media application, collaboration, and stakeholder management. The Creative Manager will lead the visual expression of the ESS brand across all touchpoints, including recruitment marketing, internal communications, client pursuits, major campaigns, events, digital experiences, and executive communications. The goal is to elevate the quality of creative work and support the development of designers, photographers/videographers, and marketing teammates.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in graphic design, fine arts, visual communications, or a related discipline.
6+ years of graphic design experience.
Management and/or mentorship experience.
Familiarity with video production, motion graphics, and web design.
Understanding of marketing funnels, digital platforms, and content strategy.
Strong creative portfolio showcasing expertise in branding, design systems, and campaign-worthy work across various media.
Approach design with passion and discipline.
Obsessed with processes, proofing, and error-checking.
Thrive in both an independent and collaborative environment.
Passionate about transforming ideas into clear, cohesive, and impactful campaigns.
Ability to juggle concurrent projects with tight deadlines.
Proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
Experience with third-party vendors and preparing creative files for web and large-format printing.
Active member of the design, marketing, and communications community.
Positive attitude and ability to play well with others.
Takes initiative and drives projects.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the A/E/C industry.
Knowledge of civil construction.
Experience with Adobe PremierPro, Adobe After Effects, and WordPress.
Dabble in video editing and motion graphics and/or experience collaborating with video editors to create impactful motion graphics.
Spanish language proficiency for writing or quality control of Spanish content.

Responsibilities

Manage and maintain company brand standards and brand systems, ensuring graphic elements are consistently applied across all internal and external mediums.
Ensure all creative assets align with the company's strategic goals and vision.
Translate marketing objectives into creative strategies and campaigns; lead creative concept development from ideation through execution.
Develop and maintain a centralized brand toolkit and asset library for internal and external use.
Design a wide range of creative assets and offer creative insights on a variety of internal and external initiatives and campaigns – including social media, email campaigns, direct mail, branded merchandise, event materials, motion graphics, and more.
Work cross-functionally with marketing, communications, media/production, and operational leadership.
Coach and mentor graphic designers and other marketing teammates.
Work with individuals across a variety of teams to develop creative solutions for our company, partners, and clients.
Coordinate with external agencies, freelancers, or production partners as needed.
Provide art direction on photoshoots, construction jobsites, and other shoots.
Explore and reasonably leverage AI-enable creative tools to improve ideation, production, and efficiency while maintaining brand quality.
Provide best practices and encourage creativity with all marketing team members, staying abreast of and applying design trends.
Attend company events and represent the firm at industry events as needed.