Design Director

Complex•New York, NY

21d•$120,000 - $130,000

About The Position

Company And Culture Complex is the definitive platform for global youth culture and music lifestyle, seamlessly integrating cutting-edge content, commerce and live experiences with unparalleled scale. Through innovative content, Complex tells stories of music, streetwear and style, sports, art and beyond. Its content engages in a dynamic conversation with the audience, reflecting and shaping the zeitgeist of convergence culture. A powerful media juggernaut paired with a curated marketplace, Complex is redefining the way fans interact with their favorite brands and artists and reshaping the future of digital culture and commerce.

Requirements

Minimum 7 years of professional creative experience at a design firm, agency, publication, or media company, with an emphasis on branding, digital media, and 360 content
Minimum 3 years of professional experience leading multi-faceted creative projects from start to finish
Strong design background, including an intimate understanding of the entire design process and its various production processes and procedures
A passion and deep knowledge of current and historic design references relevant to Complex brands
Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills
Ability to reconcile and communicate the relationship between aesthetic, strategic, and business objectives
A natural ability to collaborate with others and thrive under pressure
Mastery of Adobe Creative suite – InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator are a must
Familiarity and interest in coding, UX/UI design
Experience and knowledge of AI tools like Krea, Invoke, Kling, etc. are a must

Nice To Haves

Experience with After Effects, Premiere, Sketch Up, Cinema 4D are a plus

Responsibilities

Support creative leadership in all aspects of Complex brands, providing clear and decisive direction on matters of art direction, visual identity, taste, and tone
Guide the creation of brand guidelines, including templates, and marketing materials for Complex’s audience-facing brands and IP
Provide design direction and design for special projects across a variety of platforms and media
Organize and present creative work for internal and external review, taking extra care to ensure creative alignment of all parties
Support the Creative VP in the smooth running of the Design team, by providing clear feedback and direction to Art Director and designers
Help to lead creative efforts by working in close collaboration with leading brand and cross-functional partners
Support Chief Creative Innovation Officer and Creative VP led initiatives across various media: Digital, Print, Experiential, Social, and Marketing
Manage multiple projects, deliverables, timelines, and team objectives simultaneously
Foster conceptual and professional development amongst team members, leading by example
Develop and nurture team skill sets and capabilities, maintaining a rigorous creative process necessary for a high-functioning team
Inspire enthusiasm and camaraderie within the team, contributing to an inclusive and supportive team culture
Monitor quality of creative output across project milestones and deliverables, assessing risk and communication issues, problem-solving any that may arise
Stay up-to-date with state of the art design trends, tools and techniques, and industry movements, disseminating information and inspiration within the team, ensuring these approaches and technologies are being used and considered on every project
Identify and engage creative collaborators for contract, full-time, and freelance engagements when called upon
Ability to lead and course correct by example and put together mockups, directional comps, mood boards, etc