Manager, Creative

About the position

The Manager, Creative delivers the creative strategy and manages execution for one or more brands and/or product groupings within a brand, from project initiation through asset delivery. In this role, you will manage the creative execution of assets against the brand’s guidelines. This effort includes all related marketing materials, visual asset management and quality control, as well as project execution. The Manager, Creative manages a team of Designers, and works within a larger team of design specialists, copy writers, and project managers. The Manager, Creative partners with marketing and industrial design teams and domain peers to build a creative center of excellence within Newell Brands.

Responsibilities

• Works with Senior Manager, Creative to deliver the brand strategy, marketing projects, and campaigns.
• Delivers projects to follow a brand visual identity stewarding it across all consumer touch-points.
• Partners with Manager, Copy to translate projects into concrete creative solutions within the brand identity guidelines.
• Ensures adherence to brand style guides including logo, product branding (online/offline), typography, packaging, photography, illustration, multimedia, video, and activation materials.
• Leads team members to generate creative ideas and fosters an environment conducive to best-in-class creative development.
• Collaborates with Manager, Creative design peers to share best practices, fully-leverage resources, and foster inspiration.
• Participates in training sessions on AI tools and leads team to continuously develop skills to leverage these tools effectively.
• Presents project execution with rationale and expert recommendations to marketing teams.
• Ensures the quality of all creative recommendations presented and assets delivered to consumers.
• Leads a small team of Designers, working together with other departmental positions to produce highly effective creative content executions leveraging AI and digital twins for faster production and advanced effects.
• Translates briefs and maintains solid relationships with all cross-functional partners.
• Partners with Manager, Design Operations to maintain project timing, project accuracy, and develop resource deployment.
• Utilizes and automates designs with AI tools – Text to image, image to image, and image to 3D software, and scripted automations.
• Implements AI-driven initiatives and helps identify and drive experimentation in new areas where AI can enhance design processes.
• Provides art direction to designers, agency partners, photographers, and other artists to deliver best-in-class digital and physical assets.
• Ensures proper use of messaging framework and call-to-action strategy for Omnichannel and eCommerce marketing vehicles.
• Engage with cross-functional subject matter experts to follow best practices for the digital shelf.
• Uses appropriate decision-making and approval processes in a timely manner.
• Participates in and helps organize recruiting events.

Requirements

• University degree or college diploma in graphic design, art or related field. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 7-12+ years of experience in a creative/graphic design position, including 3+ years of experience leading the development and execution of multi-channel content.
• Respected and trusted designer with a proven track record of achievement, and proven experience managing design across complex programs.
• Expert knowledge in Adobe Creative Suite including Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects.
• Professional experience with asset production from 3D modeling tools: Adobe Substance suite, Keyshot, etc.
• Well-versed in design workflows utilizing Generative AI tools: e.g. Firefly, ChatGPT, Midjourney, etc.
• Knowledge of brand and asset management via Adobe Libraries, Adobe Express, and Adobe Experience Manager.
• Strong decision-making skills and an understanding of where projects fit into overall Company and development strategies.

Nice-to-haves

• Creative Management: Experience implementing cohesive creative executions for a brand.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to demonstrate passion for a brand and infuse other people with that passion.
• Art Direction: Ability to manage multiple creative projects.
• Deep in a detailed understanding of all design components required.
• Demonstrates mastery in design architecture deployment.
• Commercial photo studio experience a plus; Video editing/motion graphics experience a plus.
• Understanding of best practices to leverage UX/UI.
• Coding (HTML/CSS) knowledge and understanding of best practices in mobile-first and responsive web development is a plus.