Senior Art Director

1000heads•New York, NY

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Art Director is a hands-on, visionary creative who develops impactful social, digital, and brand activation campaigns from concept through execution. Working with a design-savvy team across clients, this person helps brands tell their stories through multiple channels and contributes to the development of the agency’s creative offering. The role champions and sells creative work, evolves design strategies, translates marketing and branding strategies into fresh campaigns, and safeguards the quality and overall look and feel of the work. This hybrid role requires two days per week in the office. The Senior Art Director leads creative projects and productions, collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, mentors junior creatives, and manages project timelines and budgets. The position requires at least six years of art direction or design experience and a strong portfolio of social, digital, and integrated campaigns.

Requirements

At least 6 years of experience in art direction or design, ideally in social, digital, or agency environments.
A strong portfolio demonstrating concept-to-launch work across social, digital, and integrated campaigns.
Expert understanding of visual storytelling, composition, typography, and brand identity.
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, and Premiere.
Familiarity with emerging design and motion tools.
Deep understanding of social platforms, formats, safe zones, and what makes content resonate in-feed.
Proven ability to lead creative projects from brainstorming through final delivery, with sharp attention to detail.
Experience guiding or mentoring junior creatives and fostering collaborative team environments.
Confidence and clarity when presenting ideas to clients and internal teams.
Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects.
Ability to collaborate across teams and positively influence creative processes and outcomes.
Resilience and willingness to keep improving work with the team when ideas or assets are not approved.
Passion for culture, creativity, and pushing ideas beyond the expected.
Ability to work in a hybrid arrangement requiring two office days per week.

Nice To Haves

Experience in social, digital, or agency environments.

Responsibilities

Partner with copywriters and creative teammates to conceive and develop bold, social-first ideas.
Translate strategic briefs into clear visual direction, style, and storytelling.
Create and present sketches, storyboards, mockups, and layouts that bring creative ideas to life.
Lead the design and execution of effective digital and social campaigns.
Stay current with AI tools and incorporate them into the creative workflow.
Oversee content creation from concept through production and post-production, ensuring assets meet the brief and brand standards.
Collaborate with producers, photographers, directors, editors, and developers to deliver high-quality creative across formats.
Guide productions of varying sizes, managing shoots and creative direction on set and remotely.
Mentor and inspire junior designers, supporting their development and maintaining a high creative standard.
Participate in creative reviews and provide strategic, constructive, and inspiring feedback.
Manage timelines and budgets to keep projects running smoothly and efficiently.
Champion and sell creative work, evolve design strategies, and translate marketing and branding strategies into campaigns.
Safeguard the quality and overall look and feel of creative work.