VP, Creative Director (Art)

Edelman•Chicago, IL

1d•$105,000 - $175,000

About The Position

We are in relentless pursuit of an equitable and inspiring workplace that is respectful of all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust, collaboration and belonging. Consistent with this approach, we hire the best qualified candidates for all positions. Edelman is a voice synonymous with trust, reimagining a future where the currency of communication is action. Our culture thrives on three promises: boldness is possibility, empathy is progress, and curiosity is momentum. We are in relentless pursuit of an equitable and inspiring workplace that is respectful of all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust, collaboration, and belonging. Consistent with this approach, we hire the best-qualified candidates for all positions. Edelman seeks a trend-savvy VP, Creative Director (Art) for a top retail client. This role calls for a style-savvy creative passionate about trends in social, fashion, beauty, home decor, and design—a visionary who dreams of being in Wallpaper magazine. You’ll leverage cultural trends, IRL experiences, and sharp design to create standout campaigns that supercharge brands and captivate audiences. Our team drives some of the world’s most buzz-worthy work, like Ebay's pre-loved runway shows at NY and London Fashion Weeks or Dove’s guide for coding Black hairstyles in gaming. Here, we don’t just follow culture; we aim to change it. Expect a range of creative work that defies traditional PR or advertising norms. One day you’re ideating a content series, the next you’re brainstorming with our AI team or crafting culture-shifting activation ideas. If you’re drawn to projects that land in the NY Times and on Cannes shortlists, you’ll fit right in. What We Expect We want passion. We want excitement. It’s brainstorm day so we need your energy and vision. But also, your ideas. Especially your ideas. You’ll bounce them off your co-workers, laughing with strategic planners, designers, content creators, and art directors to create amazing and enduring work that you’ll be proud to put in your book and share on LinkedIn for sure – but also work that will have you telling your family and friends, “we did that.” To land this gig, you need to have a passion for people and helping others solve problems. Our culture is what sets us apart from traditional ad agencies, and it’s why so many stay with us awhile. At Edelman, our most valuable resource is you – our people – with a diversity of backgrounds, ideas, and smarts (with heart). We support one another, encourage each other, and we’re looking for individuals who want to contribute to our culture.

Requirements

8-12 years of creative agency experience (some in-house is okay, as long as it was a great house)
A bachelor’s degree, preferably in Fine Arts, Advertising or Graphic Design
A professional-level mastery of industry-standard design software and tools including the full suite of Adobe Creative Cloud, Powerpoint and a working knowledge of Figma
An impressive online portfolio showcasing a strong mix of traditional, digital, and social creative work that demonstrates your ability to generate big ideas and execute them with exceptional craft
Pride in your previous work and the ability to present it clearly and concisely during the interview process
A love for (and an active user of) social media
Energy, enthusiasm, and a smile
Willingness to push your craft, get your hands dirty, and make great things
Social fluency and a solid understanding of how to drive conversation and engagement across social channels
A natural flare for the unique, the buzz-worthy and the culturally relevant
Ability to think strategically and conceptualize creatively
Strong, persuasive presentation skills to sell in creative work to internal and external stakeholders

Responsibilities

Develop and deliver creative concepts and ideas, founded in insights, across all platforms for briefs and new business pitches
Develop work that is consistent with the brand’s personality and will differentiates the client from the competition
Deliver fresh thinking and innovative creative solutions and relevant, motivating campaigns and platforms
Develop platform idea and work with planning function to determine parameters for success
Understand client’s brand and category in order to develop work that is consistent with the brand’s personality and will differentiate the client from the competition
Recognizing and developing great ideas and pushing them forward – as the cohesive team lead of writers, art directors, designers and more to bring the creative process to life
Works hand-in-hand with project managers, account leads, production partners and more to see projects from ideas to activation, effectively completing projects of high quality within timeframe and budget
Work in conjunction with account teams, planners and strategists to direct the visual/verbal expression of brand-building ideas to drive media coverage, buzz and brand
Experience maintaining client contact as needed, building camaraderie to develop trusting relationships
On-site production/art direction experience for events, activations as well as video, digital, and social platforms
The ability to collaborate with PMs and other departments to lead and move projects forward, assisting with budget and schedule development, and potentially managing junior creatives’ work
Ability to prioritize and manage work, adhering to critical project timelines while maintaining a high-level of craft and detail in a fast-paced environment