Associate Creative Director, Art - Walker Sands : Job Details

We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. As an equal opportunity employer Walker Sands is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and welcomes everyone to our team. In your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc).If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.Overview: Walker Sands is looking for an associate creative director, art to join our Creative team out of our Chicago office - hybrid. As an associate creative director, art, your primary focus will be to craft and activate world-class creative campaigns and visual brand identity systems for industry-leading B2B brands. You will also oversee and coach a talented team of designers, collaborate cross-functionally - with creative directors, designers, copywriters, motion designers and strategists as well as PR, digital and social media experts from across the agency - and help us continue to shape and evolve our growing creative team. Responsibilities:Design + Individual Contribution:

• Collaborate with creative directors, strategists, designers, and copywriters to conceive, develop, and launch innovative creative campaigns and brand identity systems.
• Apply conceptual thinking to deliver creative solutions that align with project objectives and exceed client expectations.
• Confidently present work to clients and support sales presentations as needed, showcasing the value and impact of our creative solutions.
• Articulate and defend design decisions effectively, gathering feedback from both colleagues and clients to refine and enhance our creative output.

Creative + Sales Leadership:

• Provide mentorship and coaching to a team of designers, focusing on personal growth and development.
• Oversee weekly creative reviews to offer constructive feedback and celebrate achievements.
• Contribute to business development efforts by participating in concepting, proposal development, and pricing discussions, leveraging your creative expertise to win new business.
• Oversee the production of various creative deliverables, ensuring quality and consistency across all channels to uphold our agency's reputation for excellence.

About you:Experience + Tools:

• You have experiencing facilitating cross-functional collaboration to craft on-brief, emotionally resonant creative concepts - considering art, copy and tonal expression - that can scale across content and media types.
• You possess a mastery of design principles and a deep passion for creating visually stunning experiences across digital and print platforms.
• Your online portfolio reflects your extensive design experience and technical proficiency, showcasing your ability to deliver exceptional creative solutions.
• You have 4-6 years of experience and formal training in art direction or design.
• You demonstrate advanced proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Figma and Adobe CC software (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), enabling you to bring your creative vision to life with precision and efficiency.
• Traits + Attitude:
• You have a thirst for knowledge and actively seek opportunities to enhance your skills while sharing key learnings with your team.
• Candid feedback fuels your drive for professional growth, and you welcome it as a valuable tool for improvement.
• As a self-motivated individual with high standards and ambitions, you excel in defending creative decisions and effectively communicating your ideas to colleagues and clients alike.
• You possess a keen eye for conceptual excellence and understand the power of storytelling in design.
• You are eager to contribute to a collaborative team culture that prioritizes excellence over ego, values diverse perspectives, and fosters a supportive work environment.

Bonus:

• You can create impactful PowerPoint templates and custom decks that elevate both internal and client presentations.
• You possess illustration skills and have experience crafting custom illustrations for brands.

#LI-Hybrid