Associate Art Director

The Associate Art Director (AAD) typically works in collaboration with a copywriter and creative team to devise the overall concept (also known as the "creative" or "big idea") for projects and turn those ideas into compelling visual experiences across brand identity systems, campaigns, digital, social, print, presentations, and everything in between. While the copywriter is responsible for the textual content, and the art director for the visual aspects, the art director is also expected to collaborate over headlines and other copy, while the copywriter may suggest a visual or aesthetic approach. Each person should welcome suggestions and constructive criticism from the other. This collaboration ensures that the words and visual enhance or enlarge the other's meaning and effect.

The Associate Art Director is expected to have solid design judgment and technical knowledge of production. The AAD should also possess persuasive presentation skills. The Associate Art Director is a passionate, curious, positive, and proficient in different design styles. Under the leadership of the CD, the AAD is expected to develop creative and consistently outstanding work that leads to client satisfaction and ultimately, industry recognition for the agency.

A growth mindset and career path to eventually progress into a Senior Art Director and/or Associate Creative Director is preferred.

The ADD is expected to work at JACKSON HQ in Simpsonville (Greenville), SC. We are a very flexible company, but our best collaboration is accomplished face-to-face.

General Purpose: To actively develop killer, and on strategy, concepts and content that produces great work

Essential Responsibilities:

Executive of Creative Projects

• Present and sell creative solutions to internal teams, current Clients and prospective Clients, in a clear, thoughtful and compelling manner

• Partner with copywriters and other creatives to develop strong concepts and cohesive campaigns

• Develop creative concepts and visual directions for integrated campaigns and client projects

• Translate strategy and messaging into compelling visual ideas

• Lead the visual development of campaigns from initial concept through final execution

• Help establish and maintain visual consistency across multiple deliverables and channels operating within various client brand requirements

• Manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines while maintaining a high standard of creative quality

Support Client Relationship

• Supports Account team when presenting new ideas to current Clients

• Consistently creates effective, innovative solutions to Clients’ marketing problems

• Notifies key team members if/when Client’s changes will impact the project budget or schedule

NOTE: APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT SUBMISSION OF PORTFOLIO

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Required:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• 3+ years of professional design experience, preferably within an agency or similarly fast-paced creative environment
• Up to date on latest design trends and best practices
• Understanding of how to solve marketing problems with creative solutions
• Strong presentation and communication skills
• Excellent understanding of design fundamentals, typography, layout, branding, and visual storytelling
• Demonstrated ability to design for multiple mediums (including digital, mail, print, storyboarding, etc.) in order to develop fully-integrated marketing campaigns
• Capable of meeting high standards for quality and accuracy under tight deadlines
• Recognizes great work and is aware of trending campaigns and industry news
• Displays a service attitude with a propensity to go beyond expectations and provide guidance across multiple departments in order to promote a positive team environment
• Strong time management, organizational and critical thinking skills with proved ability to prioritize, organize and multi-task effectively
• Strong in Adobe Creative Cloud, PowerPoint, Internet environments and industry-standard software programs (emerging AI tools is a plus)
• Comfortable giving and receiving creative feedback
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence, and memos
• Proactive, resourceful, strong team player
• Commitment to JACKSON company values including Uncommon Creativity, Uncommon Collaboration and the Golden Rule

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field

• Minimum 1-5 years of design experience in an agency environment

• Minimum 4 years’ experience in brand marketing

Travel:

• Minimal, 5-10%

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Graphic Designer(s)
• Freelance Contractors, dependent on workload

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this position, the Associate is occasionally required to move about the office, use computers, phone, video conferencing and other general office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus while performing design duties. The Associate must occasionally lift up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment

This position is performed on-site at Jackson in a climate-controlled office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.