Responsibilities and Key Objectives

Provides creative strategy for brand direction and sets graphic standards for CDA, CDA Foundation, CDA Presents, TDIC and TDIC Insurance Solutions to meet the Organization’s overall marketing vision.  This is an in-house design position managing a team of graphic designers.

·         Primary responsibility is to manage and direct the creative problem solving efforts for various projects from comprehensive integrated campaigns to single elements.

·         Directs creative process from conception through completion for all print collateral, direct mail, multimedia, audio/video productions, email, trade show graphics, photo shoots, illustrations, print ads and related design.

·         Enforces and supports the Organization’s marketing vision, brand value and continues to grow the Organization’s brand as a market leader through creative design.

·         Identifies opportunities in core (strategic) areas in the creative design process; establishes and manages outsourcing relationships for non-core activities.

·         Provides advice in all areas of activity along the creative design process; oversees and works with all respective Organization team members.

·         Creative design “Champion” coaches and influences Organization teams on creative design in order to support the Organization’s business objectives.

·         Ability to articulate and differentiate design brand values and personal preferences.

·         Educates appropriate groups on needs identified around specific design areas and concepts.

·         Ability to interpret research data into brand concepts and communication materials. 

·         Understands activities and challenges within the Creative Design Process (short-term and long-term) and develops project management systems to ensure timelines are met.

·         Oversee copy/copywriting for all collateral material to ensure consistency in organizational style.

·         Assists in preparation for meeting exhibits and materials as needed.

·         Develops process plans, manages and analyzes budgets and provides budget forecasting.

·         Performs additional duties as assigned.

Internal Resource Management

·         Defines performance objectives and monitoring of creative design team members.

·         Recognizes and rewards the good work of team members by coaching and mentoring.

·         Provides direction to creative team, incorporating creative design objectives.

·         Evaluates and certifies progress towards defined goals.

·         Identifies and removes bottlenecks / impediments to performance in the creative design process.

External Resource Management

·         Coordinates with variety of outside vendors to assist the Organization in non-core areas such as print production, photography, technical production, corporate standards, and any other creative role that can be leveraged.

·         Manages direction and evaluation capabilities of vendors (technology & services).

·         Together with internal and external Web Development team is responsible for ensuring brand guidelines are followed for the Organization’s websites.

EDUCATION/LICENSES/EXPERIENCE:    

Bachelor’s degree in advertising design, graphic design, communications design or commensurate experience with education. Ten (10) years minimum advertising/design creative experience with significant creative management component and art direction background in a nationally recognized design studio or agency specializing in products or services.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Extensive knowledge of design history, mechanical and digital production techniques, typography, and printing processes.  Must possess strong illustration, typography and design skills in Mac environment.  Working knowledge of Adobe, InDesign, PhotoShop, Illustrator, Microsoft Excel, Filemaker Pro, Microsoft Project (or equivalent).  Ability to work as a member of a high-performance, multi-tasking team; leadership, interpersonal and motivational skills; efficient time management of multiple projects  and deadlines; ability to take client information and create an effective communications’ approach; ability to communicate to all levels within the organization in collaborative partnership; excellent negotiation skills (internal/external); ability to analyze and problem solve; effective at relationship building (internal/external). 

Knowledge of multimedia software; web construction or graphical software application; presentation development and delivery software; audio/visual, understanding of pre-press, proofing and printing process.

Extremely self-motivated and  highly creative visionary individual with balance of implementation knowledge to work in dynamic envirorment.  Provide creative design project planning and management.