The Creative Manager owns the creation and execution of the strategic direction for multiple categories that drive our business. The Creative Manager is responsible for increasing the overall efficiency and scalability within the creative production process, including brand consistency, timeliness, capacity, quality, governance and compliance. They will drive operational efficiency into the creative workflow process by using tools, measurement, and best practices in order create structure and streamline the way creative brand work is produced and deployed. The Creative Manager oversees creative service operations related to brand creative, brand launch(es), brand governance and brand maintenance. The Creative Managers serves as the liaison that connects internal brand partners to the creative marketing team by building partnerships through collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders.
The ideal candidate for the role is a seasoned brand designer that has experience leading and driving multiple large scale projects with a strong understanding of how the creative brand designs can influence and drive business results. This role requires strong presentation skills, business acumen and the ability to influence both up and down the organization. They are responsible for elevating and driving creative standard forward. The Creative Manager leads a team of 4-5 (various levels of experience) by driving accountability, mentoring and providing actionable feedback and coaching.
Design Management (Project)
Owns the communication among internal design, external design partners, brand management, merchants, sourcing, marketing and vendors to drive effective and efficient brand development.
Develops and drives the creative direction/strategy of all consumer facing material coming from the brand for their categories
Oversees all design projects within assigned category to ensure brand consistency
Delivers creative solutions to communicate brand and product stories.
Drives the projects with internal/external partners (Marketing) to ensure all projects are on schedule and see projects through to completion within a timely manner.
Owns communication and presentation of design concepts in key milestone meetings throughout the development cycle, with an open mind to critique and direction. This includes producing presentation materials in conjunction with design and product management teams that effectively convey the narrative of the direction for their categories.
Serves as the subject matter expert for all Brand collateral; acts as the HUB for the brand and leads the design to determine how it will show up to the consumer.
Market/Consumer Research & Analysis
Responsible for understanding of the consumer and competitive landscape. Stay current with trends within the category and incorporate them into the overall design strategy for their category.
Heads seasonal research trips to help creative team maintain market knowledge and guide the team in understanding long term category trend
Builds team awareness of the competitive marketplace in order to elevate brand names to strategic benchmark levels.
Time and Action Calendar Management
Responsible to deliver a seasonal time and action calendar that adheres to business priorities, while understanding scope of team to deliver the expected results in line with the overall timeline of the brand.
Prioritizes creative product work requests based on the seasonal calendar to meet established deadlines. Ability to work in a fast paced environment.
Ensures accurate and timely delivery of new design executions & ideas by working closely with vendors. This includes demonstrating strong project management and problem solving skills in order to meet deadlines.
Trains and mentors new hires by sharing experience, knowledge and best practices.
Supervises and provide guidance to teammates on projects and deliverables, holding teammate accountable to deadlines. This includes organizing and monitoring workload to ensure priority deliverables are fast tracked.
Shares timely and actionable feedback with teammates on deliverables to ensure accountability, coach and mentor as needed.
Establishes strategic staffing and succession plans (0-2 year horizon) within span of control and gain Director support; successfully deliver on proposed staffing objectives.
Drives talent selection process for open direct report positions; Ensure all direct reports are appropriately trained and on-boarded.
Qualifications
