Group Design Director

We are looking for a Group Design Director who is a graphics-focused team leader, responsible for concepting and executing brand campaigns in partnership with other creatives across a wide range of disciplines: experiential, social, editorial, traditional campaign, motion, and presentation design. If you are a highly motivated aesthetic visionary with an eye for both the big picture and the details, you may be the right candidate for this role

In addition to fully realized technical design skills, you have a refined and forward-thinking design sensibility and are able to execute compelling, cutting-edge visual work for unique brands across all verticals. You flex fluently into other design mediums, partnering with environmental designers to build 360 campaigns that span everything from spatial graphics to digital UX. 

We are looking for someone who is ready to become a Spoon - to give a damn, try anything, and enjoy the people they are working with.

This role will be working out of our NY office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, or out of our LA office on Tuesdays.

Responsibilities

• Develop branding for clients ranging in scope from one-off project work to multi-year AOR campaigns.
• Set the aesthetic and processes standards for our graphic teams via the sharing of unique references, thought leadership and best-in-class executed work.
• Deliver, with the support of a junior team,  all graphic design components on assigned projects, including the conception of unique graphic systems/identities for campaigns, the development of graphic assets within those systems, and the technical execution of those graphics with project production teams.
• Confidently present work to clients in context of the larger project creative and act as a true client partner in furthering business objectives through the medium of design.
• Create and curate innovative creative presentations, crafting memorable visuals to support new business pitch opportunities as needed. Consistently flex into new visual formats and tools to leverage in client presentations, including use of AI.
• Maintain a contemporary design diet, sharing references to younger team members that transcend mass trends.
• Manage the day-to-day work and overall career development of junior team members
• Create and enforce the idealized design process and develop departmental processes and protocol in conjunction with department ECD.
• Act as an expert in materiality and emerging technology as it relates to print graphics, proactively suggesting materials, value-engineering solutions and maintaining deep relationships with outside vendors to ensure we’re at the cutting edge of production
• Proactively manage and adhere to tight timelines for the production of digital and printed graphic elements and manage print budgets in conjunction with production team and designs within designated parameters
• Serve as design lead on-site during load-ins for graphics

Requirements

• 10+ years of design experience in a fast-paced creative environment; advertising agency experience preferred
• BA degree in graphic design or equivalent training
• Advanced knowledge of computer design software and hardware, always striving to stay current in level of knowledge and abilities.
• A mastery of industry-standard design software, including Adobe Creative Suite (bonus points for motion design, illustration and/or prototyping abilities)
• Sophisticated typography, color and design sensibilities that support a thoughtful, strategic approach
• Drive to learn new tools, plugins and softwares as needed to create high quality graphics for client work.
• Effective written, verbal, and visual communicator
• Ability to craft internal / external presentations and present in an engaging way
• Ability to effectively prioritize tasks and be resourceful, flexible and quick to adapt in a fast-paced environment.
• Acute attention to detail
• Ability to collaborate creatively across departments and offices
• Ability to foster trusting relationships with teammates and clients

The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $185,000 - $225,000. Salary is determined based on a wide range of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, job duties, and geographic location. For this role, we also offer programs such as medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k) matching, paid time off, and various other benefits and perks.