Full-Time

Art Director

Posted on 3/22/2025

HLK

HLK

201-500 employees

Brand strategy, insights, and creative execution

Compensation Overview

$60k - $85k/yr

Chicago, IL, USA + 1 more

More locations: St. Louis, MO, USA

Hybrid

Hybrid role; on-site presence required in St. Louis or Chicago.

Category
Art, Graphics & Animation (2)
,
Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual communication or a related field from an accredited college/university or equivalent work experience
  • 3-5 years of experience in an advertising agency or related creative environment
  • Based in Chicago or St. Louis (the position is open to St. Louis, MO or Chicago, IL residents only)
  • Strong portfolio showcasing a variety of conceptual thinking and craftsmanship across multiple mediums
  • Curiosity to explore different visual styles and design approaches
  • Ability to adapt to different brand voices and visual styles
  • An excitement for jumping head-first into experimentation and the ability to communicate novel thinking
  • Ability to take and learn from both constructive and positive feedback
  • Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail and craftsmanship
  • A collaborative mindset and ability to work across different teams
  • Finger on the pulse of marketing and advertising trends, with an eye for innovative ideas and design
  • Strong experience in design principles, composition, typography, motion, and UX/UI
  • Well-versed with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and familiarity with Figma or similar design tools
Responsibilities
  • Concept and develop original ideas with a fresh POV for a range of clients.
  • Consistently deliver compelling visual designs on a wide range of projects, including print, video, digital, social, motion/animation, websites, presentations and more.
  • Collaborate with your copywriting partner on projects to strategically problem-solve while infusing your ideas with a clear creative POV
  • Participate in client presentations, articulating design concepts and rationales
  • Maintain consistency within brand guidelines while pushing visual boundaries
  • Embrace feedback and use it to refine and elevate your work
  • Work on multiple projects simultaneously in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment
  • Take personal accountability for delivering high-quality work on time
  • Spark inspiration and leave your mark at our transformative annual MOVES conference and unforgettable year-end celebration

HLK Agency helps brands grow by doing branding work grounded in data and strategy. It runs market research, defines strategic plans, and delivers creative branding executions to help brands evolve in a changing market. The process centers on collaboration—working with clients, their customers, and HLK’s team—to shape brand identities, communicate value, and reinforce growth. Compared with typical agencies, HLK emphasizes ongoing consultancy, a strong focus on real insights, and a holistic set of services from research to creative execution, all aimed at keeping brands relevant and impactful. The goal is to enable brands to navigate shifts in the market, stand out from competitors, and achieve measurable growth through well-informed branding moves.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

St. Louis, Missouri

Founded

1977

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • ABM adoption accelerates demand for HLK's multi-channel campaigns in B2B sectors.
  • Midwestern agencies gain edge with clients valuing autonomy over holding companies.
  • Fractured markets boost need for HLK's integrated brand ecosystems.

What critics are saying

  • Adobe Firefly erodes creative execution margins by 80% within 6-12 months.
  • VSA Partners steals energy clients after $15M John Deere win in 12-18 months.
  • Google Brand Insights supplants market research services in 3-6 months.

What makes HLK unique

  • HLK Ventures combines capital investments with marketing services for startups.
  • Connected Experiences framework delivers personalized ABM for B2B clients like Monsanto.
  • Independent Midwest ownership attracts national brands seeking authentic perspectives.

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Benefits

Flexible Work Hours

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Paid Sabbatical

Parental Leave

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Company Match

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