Associate Creative Director - Zoro
Chicago, IL
About the Job
Company Summary:
Zoro is an eCommerce company that's on a mission to help business owners get everything they need to run their businesses and thrive–from office supplies to power tools. But we're way more than a website. We're a team of great people with an award-winning culture. Check us out and see for yourself!
Primary Function:
The Associate Creative Director is an outgoing, energetic, and inspirational design leader who can develop creative concepts and strategies that are insightful, relevant, innovative, and effective. The ideal candidate has a portfolio that demonstrates expert skills in visual communication and design across all mediums, including print, digital, video, etc., and is a creative powerhouse with the ability to motivate and direct their team in the design and production of best-in-class solutions for Zoro.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead and drive the strategic development of creative concepts for media and advertising based on customer needs, research, and market trends.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to prioritize work in support of key marketing and promotional needs.
- Continuously improve department competencies, refine workflow, and optimize tools/processes to support the development of high-quality communications.
- Manage and supervise multiple projects and ensure resources are allocated appropriately.
- Ensure brand identity and message consistency across channels.
- Lead and participate in brainstorming sessions.
- Lead and manage team of writers and visual designers responsible for print, and digital creative.
- Participate in design presentations to business partners, vendors, and stakeholders.
- Communicate and collaborate effectively with internal teams and external clients.
- Identify, communicate, and manage risks to project objectives.
- Assist in hiring and managing department staff and interns.
- Evaluate creative team performance and guide improvements.
- Keep up with the latest trends, strategies, and technologies.
- Provide evaluation and/or recommendation of design tools.
- Mentor and inspire the team to elevate their work.
- Research trends, new markets, and competitors.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field.
- 10+ years of creative design / creative leadership experience in print and digital channels.
- Experience in design development as well as development and evolution of brand standards.
- Proficient with industry-standard design software and tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.), Figma, Premier, and After Effects.
- Art Direction/Design background is essential as well as an understanding of design principles, typography, color theory, and user-centered design principles.
- Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
- A passion for education, creativity, and innovation, with a keen eye for detail.
- Ability to elicit cooperation from a wide variety of sources, including senior management, stakeholders, other departments, etc.
Zoro Values and Inclusive Culture:
Zoro is dedicated to fostering an environment where people of all backgrounds and beliefs are represented and valued. We aim to empower all of our employees to learn about, raise awareness of, and promote diversity and inclusion through all of our workplace interactions. Zoro is a place where everyone can learn, grow, and thrive.
We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.