Senior Art Director

twentysix; Hilversum; On-site; EUR 49,794 - 56,018; Full time

Job summary

Monks in Canada is seeking a Senior Art Director to lead art direction for a major automotive client, collaborating with copywriters, account managers and creatives to deliver compelling campaigns. You’ll guide design direction, present to clients, and mentor junior designers in a fast‑paced, global team.

The role emphasizes pixel‑perfect design, strategic thinking, and a hands‑on plus delegation approach across digital formats including video and social content.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of design and art direction experience in advertising and marketing.
• Present work with poise and clear communication to senior leaders and clients.
• Experience crafting brand style guides to ensure consistency across touchpoints.
• Automotive and/or production industry experience is highly desirable.
• Versatile, digital‑centric portfolio across multiple formats (digital, video, social).

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the creative process from concept ideation to production, ensuring high‑quality, innovative work.
• Critique major deliverables and ensure alignment with client objectives and brand standards.
• Present work alongside Creative Directors during client reviews, articulating vision.
• Cultivate strong client relationships and interpret their objectives and feedback.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to drive projects forward and improve processes.
• Guide conceptual and aesthetic direction for campaigns, assets, and activations.
• Drive innovation and set industry standards, delivering scalable work.
• Thrive in deadline‑driven environments with a low‑ego, collaborative approach.
• Work across time zones with a global team on content formats (video, static, animation).
• Support well‑being of Monks culture and client relationships.

Skills

Design & art direction

Deadline‑driven

Branding

Client presentation

Cross‑functional collaboration

Tools

Figma

Adobe Creative Suite

Slack

Job description

Please note that we will never request payment or bank account information at any stage of the recruitment process. As we continue to grow our teams, we urge you to be cautious of fraudulent job postings or recruitment activities that misuse our company name and information. Please protect your personal information during any recruitment process. While Monks may contact potential candidates via LinkedIn, all applications must be submitted through our official website monks.com/careers.

About the Role

As a Senior Art Director for one of the largest automotive companies in the world, you'll partner with copywriters, account managers, creative directors, strategists, and other creatives to deliver a variety of compelling materials. A fast and flexible go‑getter, you thrive on new opportunities and possess a natural aptitude for collaboration. You maintain exceptionally high standards, elevating the craft of design and art direction, inspiring both yourself and your team to achieve impactful results. You excel at crafting visually engaging, strategically‑informed, and pixel‑perfect designs across the account. Comfortable working both hands‑on and delegating to junior and production designers, you also excel at providing clear, concise feedback to colleagues. You bring a progressive creative instinct and positivity, working effectively in teams with a low‑ego approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the creative process from concept ideation to production, ensuring high-quality, consistent, and innovative work across all deliverables.
• Critique major deliverables, upholding the highest standards of creative excellence and ensuring alignment with client objectives.
• Confidently present work alongside Creative Directors during client reviews, effectively communicating creative vision and elevating brand expression.
• Cultivate strong client relationships, actively listening to and understanding their vision, objectives, and feedback.
• Embrace a hands‑on approach, seamlessly collaborating with cross‑functional teams to drive projects forward and proactively identify areas for improvement.
• Guide the conceptual and aesthetic direction of campaigns, asset creation, experiential activations, and design projects.
• Drive innovation and creativity, setting new industry standards and ensuring work is consistently smart, impactful, and scalable.
• Thrive in a dynamic, deadline‑driven environment, effectively prioritizing tasks and maintaining a poised and professional demeanor.
• Collaborate seamlessly across time zones with a global team, supporting both local and international initiatives.
• Partner with designers, animators, and other creatives to develop engaging content across multiple formats, including videos, static posts, and animations.
• Demonstrate a genuine commitment to the well‑being of Monks' culture, its people, and its clients.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of design and art direction experience in advertising and marketing.
• Thrive under pressure, adapt to changing priorities, and consistently meet tight deadlines.
• Collaborate effectively with creative leads and copywriters, developing on‑brand, strategically sound designs that meet brief requirements.
• Present work with compelling rationale, demonstrating poise, professionalism, and clear communication skills, particularly when interacting with senior leaders and clients.
• Combine creative and analytical thinking, asking insightful questions and critically assessing ideas from a conceptual standpoint.
• Experience crafting brand style guides to ensure consistency across all touchpoints.
• Contribute constructively to strategic and creative discussions throughout the entire project lifecycle, from conception to production.
• Experience in the automotive and/or production industries is highly desired.
• A versatile, contemporary, digital‑centric portfolio showcasing a proven track record of excellence across multiple formats (digital, video, social, etc.) is required.
• Proficiency in industry‑standard design and collaboration software, including Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and Slack.

Your Work Style

• Exceptionally detail‑oriented and organized, with an unwavering commitment to pixel‑perfect precision.
• Self‑motivated, resilient, and adaptable, thriving in fast‑paced, dynamic environments.
• Adept at handling quick turnarounds effectively as part of a dedicated, collaborative team.
• Constructive, solution‑oriented, and client‑centric, balancing a strong work ethic with a positive, enjoyable approach.
• Manage projects efficiently, minimizing friction and maximizing productivity.
• Open to feedback, providing clear rationale and readily offering alternative solutions. Seamlessly transition between projects and brands.
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively within a team setting.
• Driven to become a subject matter expert with a strong understanding of related creative disciplines.
• Possess excellent problem‑solving skills, meticulous attention to detail, and a proactive approach to delivering high‑quality work on time.
• Stay ahead of the curve with a finger on the pulse of emerging creative trends, cultures, and technologies.
• Committed to upholding equity, inclusion, and accessibility in all aspects of the role.

Working Conditions

• The role may involve long hours and tight deadlines, requiring flexibility and a commitment to maintaining high standards under pressure. Collaboration with teams across different locations and time zones is frequently necessary.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At Monks, we believe in fostering an environment where a diversity of perspectives can thrive. We proactively work to design hiring processes that promote equity and inclusion while mitigating bias. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage qualified applicants, from all backgrounds, who are excited to contribute to our mission.

Monks may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on job‑related factors, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Return to Office Policy

This role is subject to our Return to Office (RTO) policy. If you reside within a commutable distance of one of our office locations, you will be expected to work from the office a set number of days per week. The specific details, including the number of required office days, will be in accordance with the company’s then‑current RTO policy, which is subject to change from time to time.

Salary Range: $80,000 – $90,000 CAD