Art Director

Aquent; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Aquent is partnering with a leading beauty retailer to find a talented Art Director who will shape brand identity and lead concept development across channels. Reporting to the Senior Art Director, you will drive creative direction for multiple marketing programs and oversee design execution.

You will collaborate with Editorial, Visual Merchandising, Content Production, and Marketing teams to deliver 360-degree consumer experiences, mentor junior designers, and ensure campaigns stay cutting-edge

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of professional design experience, preferably with prior people management background.
• BA or BFA in Graphic Design or Communication Design preferred.
• Expert-level knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).
• Industry Focus: Background in retail, beauty, or fashion, with a strong grasp of current industry and design trends.
• Excellent presentation and communication abilities; strong organizational and time-management skills to juggle priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Execute creative direction for multiple marketing programs and report to Senior Art Director.
• Build brand identity and lead concept development/execution across all marketing channels.

Skills

People management

Leadership

Presentation

Communication

Time management

Education

BA/BFA in Graphic Design or Communication Design

Tools

Illustrator

Photoshop

InDesign

Job description

Marketing & Creative Partnerships

Our team at Aquent is partnering with a leading beauty retailer to find a talented Art Director. The brand’s marketing organization includes a strategic team of big thinkers and creatives who truly work interdependently. Whether supporting digital initiatives, planning loyalty programs, developing multi-pronged marketing strategies, writing copy, building exciting in-store experiences, or designing national advertising, this team is constantly finding ways to underscore their promise to make the beauty world feel accessible to everyone—and maintain their standing as an industry leader. The pace is fast, the learning is constant, and the creative possibilities are endless.

The Role:

In this role, you will execute creative direction for multiple marketing programs. Reporting to the Senior Art Director, you will be responsible for building brand identity and leading concept development/execution across all marketing channels.

Concept & Strategy:

Support the Senior Art Director in trend research and develop strategic marketing campaign concepts that deliver creative solutions to meet key business objectives.

Design & Visual Execution:

Build concept boards, photo briefs, and channel-agnostic designs to bring creative visions to life.

Photoshoots & Team Leadership:

Art direct photographers and stylists on set, manage project workflows, and mentor junior designers.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Partner closely with Editorial, Visual Merchandising, Content Production, and Marketing teams to deliver robust 360-degree consumer experiences.

Stakeholder Management:

Present creative solutions in various leadership settings and cultivate strong working relationships with cross-functional partners.

Core Values:

Demonstrate a passion for client service, innovation, expertise, teamwork, balance, respect, and proactive initiative.

Qualifications:

• Experience: 5–7 years of professional design experience, preferably with prior people management background.


• Education: BA or BFA in Graphic Design or Communication Design preferred.


• Technical Proficiency: Expert-level knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).


• Industry Focus: Background in retail, beauty, or fashion, with a strong grasp of current industry and design trends.


• Key Skills: Excellent presentation and communication abilities; strong organizational and time-management skills to juggle priorities in a fast-paced environment.

About the Client’s Culture & Work Environment:

The client’s North American operations are based in San Francisco, functioning as a dedicated support hub that empowers retail stores and digital platforms nationwide. Teams cater to customer needs through covetable product assortments, curated content, compelling storytelling, and smart strategy. It takes curious, confident individuals who aren’t afraid to disrupt the status quo and take calculated creative chances. The pace is fast, the assion is real, and the team operates on a forward-thinking mindset: if it’s not broken, fix it.

About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world’s biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits!

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We’re about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.