Art Director (Chico's)

Chico's FAS, Inc DBA Chico's Retail Services, Inc; Fort Myers (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

KnitWell Group seeks an experienced Art Director to lead brand-right creative across print and omni-channel marketing from Fort Myers, FL. This hands-on role requires expertise in typography, layout, and production-ready design, coordinating with Creative Directors, senior art directors, and partners to deliver high-quality campaigns.

Ideally you bring 5+ years in fashion/retail luxury design, extensive print experience, and mastery of InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or equivalent.
• 5+ years of professional design experience in fashion/retail/luxury.
• Extensive print design experience with catalogs and direct mail.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator).
• Strong typography, layout, and design craftsmanship.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute print marketing assets including catalogs, direct mail, retail signage, in-store materials.
• Translate briefs into on-brand production-ready designs.
• Ensure typography, color management, file prep for production.
• Collaborate with Creative Directors, Designers, Copywriters, Merchandising, Marketing.
• Present design concepts and rationale to stakeholders.
• Manage multiple projects in a high-volume environment.

Skills

Brand strategy understanding

Typography & layout

Creative direction collaboration

Deadline-driven

Education

Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design or Visual Communications

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Figma

Job description

About us Established in 1983 in a small Sanibel Island boutique filled with artfully stylish pieces, Chico’s has evolved to inspire accomplished women to embrace and express their individuality through effortless chic and unique styles. We’re dedicated to making women feel confident and beautiful. Build your career with a team that empowers you.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Art Director partners with Creative Leaders: Creative Director and Senior Art Directors to execute elevated, brand-right creative across print and omni-channel marketing while maintaining the integrity of the brand. This is a highly hands-on design role requiring exceptional print expertise, strong typography and layout skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. The ideal candidate is proactive, collaborative, fashion-savvy, and able to translate established creative direction into compelling, production-ready marketing materials.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and execute print marketing assets including direct mail, catalogs, retail signage, in-store marketing, promotional collateral, and supporting omni-channel materials.
• Translate approved creative briefs and direction into elevated, on-brand, production-ready designs that support seasonal campaigns and business objectives.
• Prepare accurate files ready to pass to Production Artists, ensuring proper typography, layout, color management, image quality, file specifications, and overall production accuracy.
• Apply and maintain brand standards consistently across all creative executions while ensuring exceptional attention to detail.
• Collaborate with Creative Directors, Senior Art Directors, Graphic Designers, Copywriters, Merchandising, Marketing, Production Artists, and external partners to deliver high-quality creative.
• Present and articulate design concepts, recommendations, and rationale to creative and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Proactively develop thoughtful, creative solutions that elevate the work while supporting business objectives and established brand direction.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously in a high-volume environment, effectively prioritizing competing deadlines, revisions, and shifting business needs.
• Incorporate feedback efficiently while maintaining creative integrity, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Organize files and creative assets following established team workflows and production standards.
• Share best practices and support junior designers and production partners to maintain a high standard of creative excellence.
• Stay informed of trends in fashion, luxury, retail, typography, editorial design, and visual communications, leveraging industry insights, competitive inspiration, and a strong visual point of view to inform design decisions and continuously elevate creative output.
• This position may be found in multiple brands. Some duties may vary from brand to brand.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• 5+ years of professional design experience within a fashion, retail, agency, or luxury creative environment.
• Extensive print design experience is required.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in catalogs, direct mail, editorial layouts, retail marketing, in-store signage, and other print collateral.
• Experience developing production-ready creative assets, with a strong understanding of print production, prepress, color management, file preparation, and vendor-ready artwork.
• Knowledge of retouching workflows, including image markup, review, and approval.
• Experience with laydown photo shoots, including production planning and on-set art direction.
• Agency experience or experience in a fast-paced retail creative environment is strongly preferred.
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Adobe InDesign (required), Photoshop, and Illustrator; working knowledge of Figma preferred.
• Strong understanding of typography, layout, visual hierarchy, and design craftsmanship with a keen eye for detail and accuracy.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize competing deadlines, and adapt to changing business needs in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and solutions-oriented, with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to anticipate challenges.
• Strong understanding of fashion, retail, editorial, and graphic design trends, with a refined aesthetic and customer-focused design sensibility.
• Excellent presentation, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to clearly articulate creative decisions and build effective cross-functional partnerships.
• Positive, collaborative team player who builds strong working relationships and contributes to an inspiring, creative team culture.

#LI-CS4

Location: Corporate FAS Retail Services - Fort Myers, FL 33928

Position Type: Regular/Full time

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Hiring decisions are based upon a candidate's qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration and are made without regard to sex (including pregnancy), race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by applicable law. The Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position you are seeking or to participate in the application process, please contact [e-mail]. The Company will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified applicants or employees, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the operations of the Company’s business. The Company will not revoke or alter a job offer based on an applicant’s request for reasonable accommodation.

KnitWell Group, a specialty retail operating company, comprises some of the most iconic brands in America – Ann Taylor, Chico's, Haven Well Within, Lane Bryant, LOFT, Soma, Talbots, White House Black Market. Individually, our brands are unique and strong. Together, we are powerful. Our common thread is our commitment to create exceptional products, provide memorable experiences, and achieve superior results. Our associates are innovators who thrive through collaboration and are dedicated to excellence. At the heart of it all are the customers we serve. We are dedicated to creating fashion that not only looks good but also makes our customers feel good.