Art Director (contractor)

Esrock Partners; Burr Ridge (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Esrock Partners in Burr Ridge, IL seeks an experienced art director with B2B expertise for contractor capacity. The role centers on creating compelling visual concepts, guiding design directions, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful campaigns.

The right candidate will translate strategic briefs into polished, print and digital work, present ideas clearly, and mentor junior designers while driving projects to successful completion.

Qualifications

• Ability to develop strategically sound, relevant ideas based on a creative brief.
• Ability to transform concepts into design using typography, color, imagery and composition.
• Experience presenting concepts and design rationale to clients and peers.

Responsibilities

• Conceive and execute design aligned with strategy.
• Manage projects from initial concept through production with limited supervision.
• Maintain graphic resources and samples; uphold high visual standards.
• Stay informed on new techniques and trends in design.
• Collaborate with Creative Directors and CoE team on solutions.

Skills

Conceptual thinker

Designer

Strong presenter

Collaborator

Relevant curator

Entrepreneurial

Mentor

Inspiration

Job description

Esrock Partners is seeking experienced agency art directors, with B2B expertise, to support our team in a contractor capacity.

A bout the Role

The primary role of an art director is to create visual concepts, using various forms and a variety of tools to communicate ideas that can inspire, inform, or influence a specific target(s) to engage with a product or service. In addition to the primary function, there are several other areas of responsibility that an art director needs to be comfortable with.

• Conceptual thinker: Ability to develop strategically sound, relevant, and impactful ideas based on a well-executed creative brief.
• Designer: Ability to take a concept and breathe life into it through a well-thought-out and contemporary design plan – having the ability to identify and execute using the best typographic, color, photographic and compositional choices.
• Strong presenter: Ability to present both concept and design to peers and clients alike – using both strategic and design rationale to convey the idea.
• Collaborator: Ability to work closely with all members of the creative and other Center of Excellence (CoE) team members in order to develop the best possible creative solutions in the most efficient manner possible.
• Relevant curator: Ability to understand and speak in an educated way about current design trends and digital technologies. Have an understanding of what’s new, on-trend and relevant in our world and how it might be applied to our clients work.
• Entrepreneurial: Ability to provide insight into the time, costs and resources it will take to develop a specific project. Be mindful of budgets, resources and delegate when necessary. Ability to manage multiple projects at the same time, while maintaining open lines of communication for when a project may be delayed or over budget.
• Mentor: Ability to provide thoughtful direction and advice to more inexperienced or junior designers while not taking over ownership.
• Inspiration: Ability to find the positive in all the work we do. Approach each project with the same attention to detail and craftsmanship in order to deliver best-in-class creative solutions. Be a positive force for the team and the agency.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

• Conceives and executes design consistent with the agreed-upon strategy
• Takes a project from concept development through production with limited supervision
• Maintains personal graphic resources, visual data and samples
• Maintains consistently high graphic standards and is aware of new techniques and trends in the industry
• Reviews prepress files, for accuracy before production
• Presents creative ideas and techniques to Creative Director / ACD.
• Works with ACDs on every phase of work from concept development, concept execution, electronic prepress through print production