Creative Manager

Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc.; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. is seeking a Creative Manager to lead our brand governance and creative execution. You will guide visual identity across recruitment marketing, internal comms, client pursuits, events, and digital experiences, mentoring designers and coordinating with external partners.

The role requires a strong portfolio in branding and design systems, proficiency with the Adobe suite, WordPress, and video tools, plus the ability to drive campaigns with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, fine arts, visual communications, or a related discipline.
• 6+ years of graphic design experience.
• Management and/or mentorship experience.
• Familiarity with video production, motion graphics, and web design.
• Understanding of marketing funnels, digital platforms, and content strategy.
• Strong portfolio across branding, design systems, and campaigns.
• Appreciation for processes, proofing, and error-checking.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Proficiency in InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop; experience with Premiere Pro, After Effects, and WordPress.
• Active member of the design, marketing, and communications community.
• Experience coordinating with third-party vendors and preparing files for web/large-format printing.
• Comfortable coordinating with video editors on motion graphics.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative vision and maintain brand standards across channels.
• Translate marketing objectives into creative strategies and campaigns.
• Develop and manage a centralized brand toolkit and asset library.
• Design assets for social media, email campaigns, direct mail, events, and more.
• Collaborate with marketing, communications, media/production, and leadership.
• Coach and mentor designers and marketing teammates.
• Collaborate with external agencies, freelancers, or production partners.
• Provide art direction for shoots and site visits.
• Explore and apply AI-enabled tools to improve ideation and production while preserving quality.
• Share best practices and stay current with design trends.

Skills

Branding

Design thinking

Mentorship

Creative direction

Campaign ideas

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in graphic design, fine arts, visual communications, or a related discipline

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe After Effects

WordPress

Job description

Emery Sapp & Sons (ESS) is all about owning what you do. We're a 100% employee-owned multi-faceted contractor who thrives on delivering complex, heavy civil projects by developing innovative infrastructure solutions.

We're currently searching for a Creative Manager to join our marketing team. This role bridges high-level brand governance with day-to-day creative execution, requiring a keen eye for design, application of digital and traditional media, a collaborative mentality, and the ability to manage multiple stakeholders across a diverse business ecosystem. This role is responsible for leading the visual expression of the ESS brand across every touchpoint — from recruitment marketing and internal communications to client pursuits, major campaigns, events, digital experiences, and executive communications. You’ll elevate the quality of our creative work while helping our designers, photographers/videographers, and marketing teammates produce their best work.

What you'll be doing:

• Manage and maintain company brand standards and brand systems, ensuring graphic elements are consistently applied across all internal and external mediums
• Ensure all creative assets align with the company's strategic goals and vision
• Translate marketing objectives into creative strategies and campaigns; lead creative concept development from ideation through execution
• Develop and maintain a centralized brand toolkit and asset library for internal and external use
• Design a wide range of creative assets and offer creative insights on a variety of internal and external initiatives and campaigns – including social media, email campaigns, direct mail, branded merchandise, event materials, motion graphics, and more
• Work cross-functionally with marketing, communications, media/production, and operational leadership
• Coach and mentor graphic designers and other marketing teammates
• Work with individuals across a variety of teams to develop creative solutions for our company, partners, and clients
• Coordinate with external agencies, freelancers, or production partners as needed
• Provide art direction on photoshoots, construction jobsites, and other shoots
• Explore and reasonably leverage AI-enable creative tools to improve ideation, production, and efficiency while maintaining brand quality
• Provide best practices and encourage creativity with all marketing team members, staying abreast of and applying design trends
• Attend company events and represent the firm at industry events as needed

You're a good fit if:

• You hold a Bachelor's degree in graphic design, fine arts, visual communications, or a related discipline
• You have 6+ years of graphic design experience
• You have management and/or mentorship experience
• You have familiarity with video production, motion graphics, and web design
• You understand marketing funnels, digital platforms, and content strategy
• You have a strong creative portfolio showcasing expertise in branding, design systems, and campaign-worthy work across various media
• You approach design with passion and discipline
• You're a little obsessed with processes, proofing, and error-checking
• You thrive in both an independent and collaborative environment
• You are passionate about transforming ideas into clear, cohesive, and impactful campaigns
• You don't sweat it if you need to juggle concurrent projects with tight deadlines
• You is an absolute rockstar in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop
• You has routinely worked with third-party vendors and has experience preparing creative files for web and large-format printing
• You're an active member of the design, marketing, and communications community
• They play well with others and generally have a positive attitude
• You take initiative and drive projects
• Know a little about the A/E/C industry already? Bonus!
• Know about civil construction, too? Double bonus!
• You can navigate Adobe PremierPro, Adobe After Effects, and WordPress
• They dabble in video editing and motion graphics and/or have experience collaborating with video editors to create impactful motion graphics
• ¿Hablas español? We routinely translate our copy into Spanish. If you can write or QC Spanish content, that would be outstanding!

Location:

This team member will work out of the Kansas City, MO office located in the River Market district. Other office locations would be considered. Some regional travel may be required, including a few overnight stays here and there. ESS offers a comprehensive and competitive package including access to top-notch tech tools and flex time.