Managing Consultant, Art Director

Designer Jobs; Knoxville (TN); Hybrid; USD 79,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Parental leave

Healthcare

401(k)

Job summary

ERM Group in Knoxville, TN is seeking an Art Director to provide creative leadership across client engagements, digital experiences, and sustainability communications. You will lead design teams, mentor designers, and own projects from concept to final delivery with strategic alignment.

The role blends hands‑on design with client collaboration, timelines management, and growth of the design practice. Ideal candidates hold a bachelor’s in graphic design and 4–6+ years of experience, with 2+ years

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or equivalent experience.
• 4–6+ years of professional graphic design experience.
• 2+ years of leadership experience.
• Agency experience preferred; demonstrated senior design capability.
• Portfolio demonstrating digital, print, interactive, and branding work.
• Strong understanding of typography and page layout.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop designers; set expectations and support growth for capabilities and careers.
• Own projects from early concept through final delivery, ensuring strategic alignment and high‑quality execution.
• Present design work on client calls, answer questions, and provide strategic insight.
• Help set and manage client design project schedules.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop sales opportunities tied to design, including preparing estimates and contributing to proposals.

Skills

Design leadership

Team leadership

Client communication

Mentorship

Collaboration

Attention to detail

DEI&B awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in graphic design

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Figma

InDesign

CSS

HTML

Mac OS

Microsoft Office

Slack

Teams

Monday.com

Workiva

Job description

ERM Group is seeking an Art Director to provide creative leadership across client engagements, digital experiences, and sustainability communications.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop graphic designers; set expectations and support growth for capabilities and careers
• Provide clear direction, feedback, and career development input across projects
• Partner with client teams and clients on creative, engaging ways to leverage communications in the digital space
• Operate effectively in a fast‑paced environment with shifting priorities and tight timelines
• Balance multiple in‑flight projects while understanding priorities and project parameters
• Own projects from early concept through final delivery, ensuring strategic alignment and high‑quality execution
• Collaborate with leadership to develop sales opportunities tied to design, including preparing estimates and contributing to proposals
• Lead by example through hands‑on design, collaboration, and creative problem‑solving
• Build trusted internal and external relationships
• Research and report on design trends to the design team and broader organization
• Support recruiting and onboarding efforts
• Present design work on client calls, answer questions, and provide strategic insight
• Help set and manage client design project schedules
• Oversee existing design rules and processes with the design team

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or equivalent experience
• 4-6+ years of professional graphic design experience
• 2+ years of leadership experience
• Agency experience preferred; demonstrated senior design capability
• Strength in people leadership
• Portfolio demonstrating digital, print, interactive, and branding work
• Strong understanding of design principles, typography, and page layout
• Extreme attention to detail with proven quality control
• Interest in collaborating with writers, strategists, and digital designers
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients and lead design‑focused discussions
• Self‑motivated, flexible, able to multitask and meet shifting deadlines
• Collaborative approach and investment in team success
• Open to input and feedback from colleagues, creatives, and clients
• Ability to work extended hours when necessary
• Conscientious with high attention to detail
• Comfort with digital strategies and best practices, with interest in new ways to engage users
• Eagerness to expand and grow as a creative professional
• Strong interpersonal skills, including diplomacy, tact, assertiveness, and the ability to manage up
• Ability to handle conflict and manage difficult conversations internally and externally
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast‑paced environment
• Integrates Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B) into leadership culture

Technologies

• Mac OS
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Figma
• Microsoft Office
• Slack
• Teams
• Monday.com
• CSS
• HTML
• Workiva
• InDesign

Benefits

• Paid time off (vacation, sick, and floating holidays)
• Parental leave
• Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance
• 401(k)
• Other applicable benefits to eligible employees

Preferred

• Marketing, communications, and advertising experience
• Ability to communicate complex information to internal and external stakeholders
• Experience estimating design budgets
• Familiarity with AI design tools
• Data and infographic design experience
• Experience with major social and digital engagement platforms
• Accessibility experience for websites and PDFs
• Experience with multi‑page editorial layout design (annual/sustainability reports, books, magazines)
• Solid understanding of UX/UI design for digital experiences
• Knowledge of CSS and HTML
• Retouching capabilities
• Experience managing outside vendors, including design, photography, video, developers, and printing
• Video and animation production
• Illustration
• 3D rendering
• Working knowledge of Workiva and InDesign integration
• Sustainability experience
• Consulting experience

Location and Work Model

• Knoxville, TN (hybrid)
• Client‑facing role may work remotely within Eastern or Central time zones or in a hybrid model
• Preference for three days in person near the Knoxville office

Compensation

• Anticipated annual base pay: $79,000 - $93,100 (USD)