Assistant Creative Director Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

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Position Overview
The creative director's primary responsibility is to provide creative solutions on how to best represent concepts and materials visually for the agency and the brand. This position serves as the gatekeeper of the brand, and maintains visual standards of the official brand to produce brochures, handouts, posters, print and web ads, social media and website graphics, broadcast materials, special event identities and materials, branded apparel, branded merchandise and office supplies, and other promotional materials. This position uses computer software to design materials with text and images to create visually appealing and informative products for the organization's consumers and customers. Talk to clients to determine best creative approach and style. The creative director leads the creative development process for all branded materials and advertisements, cultivating text graphics and other materials needed, and formatting them into a finished product meeting organizational standards. Coordinates production with external vendors to ensure projects are produced accurately. The creative director must be aware of project budgets and must strive to produce the highest quality work possible in the most cost-effective way. The creative director also continues to develop visual strategies for new projects as the scope of the brand standards expand. This position is also responsible for contributing an effective vision on how the brand can continue to evolve.
Schedule:

• Working Monday through Friday 8:00-5:00pm, Eastern Time Zone preferred.

• Leads and oversees creative design process for all branded materials; makes recommendations on artistic direction, visual design and marketing appeal.
• Collaborates with internal clients on collateral needs, including messaging, design, budget and deadline.
• Researches to understand the demographics and audience of the user of the created materials.
• Plans and designs publications for organizational use, gathering existing materials or working with designers/writers to create new artwork and/or text.
• Completes graphic design needs for the organization, including: Prepares layouts and processes pictures using InDesign software, Photoshop tools and various other graphic designing tools to fit the context of the publication; determines the specifications for the text to be printed; checks proofs, or preliminary layouts, for errors and makes corrections as appropriate; and formalizes formatted documents for printing or electronic publication.
• Maintains deadlines and updates creative on a timely basis; submits creative for publication.
• Manages vendor relationships with print and mail distribution companies. Seeks competitive bids for all print projects to reduce marketing expenses and meet budget.
• Monitors materials produced by staff to ensure they meet brand standards. Creates brand-compliant templates to assist staff when producing materials.
• Leads conceptual and design solutions for expanding appropriate iterations of the brand, and design components of the brand.
• Develops and maintains brand standards guide and policy documents.
• Openly displays cooperation in adhering to administrative policies and supports the philosophy, goals, and values of the organization.
• Demonstrates a time-conscious attitude and consistently strives to use time effectively by completing assignments in an efficient, well-organized, and self-directed manner.
• Shares information, knowledge, concerns, and expertise through staff meetings, in-services, and assisting in the orientation and education of new employees.

• Bachelors degree in related field (advertising, creative writing, graphic design, fine arts, or visual communications). Masters degree in advertising, design, marketing, or publishing preferred.

• Minimum of eight years' experience in graphic design or art direction. Must be comfortable managing other junior staff to help complete creative projects that meet brand standards.
• Must possess portfolio demonstrating a strong, consistent graphic design ability, and must have a good eye for how graphics and text will look to create projects and collateral that are visually appealing, clear, and audience appropriate. A mix of creative and analytical skills is essential. Must have advanced sense of typography and color as it relates to a larger brand.
• Must be able to maintain brand standards in visual materials, and be a leader in maintaining those standards when working with other staff.
• Must demonstrate exceptional communication skills; the ability to talk through concepts for project layout with key audiences (internal and external clients) while being able to listen to ideas and articulate suggestions for improvement.
• Must demonstrate strong computer skills; use of computer software for creation and editing of design projects, formatting text, and graphics.
• Must have a good understanding of 4-color printing and how to prepare final files for accurate reproduction. Must be comfortable managing relationships and collaborating with various vendors for print and marketing projects.
• Must be exceptionally detail-oriented; paying careful attention to details such as margins, font sizes, and overall appearance and accuracy of work when designing and reviewing design projects.
• Must be a highly organized project manager; working under strict deadlines, must be good at scheduling and prioritizing tasks in order to have projects ready for deadlines. Must be conscious of project budgets and timelines.

• Should have excellent understanding of design software such as InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat.
• Should have excellent understanding of 4-color printing production techniques and common issues.
• Should be able to contribute "big picture" conceptual thinking to continually build the brand.
• Ideally can provide proofreading, editorial, and copywriting support on Marketing projects.

• HSA and PPO insurance with HSA or FSA options (Blue Cross Blue Shield)
• Dental insurance (Delta Dental)
• Vision insurance (EyeMed)
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Company-paid life insurance
• 401(k) plan available two months after start date
• Company 401(k) matching for up to 50% of your contribution, up to 6% of your compensation