Associate Creative Director Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

SUMMARY

DI exists to relieve the world of mediocre experiences and to create remarkable ones. Our people make the remarkable possible through an unwavering display of uncommon commitment each day.

Reporting directly to the assigned Executive Creative Director, the Creative Director works closely with clients and stakeholders to create original ideas during the ideation process and lead our creative team to bring them to life. Applying their expert knowledge of design processes, emerging technologies, digital activations, and content development, combined with research, this role will contribute by problem solving and presenting the right solution for each unique client.

The CD is an essential leader and role model within the Creative Studio, with a strong ability to bridge physical and digital experiences, ensuring work resonates across environments, platforms, and audiences.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES/FUNCTIONS may include but are not limited to:

• Lead, support and contribute to the project team's executed design solution and deliverable for assigned projects, including integrated physical and digital experience solutions
• Defines and holds project teams accountable for executing and delivering quality solutions efficiently within project deadlines, ensuring direction and feedback from project leadership is incorporated
• Leads client presentations and communications and ensures presentation meets DI standards before client meetings, with the ability to translate complex ideas into clear narratives for corporate audiences
• QA/QC solutions throughout a variety of Design Phases: Conceptual, Schematic, Design Development and Construction Documentation
• Provide leadership to project teams, sets project-based expectation and requirements around design fidelity as it pertains to the Design phases: Conceptual, Schematic, Design Development and Production
• Consistently ensures deadlines are being met and the work is within client expectations
• Interface directly with outside team counterparts and internal departments to identify issues, track those issues and collectively develop solutions
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (technology, production, content) to ensure seamless execution of digital activations and media-driven experiences
• Consistently and proactively exudes a “go where needed’ attitude and outlook on role
• Actively develop project plans while considering available resources and project budgets
• Ability to maintain a flexible travel schedule and to travel on short notice based on project and client needs
• Stewards and manages process improvements and best practices within the department
• Articulates and shares information and knowledge as a DI subject matter expert
• Champions, mentors, and supports the success of Creative Studio team members
• Provides leadership, guidance, and development to direct reports and documents performance expectations and challenges as needed
• Holds weekly one-on-one touch bases with direct reports to review project assignments, status and any areas of concern

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Demonstrate a strong proficiency with design programs (Adobe Suite), research skills (for storytelling) and digital or hand sketching abilities in order to convey design concepts
• Experience developing content-driven experiences and storytelling across digital and physical platforms
• Familiarity with interactive technologies, media systems, generative AI tools, and digital engagement strategies
• Understanding of UX/UI principles and user-centered design approaches is a plus
• Consistently shares their skills and knowledge to support their direct reports and the Creative Studio team members
• Ability to give direction and constructive critique and document situations as needed
• Is consistently and proactively an exemplary team player and role model
• Consistently provides leadership in the midst of adversity
• Maintains quality control of design documents by all Creative Studio team members
• Consistently demonstrates development of personal time management and multi-tasking skills and provides direction and assistance to team members to do the same
• Demonstrates independent thinking, solutions and autonomy with day-to-day tasks, and project assignments
• Possess a general knowledge of material and fabrication methods relevant to design
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship management, including managing and mentoring multiple project teams
• Experience with business development, estimating, writing proposals and creative briefs, particularly with corporate or enterprise client environments
• Actively contributes to recruiting and team development for Creative Studio in collaboration with designated People Team members
• Champion and contribute to Creative Studio vision plans

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.F.A) in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Industrial Design, Interior Architecture, Technology, or related experience design field OR equivalent work experience as evidenced by a professional portfolio of work
• At least 10 years’ experience in a creative director, experiential design lead, creative technology lead or branded environments design role required with proven leadership skills
• Demonstrated experience working with corporate clients, brands, or enterprise organizations
• Background that includes exposure to technology-driven experiences, digital activations, or content production workflows strongly preferred
• Excellent time management skills and critical attention to detail at all times
• Proven written and verbal communication skills with clients and team members, including delivery of constructive feedback as needed
  • Sound judgement, business sensibility, and discretion required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, climb, crouch, or crawl
• The employee must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus
• Employee must be able to talk and hear

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Due to our onsite Fabrication process, the work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles and outside weather conditions.

INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR TEAM?

Permission to play at DI starts with the ability to be a team player, possess a positive attitude while under a tight deadline and demonstrate an uncommon commitment to your work. Please visit our website (www.dimin.com) to see some of the amazing work we do!

This is a salary (exempt) position. DI offers a full benefit package including Medical, Dental and Vision insurance along with Short and Long Term Disability, Life Insurance and Supplemental Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity. Additionally, we offer a 401(k) with a match, Health Savings Account match, Paid Time Off (PTO), 7 paid holidays plus an employee chosen Floating Holiday annually, and paid Parental Leave.

In 2018, DI incorporated the Great Game of Business principles into the way we do things. The program is designed to create a business of business people, provide transparency into company performance and directly tie daily behavior to impact DIs performance. GGOB allows for the potential of quarterly bonuses as company goals are achieved.

Please submit a cover letter, resume and salary requirements. No phone calls please. For more information about working at DI and a full list of available opportunities, please visit https://dimin.com/about/careers.