Associate Creative Director, Global 2D Retail - Sol de Janeiro

The position will report to the Executive Director, Global Retail.

 Role Overview

This role will lead and be responsible for all 2D Print and Digital assets for our retail touchpoints. This role will balance both conceptual and executional work and will lead the development of 2D Creative work that is aligned with our forward-thinking brand goals. They will distill and adapt the relevant work from the Global Creative Category Leads and partner closely with the Global Visual Merchandising, Global Events, and Global Copy teams to outfit all Retail touchpoints with seasonal brand/ campaign visuals and 2D design systems that must always be both visually impactful and highly functional. This position will establish the graphic and video direction for all in-store assets and will be supported in execution by 2D Retail Designers across all markets.

The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of the Global retail landscape, lifestyle and behavioral trends and has proven experience aligning Global Creative Direction with impactful In-Store Visual. They must also have a keen understanding of the importance of Messaging Hierarchies to ensure the consumer is being served up the right information at the right time along the consumer journey. This person is a big-picture thinker balanced with a robust executional background and a solutions-oriented mindset.

Key Responsibilities:

GLOBAL 2D RETAIL DEVELOPMENT:

• Concept, develop and oversee GTM execution of all print and digital assets for Global Retail touchpoints. Ensure brand design standards are upheld across all touch points and that executional teams are set up for success through the development of work that is well planned and scalable.
• Support Global Creative Category leads in concept approval phase to adapt Key Visual and tertiary creative direction to ensure the proposed design systems will effectively scale to meet in-store and eventing needs.
• Organize, strategize, and formalize the delivery of 2D Retail assets so that executional teams are set up for success via guidelines and other resources.
• With Global Visual Merchandising and Global Events counterparts, optimize collaboration across departments – identifying and implementing new sets of guidelines and usage case directives that may be required to establish a more seamless workflow for all teams.
• Partner with Project Management teams to ensure work is delivered to executional teams according to their various market needs.
• Develop, maintain, and deliver updated versions of Evergreen Retail Offerings and usage guidelines to the highest possible standards – continually optimizing them in response to market learnings and brand evolution.
• Support the development of Global Visual Merchandising and Global Event Guidelines and own the release of Global 2D Retail Guidelines that support the strategy, development, and executional direction behind all print and digital components of Retail touchpoints.
• Ensure all Regional partners and vendors are upholding brand standards throughout executions and troubleshoot with the regions when needed. Plan and execute store visits in conjunction with Global and Regional Retail teams.
• In partnership with Global Visual Merchandising and Global Event counterparts, publish post-mortem recaps to outline key learnings for future implementation.
• Art direct in-store and eventing specific photo shoots. Partner closely with Global Category Leads to ensure work ladders up to overall brand/product category requirements. Prepare shot lists, work with photographer and producer on all details of execution.
• Pro-actively improve teams' understandings of Brand Objectives and lead with authority and dignity.
• Stay on top of all visual trends and maintain best practices – both for the industry and by touchpoint

LEADERSHIP FUNCTIONS

• Foster a highly collaborative environment where design work and output is in lock step with Global Brand while adequately meeting needs of Commercial Business Objectives.
• Liase with Global stakeholders to ensure that regional business needs are successfully captured within Global directives.
• Mentor and inspire team to perform at the top of their abilities and foster growth in the overall collective ability of the team to think differently and more broadly about their work.
• Vet, Manage and Train Vendors and Agency Partners on Brand Guidelines and Brand Standards.
• Champion creative problem solving and develop a reputation for being a collaborative and solutions-oriented team.
• Meet all timelines and ensure delivery of executions for stakeholder review. Manage expectations cross-functionally when timelines are not favorable to proper processes and executional standards.
• Ensure Global stakeholders have enough time to review and approve all work created outside of Global Directives.
• Manage various fast-paced workstreams with confidence.

Job Requirements/Qualifications:

• BA/BS/BFA degree in Graphic Design or similar.
• 10+ years' experience working in relevant field. Beauty experience, required.
• Software Requirements: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
• A deep knowledge of print design and print production.
• Expertise in branding and graphic storytelling within the retail environment.
• Understanding of vendor specifications and technical drawings.
• Proficient in Art Direction of all kinds, from Graphic Adaptations to Ground Up Concept Development.
• Master graphic technician: concerned with resolutions, color and size accuracies, production values.
• Career track record that shows the candidate has a strong ability to lead teams – of direct reports and cross-functionally.
• Strong communication skills with ability to articulate ideas clearly and concisely – ability to provide and receive constructive feedback that is necessary to improve designs.
• Ability to be flexible and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be highly collaborative with ability to understand the objectives of all cross-functional partners and work toward a design that meets that need and upholds the creative integrity of the brand.
• Must be located in NYC and Surrounding Areas.
• This role is a temp-to-perm opportunity. Well-qualified individuals seeking to counter a freelance trial will be asked to complete a Test Project