Reporting to AP, Marketing with dotted line report to SEG Group Creative Services Director, the Art Director is responsible for creative direction of:

• Visual branding of ESSENCE— strategize and execute a consistent, sophisticated branded image for ESSENCE that mirrors editorial and brand messaging—to be realized via sales and consumer facing materials including, but not limited to:
o Presentations; sell sheets/media kit; branded promotion pages and client/consumer mailings; signature events

• Client Advertorials/Comps—create effective advertorials that speak to clients’ brand yet work well within the ESSENCE quality editorial environment—finding the balance between client objectives and editorial objectives.

• Concept/Copy—While not responsible to create copy, Art Director must be able to articulate copy needs based on concept and objectives, and must be able to determine if copy is working effectively to communicate said objectives and concepts.

• Project management— Work with marketing partners and internal clients to create effective materials on deadline. Manage timelines, budgets, estimates. Hire freelance as needed and work with Group Creative Services Director to manage budget for same.

• Produce or oversee materials for ESSENCE Music Festival, including collateral, in-book ads, branded premiums, event signage as appropriate.

The successful candidate will have the following experience:
• A minimum of 5 years experience in marketing lifestyle/fashion/beauty magazines
• Strong creative concept skills
• Strong project/personnel management skills
• Ability to handle multiple projects and work under pressure
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to articulate concepts/ideas clearly and sell through designs to upper management
• A proven track record of strong creative ideas, staff/ freelance management skills

CRITERIA:
1. Ability to understand ESSENCE brand identity and translate brand voice visually in tone, message and feel to all brand materials
• Work with editorial creative director to identify visual vocabulary (fonts, images, layout dynamics) to extend editorial experience to materials
• Incorporate non-visual elements such as brand personality/voice into feel of materials further capture brand
• Be the brand evangelist—work as gatekeeper to ensure all brand materials meet ESSENCE brand standards

2. Ability to partner with marketing to achieve project objectives
• Collaborate as needed on creative ideas for brand promotions/client creative
• Have a clear and mutual understanding of objectives in order to best serve design and keep process streamlined
• Communicate to marketing partners when marketing objectives are not working with visual objectives, and work proactively with partners to find a solution
• Collaborate with marketing partners when an initial idea or objective can be further improved or innovated by design
• Partner pro-actively rather than implement dutifully

3. Ability to articulate copy needs based on concept and objectives, and determine if copy is working effectively to communicate said objectives and concepts
• Identity any issues where copy is hindering effective design or if copy could work more efficiently
1. Communicate design objectives to copywriter in advance so copy can be tailored to project needs; if not possible, communicate any copy changes needed to fit design or to improve messaging

4. Ability to spearhead/manage project start to finish
• Set up meetings with internal clients to determine scope of project/timelines
• Work with vendors/freelancers to see concept through to finished product
• Manage deadlines of project, work with marketing on timelines
1. Improve timely submission of in-book pages, submitting at least 90% on time to production, every month

5. Ability to manage staff whether freelance or permanent
• Communicate design objectives clearly and ensure they are carried out
• Set quality and brand standards, and make sure these are maintained
• Manage freelance budgets/needs
1. Plan strategically for projects quarter to quarter to maintain budget or anticipate any increase in need

Send resumes to: Jason_Kreuser@timeinc.com