Full Job Description
POSITION TITLE: Creative Services Director
REPORTS TO: VP Brand Management
SUPERVISES: Exhibits Manager, Graphics Manager, Contracted Creative personnel
EXEMPT OR NON-EXEMPT: Exempt
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Creative Services Director develops concepts and creative briefs for campaigns and projects defining the visual and conceptual values as well as the scope of the jobs. This person is responsible for the Creative Department business plans, projects, budgets, and schedules. Managing creative staff and outside consultants, the Creative Services Director schedules creative development and traffic to manage work flow and projects, ensuring all creative projects are produced in an efficient, cost effective, and timely manner.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Client Focus/Collaboration:
- Provide creative services to individuals and departments (clients) requiring creative materials for projects which support the organization directly.
- Assist all departments in support of marketing plans, aligning team priorities with business objectives to deliver high-quality work on time and on budget.
- Responsible for vetting all vendors and contractors to meet Clearwater Marine Aquariums policies and procedures.
Strategic Planning:
- Work with senior leadership to develop and oversee Master Annual Creative Department business plans and schedules for budgets, development, and production of creative assets for entire organizations framework needs.
- Utilize independent judgment and discretion to create a vison for a world class guest experience and advocacy for the organizations mission, vision, and work.
- Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to sudden alterations in project timeline or budget.
- Research and report industry directions, competitive landscape, and creative trend directions. Attend applicable trade shows and conferences appropriate to CMAs brand, product development and offering.
- Responsible for creating and managing annual Creative Department budgets and expenses; creates detailed budget reports and conducts budget planning.
Brand and Quality Assurance:
- Maintain and manage up-to-date brand, logo, assets, and style guides. Provide style guides and assets to other departments to ensure uniform and consistent brand and logo management.
- Ensure proper use and consistency of brand assets by monitoring use throughout the organization and outside the organization.
- Maintain the highest standard of quality for all creative deliverables while promoting CMAs mission and work.
- Utilize independent judgment and discretion to prioritize and problem solve to maintain progress towards project goals and delivery of quality products in a timely manner.
- Maintains development aspects of vendor relations and communications with product standards, transfer of accurate creative production and specifications and ensures on time development.
- Creates or oversees the creation of production specifications outlining accurate details of products content, make, construction and production details.
Creative Direction:
- Uses independent judgment and discretion to provide creative direction and oversight to staff and contractors for all on site design projects, campaigns, and events.
- Contribute to campaigns, programs, and exhibits to ensure Clearwater Marine Aquariums vision for the project is upheld.
- Utilize original graphics, illustration, photography, copy, content for websites, social media, print, merchandise, exhibits, and all other marketing and educational materials required.
Creative Project Management:
- Track all process and projects to ensure cost and time lines are required.
- Oversee and manage the conceptualization, planning, design, production, implementation, and distribution of all creative deliverables.
- Deliver materials ensuring quality on all creative projects are met and produced in an efficient, cost effective and timely manner.
- Manage procedures, policies and protocols to ensure efficiency in the process.
- Maintain and manage a list of contract sources for all disciplines required to maintain required creative work flow and production of projects. Outsource projects as needed to maintain organizations needs and budget.
- Provide outlines (briefs) on all projects based on requests with direction from department management including, schedules, and expected deliverables from the creative team
Communication:
- Communicate department plans, objectives, updates, status reports, schedules, and other materials to management and department heads on a regular basis.
- Maintain vendor and contract working relationships by communicating expectations, following up on progress and providing feedback on results.
- Provide Creative Services staff clear and accurate direction daily to ensure all creative projects are produced in an efficient, cost effective and timely manner.
- Communicate with contractors ensuring all creative projects are produced in an efficient, cost effective and timely manner.
Team Leadership:
- Responsible for managing the creative departments outputs for: graphic arts, exhibits, programs, events, signage, advertising art, digital platforms, and website art, ecommerce art, print media, billboards, publications, signage, way finding, marketing and sales presentations, product art, packaging, promotions, catalogs, line sheets and more as needed.
- Ensure the department remains a work place of choice.
- Provide a positive, safe, inclusive and creative working environment.
- Encourage growth through mentoring and educational opportunities as well as inclusion in appropriate decision making and planning.
- Work with Human Resources to ensure the Creative department is properly staffed by recruiting, hiring, training, directing, assigning, scheduling, reviewing, and mentoring staff.
- Identify opportunities for continuous improvement, and propose processes and tools to support design operations
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
- BA in related fields of art or design. Equivalent experience will also be accepted.
- Minimum 6 years experience as Art or Creative Director.
- Proven exceptional communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to multi-task, and prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to use independent judgement and discretion to make decisions quickly. Solution-oriented and problem-solving personality.
- Must have extensive experience in design software and platforms.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Work in environments with high heat and humidity occasionally
- Ability to work in locations without air conditioning occasionally
- Ability to safely operate scissor lift and/or aerial lift frequently
- Ability to safely climb ladders frequently
SCHEDULING REQUIREMENTS:
- Typically Monday-Friday (occasional weekends and extended hours expected).
- Some travel required including weekends.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium reserves the right to revise job descriptions or work hours as required.
All job requirements are subject to change to reflect the evolving position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a threat or risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to which will be required in this position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor/manager (within guidelines and compliance with Federal and State Laws). Continued employment remains on an at-will basis.
Company is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. Clearwater Marine Aquarium participates in E-Verify, please view the Notice of E-Verify Participation and the Notice of Right to Work.
Location: 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, FL 33767
Job Type: Full-time
