Creative Director

We are looking for a Creative Director with extensive hands-on experience in food, lifestyle and product photography, photoshoot management and digital and print production. This position works closely with the executive team and Project Directors to produce high quality photographs and layouts for print and digital media in accordance with client expectations and ensures the art department meets design and delivery goals.

• Please include your portfolio along with your resume
• This position is located in-office in West Des Moines, IA

About Us:

Grey Dog Media is a growing, national-award-winning creator and publisher of custom and consumer media. Our products include magazines, catalogs, books, websites, videos, commercials, and collateral. This is a fast-paced, yet relaxed environment with experienced professionals. We offer a friendly, professional workplace, full-benefits, competitive salary, and remarkable opportunities for creative-skills development, and career advancement.

Job Responsibilities:

• Works with company leadership and clients to establish project deadlines and content goals.
• Provides forward thinking, solution-minded designs that showcase excellent skills in ideation, understanding of brand style and alignment and best practices in visual communication.
• Makes pitches utilizing a variety of tools such as layouts, photo- and type-studies and design justifications to communicate proposed strategies and visions for print and digital products.
• Directs all aspects of photography production including accessing products/props and managing set production; communicating visual expectations such as nuanced lighting and inspired food styling goals to photographers and stylists; and following shoot protocols.
• Manages and trains art staff and directs photographers, stylists and staff
• Shares responsibility with other Creative Directors for oversight of photography studios
• Directs shoots and may lead multiple photography teams/sets simultaneously
• Approves set designs
• Selects and approves final shots
• Provides clear, concise, and direct feedback and design critique
• Designs and/or oversees the designs of print and digital layouts
• Manages premedia markups and color process for assigned projects
• Collaborates across departments to implement design standards, messaging and processes to produce consistent, high-quality results
• Follows established best practices, workflows, and processes and advises executive leadership on ways to improve management to reduce costs or better meet identified goals
• Remain current on marketplace, industry and design trends, including insights into cultural trends, competition and target audiences
• Mentors junior staff and provides support and feedback to help them advance in their careers
• Demonstrates knowledge, understanding of and respect for media law
• Other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Art, Graphic Design or a related field

Experience: Minimum of 8 years’ experience leading a consumer magazine

Portfolio demonstrating proficiency in skill and a sophisticated sense of design, photography and typography.

Skills:

• Expert fluency in Adobe Creative Suite with advanced layout and typography skills
• Sophisticated sense of design, photography and typography
• Extensive experience directing studio and location photography.
• Exceptional problem solving and critical thinking skills; able to balance multiple priorities and demands simultaneously.
• Able to adapt skill to the aesthetics of each project.
• Flexibility and the ability to adjust to the needs of clients.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Highly motivated with ability to work in a deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to multitask.
• Positive attitude
• Desire to work on a collaborative team with high standards.
• Microsoft Office & Web/Interactive Design experience a plus

Job Location:

This position is located in-office in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Position/Type:

Full-Time/Professional

Benefits:

Medical/HSA/401K/LTD/AD&D/Life Ins./Dental/PTO

Compensation:

Competitive, based on experience