WHO WE ARE

WATSON CREATIVE is a design-driven business consulting firm based in Portland, Oregon, with offices in San Francisco and Bend, Oregon. Our portfolio includes top-tier firms, athletic organizations, and cultural icons. We’re designers, writers, parents, mentors, musicians, marketers, volunteers, programmers, filmmakers, MBA’s, and dreamers. For us, design is a passion, a sport, and an obsession. www.WatsonCreative.com

WHO WE WANT

WATSON CREATIVE is looking for the best and brightest creative minds to bring our clients goals to life through fresh inventive solutions. The ideal candidate has experience in fast-moving creative environments – specifically the inner workings of agency life. You must have a hunger for diversity of work – large and small accounts across almost every industry. We strongly prefer if you have a strong level of experience dealing with branding, but we are willing to consider other related experiences.

You must have a strong visual sense and a well-developed design point of view – regardless of function/department. A strong portfolio of previous related work and proven experience leading projects and teams are important. Because you will be working directly with clients, you need professionalism and confidence to explain your ideas to clients and colleagues and an understanding of time allocation, and deadlines.

Lastly, you must have the ability to work under pressure, be comfortable with changing expectations and client’s requests for revisions and work well in a deadline-driven environment is important.

YOUR MISSION

Research. Ideate. Concept. Collaborate with strategists, designers, writers, developers, and senior leadership. The Design Director is in charge of the overall design and execution for brands and the creative aspect of brand marketing initiatives. They are responsible for creating a cohesive image that embodies their company's brand manifesto and strategic key messaging. brand identity, which can range from logos to website layouts and traditional marketing materials.

In particular, within Watson Creative, the Design Director role is to be prepared to wear numerous hats. We're a small agency and no one is above designing an email. A really good email. Or a process. Or proofing an RFP. Or designing the RFP. Also,

• Mentor Designers and have a vision for building out this team with our VP of Creative.
• Help land and secure accounts and new work from clients.
• Conceive and implement concepts, guidelines and strategies in various creative projects and oversee them to completion
• Collaborate with account managers and strategists to obtain knowledge of the clients’ requirements
• Direct and motivate teams of designers, animators, copywriters etc. to help them use their talents effectively
• Lead brainstorming/creative sessions to generate ideas
• Understand how to build the case for and push through aggressive concepts.
• We expect that you will often still design brands (identities, guidelines, print, digital, etc.)
• We expect you to be well-written and able to competently collaborate with our writers.
• Revise content and presentations, approve/reject ideas, provide feedback to the team
• Train and guide other designers into accomplished professionals
• Monitor results of team efforts and propose actions for the future
• Excellent presentation skills and proven ability to grow accounts.
• Strong knowledge of developing sows and pitching work.
  
• Deep understanding of branding and marketing campaigns. (B2B and B2C)
• Love to collaborate with a team of talented creatives and strategists.
  

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

• Twelve years or more working as a designer focused on branding/design and campaigns.
• Highly organized, problem solver, and self-driven
• Passionate about the work, the team, and our clients. Have a voice!
• Ability to formulate feedback in a constructive manner
• Ability to interface with clients in a highly professional manner
  
• Comfortable with ambiguity, fluidity, and client requests for revisions
• Ability to work effectively under pressure
• Ability to wear multiple hats, including working outside of this job description
• A solid and well-developed sense of integrity
• Excellent organizational skills

BENEFITS

• Health Care Plan, plus additional budget for custom insurance options.
• Life insurance and Medical leave
• Short & long-term disability insurance
• 401k matching plan and financial planning services
• Profit-Sharing Plan
• Maternity/paternity leave
• Continued education and professional development
• Paid Vacation, Holidays, and the week after Christmas off.
• Flexible schedules & Remote working welcomed
• And more

LOCATION

Our headquarters are tucked away in Portland, Oregon, nestled between the Pacific Ocean, Columbia Gorge, and National Forests, as well as a few volcanoes. It’s the perfect catalyst for creativity and mischief; a place to stretch our legs and develop original, evolving, and meaningful solutions for our clients. Take a trolley. Bike it. Hike it. Offices in Portland, Bend, and San Francisco.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

WATSON CREATIVE provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, WATSON CREATIVE complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

WATSON CREATIVE expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of WATSON CREATIVE’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.