Job Description:
APPLICATION PROCESS
If you’re well-qualified for this role, we’d love to have you apply! *** DO NOT APPLY THROUGH LINKEDIN AS WE WILL NOT BE CHECKING THOSE APPLICATIONS. To apply, follow the instructions below:
- Send an email to [email protected]
- Use the subject line “Ready for Take-off”
- Include the following attachments/links: Cover Letter, Resume, Portfolio/Sampling of Relevant Work
ABOUT US
At Studio Butch, we work with some of the most recognizable brands on Earth (and some you’ve maybe never heard of) to create world-class experiences that build affinity. We offer our clients a unique combination of creativity and strategy, complemented by expert execution, as we bring their brands to life through both temporary activations and permanent spaces. We value pushing creative boundaries, developing lasting partnerships, and delivering thoughtful solutions for our diverse range of clients across many industries.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The associate creative director will be responsible for helping to oversee the creative process from concept to completion on a range of projects, while collaborating with, and reporting to the chief creative director. The ACD will be responsible for ensuring design excellence, aligning work with client objectives and strategies, and leading a team of passionate designers. The ACD will also work closely with a cross-functional team to ensure organizational success, and that the Studio Butch mantras are in practice:
- Make it count - be thoughtful, meaningful, strategic, smart
- Push beyond - be innovative, open-minded, always-growing
- Crush expectations - seek excellence, quality, partnership
- Be kind, or fuck off - exhibit kindness, respect, be a little irreverent
- Enjoy the journey - be lighthearted, centered, unified
EMPLOYMENT + COMPENSATION
This is a full-time, salary position based out of our studio in NW Portland. Benefits include accrued paid-time-off, employer subsidized health/dental/vision insurance, employee mental/health services, home-office stipend, and more. Salary D.O.E.
RESPONSIBILITIES + DELIVERABLES
CREATIVE DIRECTION + DESIGN
- Conceptualize and create innovative designs for various clients across multiple industries, at a high level of excellence:
- Graphics + Typography
- Retail Design + Visual Merchandising
- Fixtures and Displays (both temporary and permanent)
- Pop-Up Experiences + Activations
- Event Creative
- Photo + Video Content
- 3D / Virtual Environments
- Helps review and develop creative briefs that provide strategic insight(s) and creative inspiration.
- Manage and mentor the design team, providing timely and inspiring guidance and feedback. Evaluating creative team performance and guiding improvements.
- Stay on top (and ahead) of design trends, industry practices, and emerging technologies - and share those with the broader team.
- Ensure that designs are on-brand (and pushing forward) the client’s aesthetic and voice.
CLIENT RELATIONS
- Work with the account team to ensure creative approaches and scopes are aligned, and resources are allocated to achieve the client's goals.
- Lead some client presentations, clearly and artfully speaking to the work for client buy-in and approval.
- Help decipher any client feedback, listening for what the solution could be, and asking for any clarity on the spot if needed.
- Actively seek new opportunities for studio growth, including finding and pitching to new clients.
STUDIO COLLABORATION
- Work closely with the Project Management team to prioritize project requirements, team bandwidth, and deliverables.
- Help solicit, recruit, and manage external contract designers, as needed.
- Coordinate with the project manager to combine meeting notes, client requests, and design ideas to ensure an efficiently operating creative team.
- Work with the Project Management team to review and approve design proofs for graphics/production, ensuring accuracy and quality control.
- Collaborate with the Marketing team to develop Studio Butch’s overall online presence, ensuring a cohesive brand identity.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
- 10-15 years of relevant experience in areas of: graphic design, space design, retail preferred, and experiential/activation design.
- Candidate MUST have experience in space design to be considered for the position.
- Experience in managing and developing creatives.
- Superior skills in organization, time management, and multi-tasking.
- Strong ability to delegate, or (smartly) take on specific tasks across multiple projects.
- Advanced knowledge of design principles, typography, layout techniques, etc.
- Strong communication and presentation skills for effective (and artful) client interactions.
- Experience with leading on-site visits and installations with clients and build partners.
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Midjourney, etc.
- Experience with, or ability to learn, Slack, Google Workspace, Asana, and Harvest.
- Degree in a relevant field is a consideration, but not required.
- Ability to work physically in our NW Portland studio no fewer than 3-4 days a week.
- Availability to work some nights and weekends to meet project deadlines.
- Ability to travel out of state for projects if needed (10-15% of the time).
