Position: Senior Art Director
Reports To: Director of Creative Strategy & Operations
Summary:
CJRW is seeking an experienced Senior Art Director who thrives at the intersection of strategy, concept development, and hands-on creative execution. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys moving seamlessly between campaign ideation and designing across virtually every creative medium, from traditional advertising and social content to websites, publications, environmental graphics, video, presentations, and emerging digital experiences.
We're looking for someone who enjoys creative variety. One day you may be developing an integrated tourism campaign, the next designing a brand activation, prototyping a website, art directing a commercial shoot, creating social content, or helping shape a new brand experience. The ideal candidate is energized by solving different kinds of creative problems and brings the same level of craftsmanship and strategic thinking to every project.
Responsibilities:
- Translate strategic insights into compelling visual concepts across multiple media.
- Design across a wide range of formats, including advertising campaigns, websites, social media, publications, presentations, environmental graphics, experiential activations, email marketing, merchandise, and emerging digital platforms.
- Concept, storyboard, art direct, and collaborate on the production of commercial, documentary, and social-first video content.
- Art direct photography andcollaboratewith photographers, videographers, stylists, illustrators, and production partners.
- Develop mockups and interactive prototypes for digital campaigns.
- Design website layouts, ensuring a cohesive and engaging user experience.
- Prepare production-ready files and collaborate with internal production teams and external vendors to ensure quality execution across all media.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure creative alignment with brand guidelines and missions.
- Present creative concepts and rationale to internal teams and clients with confidence and clarity.
- Provide creative leadership throughout projects by guiding designers, offering constructive feedback, and helping elevate the quality of work across the department.
- Think beyond individual deliverables by considering how ideas extend across the full customer journey and every audience touchpoint.
- Actively participate in brainstorming and campaign concept meetings and be enthusiastic to ideate with the larger team.
- Be a trusted creative partner who develops strong relationships within creative and across other cross-functional departments.
- Be a problem solver who works to communicate expected issues and opportunities in advance and contribute ideas for solutions.
- Take ownership of leading and delivering strategy-aligned campaigns on time and on budget.
- Remain up to date on new creative and digital technologies and trends.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- 7+ years of experience in an advertising agency, design studio, or branding firm.
- Bachelor's degree in graphic design, advertising, communications, or a related field preferred.
- Exceptional portfolio demonstrating conceptual thinking and outstanding execution across branding, advertising, digital experiences, publications, social media, motion/video, environmental design, and integrated marketing campaigns.
- Demonstrated ability to work comfortably across multiple creative disciplines rather than specializing in only one medium.
- Demonstrated ability to work within established brand systems while also evolving and expanding them through fresh, innovative thinking.
- Experience art directing photography and video productions.
- Understanding of user experience (UX), responsive web design principles, and accessibility best practices.
- Strong conceptual thinking, ideation, and visual storytelling skills.
- Proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and related tools.
- Experience producing and editing video content.
- Ability to manage timelines, work independently, and deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines.
- Experience managing, mentoring, or providing direction to junior designers.
- Exceptional design sensibility and ability to conduct brand and creative reviews.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly present and explain creative ideas internally.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and collaborative in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Passion for design, creativity, and staying current with emerging trends and technologies.
- BONUS: Curiosity about AI-assisted creative workflows and an interest in thoughtfully integrating emerging technologies into the creative process.
Employment Type:
- Full Time
- Little Rock office (Candidates outside of central Arkansas may be considered for a remote work arrangement based on experience and qualifications)
- Little Rock-based employees may work remotely on Fridays as workload and production schedules permit
Compensation and Benefits:
- Competitive salary
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
- Potential for annual profit-sharing bonus
- 401(k) savings plan
- Flexible spending account for health and dependent care
- Generous insurance plans available (health, dental, life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability)
- Paid time off
- Company-paid holidays
- Paid parking
- Explore Arkansas (annual expense reimbursement for qualifying in-state vacations)
- CJRW Cares (employee-guided non-profit giving program)
- #WeAreWellness (annual expense reimbursement for eligible wellness expenses)
