Mid Social Art Director

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly motivated and visually driven Midweight Art Director to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the visual development and execution of social-first campaigns for some of Unilever's most beloved brands. You will be working alongside experienced creatives, taking ownership of projects and mentoring junior team members in a busy advertising agency environment. This role is perfect for someone with a strong visual eye, a passion for design, and a proven track record of creating engaging content for social media.

Key Responsibilities:

• Visual Conceptualization & Strategy: Lead brainstorming sessions and develop innovative visual concepts and strategies for social media campaigns, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines, objectives, and target audience insights.
• Art Direction & Execution: Oversee the art direction of photoshoots, video shoots, and other visual content creation, ensuring high-quality execution and adherence to brand standards.
• Design Leadership: Design and oversee the creation of compelling graphics, visuals, and layouts for social media posts, stories, and other digital assets.
• Social Modular Content Expertise: Develop and implement strategies for adapting visual assets across various social media platforms and formats, optimizing for performance and engagement.
• Social-First Innovation: Champion the development of visual ideas that are inherently social and designed to thrive on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, staying ahead of emerging trends.
• Brief Mastery: Interpret complex client briefs, translating them into clear visual directions and ensuring creative output meets strategic objectives.
• Research & Insights Application: Conduct in-depth research on visual trends, competitor activity, and emerging social media platforms, applying insights to inform creative development and drive innovation.
• Collaboration & Mentorship: Lead and mentor junior designers, fostering a collaborative and supportive team environment.
• Feedback & Iteration Leadership: Provide constructive feedback and guidance to junior team members, ensuring continuous improvement in visual design quality.
• Project Management & Ownership: Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring deadlines are met, budgets are adhered to, and projects are delivered to the highest standards.
• Trend Forecasting: Proactively identify and analyse emerging visual trends, design styles, and platform updates, sharing insights with the team and clients.
• Platform Expertise & Optimization: Leverage deep understanding of various social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube) to optimize visual content for maximum impact and engagement.

Key Skills and Requirements:

Creative Skills & Experience:

• Proven conceptual skills and a strong visual storytelling mindset.
• Extensive experience in graphic design, visual communication, or a related field.
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
• A strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of visual design work (please provide a link to your online portfolio).
• Deep understanding of visual storytelling and digital publishing best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead art direction and design projects from concept to completion.

General Skills:

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate creative ideas effectively.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, with the ability to manage and motivate a team.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Adaptability and flexibility to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a discerning visual eye.
• Proven time management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• A proactive and solution-oriented approach to problem-solving.

Industry Knowledge & Passion:

• Strong understanding of Unilever brands and their target audiences.
• Deep interest in marketing, advertising, and digital storytelling.
• Expert awareness of visual trends and industry-leading work.
• Passion for pop culture, street art, and internet trends.
• Enthusiasm for staying ahead of the curve in the social media and fashion marketing industry.

Other Potential Requirements:

• Experience with motion graphics and animation is a plus.
• Experience with photography and/or videography is a plus.
• Ability to dissect and decipher client briefs.
• Ability to research and share relevant visual insights.
• Understanding of different creative mediums.
• Ability to work with tight deadlines and budgets.
• A willingness to listen to feedback and use it to improve.

Desired Skills and Experiences:

• Beauty experience: Significant experience working on beauty brands or campaigns.
• Hair experience: Significant experience working on hair care brands or campaigns.
• Social Modular Experience: Extensive experience creating and adapting visual assets for different social media platforms and formats.
• Social First Experience: Proven track record of creating highly engaging visual content designed for social media.

{Other}

• Experience with creating mood boards and style guides.
• Familiarity with social media analytics and reporting is beneficial.
• Experience presenting creative concepts to clients.

What We Offer:

• The opportunity to lead exciting projects for leading global brands.
• A collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Mentorship and guidance from senior creative professionals.
• Exposure to the latest trends and technologies in social media marketing.
• A chance to develop your leadership skills and grow your career within a dynamic agency setting.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.