Associate Art Director

Postern presents a hybrid, full-time opportunity in Frederick, MD with a salary range of $78,000 to $87,000 annually . The role provides a benefits package designed to support health, retirement, and professional growth, all within a collaborative culture that values mentorship, cross-discipline collaboration, and creative leadership. You will lead conceptual development and deliver brand-wide creative across print, digital, social, video, and animation, while guiding a design team to elevate every customer touchpoint. You will mentor and direct a multi-level design squad, partnering closely with the Creative Director and the Communications Team to translate strategic briefs into compelling visual campaigns. This role also involves presenting concepts and rationale to clients and stakeholders, and actively shaping a culture that encourages ideation, collaboration, and continuous learning. Benefits Health, dental, and vision coverage with the employer contributing a portion of the monthly premium Health Savings Account with employer contribution matching 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching Paid time off and paid holidays Paid parental leave Professional development support and resources Life insurance Vision insurance Dental insurance Retirement plan offerings beyond core 401(k) options Responsibilities Develop design solutions for brands across diverse industries, balancing inventive concepts with client objectives Ensure a brand vision translates seamlessly across customer experiences from print to digital to motion Lead and participate in client pitches, articulating the rationale behind the creative and translating marketing strategies into visual storytelling Provide clear direction and constructive feedback to senior, mid, and junior designers; guide core disciplines including design, digital design, animation, and production Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and vendors; confidently present concepts to external groups Conduct peer reviews to uphold high quality standards and ensure deliverables are error-free Collaborate with the Creative Director, Communications Team, and clients to convert briefs into impactful visual campaigns; assist in evaluating scope, timelines, and resources Foster a creative environment that encourages ideation, collaboration, and continual learning; participate in industry and community events to raise Postern’s regional visibility Requirements 4+ years of graphic design experience within an agency environment, with demonstrated mentoring or leadership of other designers Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or equivalent professional experience Portfolio showcasing distinctive branding, print, digital, and hybrid campaigns with strong attention to detail Expert command of Mac OS and Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects), plus Microsoft Office and Google Workspace Excellent verbal and written communication; ability to translate client feedback into tangible improvements Self-starter who can manage multiple projects independently and meet demanding deadlines Proactive problem solving with a commitment to growth, visual innovation, and staying current with digital trends Experience mentoring or leading graphic designers and production specialists Experience in strategic brainstorming, campaign development, creative brief creation, and execution Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with strong attention to detail under tight timelines Portfolio link required with submission; candidates without an online portfolio will not be considered Technologies: Mac OS, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace Work setup and compensation This is a full-time, hybrid role located in Frederick, MD. The schedule is 3 days in the office and 2 days remote. The first 6 months require in-office onboarding. Compensation is an annual salary of $78,000-$87,000 . Location and experience details Location: Frederick MD 21701 (in person with hybrid option). Experience requirements include print design (4+ years), brand design (4+ years), client presentations (3+ years), Adobe Creative Suite (4+ years), and publication design (3+ years); agency experience (2+ years) is also noted. #J-18808-Ljbffr