Creative Services Manager

Helpful Smiles Technology Center (HST), James Street, Grimes, IA Full time

R258283

Additional Considerations (if any): At Hy-Vee our people are our strength. We promise “a helpful smile in every aisle” and those smiles can only come from a workforce that is fully engaged and committed to supporting our customers and each other. Job Description: Job Title: Creative Services Manager Department: Marketing FLSA: Salary Revision Date: 10/2026 About Hy-Vee At Hy-Vee, we believe the shortest distance between two people is a smile. We're seeking professionals who bring proven skills, a desire to grow, and a commitment to work together in building a company that strives to make our customers' lives easier, healthier and happier. The Role and Why It's Important The Creative Services Manager helps shape and execute creative strategy across Hy-Vee's marketing initiatives, combining hands-on design and art direction with team leadership, project oversight and collaboration with internal teams and external partners. This role translates business objectives into compelling creative and guides work from concept through execution across digital, in-store, print, photography and video, using AI tools to improve creative quality and efficiency while maintaining accuracy and brand consistency. If you're a creative leader who loves mentoring designers, staying hands-on with the work and turning strategy into standout campaigns, this role is for you. What You'll Do Conceptualize and design marketing assets for campaigns, retail promotions and enterprise initiatives, including in-store signage, digital advertising, email and landing pages, ensuring cohesive creative that reflects Hy-Vee's brand and supports strategic business goals. Partner with the Director, Creative Services to develop creative strategies, campaign concepts and visual direction that support business objectives and customer needs. Lead assigned creative projects from brief through final delivery, developing concepts, presentations and cohesive executions across channels. Guide and mentor designers and other creative contributors through actionable feedback that strengthens their craft, strategic thinking and ownership of work. Work with creative operations and project managers to prioritize work, balance resources and identify risks to timelines or quality. Collaborate with copywriters and marketing partners to align messaging and visual storytelling across campaign and promotional assets. Partner with digital and UX teams to ensure web and app creative supports usability, customer needs and brand consistency. Help maintain brand standards and design systems across channels and customer touchpoints. Provide art direction to agencies, photographers, production partners and other external collaborators. Help direct photography, including concepts, shot lists, styling and on-set direction; review final assets for quality and intended use. Review creative work against approved strategy, brand standards, messaging, accuracy and production specifications; coordinate revisions before approval and production. Stay current with design trends, emerging technologies and AI tools; apply and share best practices for image generation, enhancement and concept development while maintaining product accuracy, brand standards and compliance with company guidelines. Support project estimates and resource planning in partnership with the Director, Creative Services and appropriate teams; this role has no direct budget authority. Maintain strict confidentiality of campaign plans, pricing, product launches, business initiatives and personnel information. Report to work on time and work the expected number of hours. Perform other job-related duties and special projects as required. Your Skills Commitment to the Hy-Vee mission and a willingness to promote the company's values. Strong creative judgment and the ability to connect business goals, audience needs and brand strategy to effective design and messaging. Expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud, including InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop, and proficiency with Figma. Strong knowledge of typography, layout, color, production requirements and design systems across print and digital formats; expertise in image editing, manipulation and color correction. Ability to lead and develop creative teams while remaining hands-on with design. Strong organizational and problem-solving skills; ability to prioritize projects, make decisions and adapt to changing deadlines. Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills; ability to present creative recommendations and collaborate across teams, including marketing leadership, creative and digital teams, operations, agencies, photographers, production partners, vendors and store personnel. Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and project management tools such as Monday.com; strong file and asset management practices. Hands-on proficiency with AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude and Adobe Firefly for idea development, image generation and enhancement, including prompting, refinement and quality review; workflow automation experience a plus. Digital UI/UX design experience, including customer journey mapping and creating intuitive web and app experiences, a plus. Basic animation, motion design and video production knowledge a plus. Reporting Relationships Accountable and Reports to: Director, Creative Services Direct Reports: Assigned creative team members Education and Experience Four-year degree with an emphasis in graphic design, visual communications or a related field preferred. Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in graphic design, art direction or creative services, including project leadership and mentoring creative team members. Experience developing integrated campaigns and collaborating with internal stakeholders and external creative partners required; agency or design firm experience preferred. Portfolio demonstrating strong conceptual thinking, design execution and creative direction across multiple channels required. Physical Requirements Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally Ability to operate standard office technology, including computers and telephones Ability to review and analyze documents and data on screen Ability to occasionally transport materials weighing up to 10 pounds (such as files or office supplies) Working Environment This is a hybrid position with a five-day workweek: three days in the Grimes, Iowa office and two days working from home. The role involves frequent pressure to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects and priorities. Work is performed on a Mac computer with Microsoft 365, Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, Monday.com and company-approved AI and workflow automation tools, with occasional on-set time for photography. Are you ready to smile, apply today. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre employment drug screen. Hy-Vee Food Stores