Creative Director

Creative DirectorThe Creative Director owns the visual identity and creative output of our client's brand assets. This is a hands-on leadership role: you will set the creative vision and guardrails for the entire brand alongside the Founder and CEO, while managing the art team and personally executing high-priority projects. Product design is not the focus of this role, though you'll lend creative support to product initiatives as needed.Reports to: VP of Product Operations Direct reports: Sr Graphic Designers (Packaging and Marketing), plus freelance graphic designers Compensation: $150K baseKey ResponsibilitiesCreative Leadership & Team ManagementOversee and manage the art team, directing all brand creative asset outputSet brand guidelines, creative standards, and the overall creative outline for the brandEstablish and enforce the approval process for all department materials, in partnership with the VP of Product OperationsAct as an active work manager: assign, prioritize, and review team output while keeping projects on scheduleManage a priority work list for each designer and project, including due dates, status reports, ETAs, and notes, alongside the Product Ops CoordinatorOversee consistent art asset file naming conventions and the organized folder system, in partnership with the VP of Product OperationsBrand & License Creative DirectionDirect creative execution across all licensed properties, ensuring brand and licensor guidelines are metOwn creative direction for sales sheets, catalogs, packaging, instruction manuals, marketing materials, website artwork (banners, digital assets), POP activations, and trade show presenceEnsure licensed graphic assets adhere to licensor style guides and are submitted to the licensing coordinator correctlyTrack licensor feedback and own next steps to secure approval on current and future assetsMarketing & CampaignsSet creative direction for all marketing campaigns (social media, website activation, email newsletters, video, ads)Ensure a consistent, compelling brand voice across every consumer and retail touchpointHands-On ExecutionPersonally own and produce select projects: packaging, sell sheets/catalogs, sales decks, marketing materials, and other deliverables as priorities dictateMarket & Industry KnowledgeMaintain broad, detailed knowledge of the bricks/building-toy market and the toy industry at largeTrack competitor lines, launches, and creative approaches on an ongoing basisStay current on design, packaging, and marketing trends across toys and collectiblesRegularly visit retail stores and online sellers (Walmart, Target, Amazon) to observe merchandising, packaging, and consumer engagement firsthandTranslate market and competitive insights into creative recommendations for the brandQualificationsProven experience as a Creative Director or senior art lead, ideally in consumer products, toys, collectibles, or licensed goodsStrong portfolio spanning packaging, retail/POP, sales collateral, and digital/web designDeep familiarity with the toy/brick category, competitive landscape, and current consumer trendsExperience working within licensor brand guidelines and approval workflowsDemonstrated ability to both lead a team and remain a hands-on makerExcellent project and workflow management skills; comfortable owning process and deadlinesFluency in industry-standard design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, etc.)