Art Director (HYBRID)

Who we are:

Munchkin is one of the most innovative and fast-growing consumer product companies in the world! With over 320+ patents under our belt, we continue to create solutions that leave our customers asking, "how did I ever live without this?" Recognized as #8 on America’s Most Innovative Companies list by Fortune Magazine, innovation is the core of our company DNA and has been driving our designs for 30 years!

Founded in 1990, Munchkin has sold billions of dollars of products through our key retail partners: Target, Walmart and Amazon and has global distribution in over 50 countries. We are industry leaders in design and innovation with over 140 international product and brand design awards in the past 5 years and growing!

We lead with our core values and believe that investing in the community is our responsibility. We create opportunities for every child’s potential and well-being through the Radiant Colors program, work to create a sustainable future, and in partnership with the International Fund for Animal welfare have committed to animal conservation.

After 30 years of being a leader in the baby industry, Munchkin is growing up and expanding our business reach to even more consumers with the launch of Curio, a highly curated line of home goods inspired by curiosity.

There is no better time than now to join Munchkin as we embark on our next and biggest growth journey moving us into technology focused, higher valued products, and household consumer goods. Munchkin is growing up and you could be the next influential leader to play a key role in driving enormous customer-centered value and rapid growth.

What we are looking for:

We are searching for an Art Director to be the right hand, a trusted and confident wingman/person, to the CBO/Creative Director. This full time role will oversee a full 360, in-house, design and production teams of 9 in LA with weekly production supervision of assets in Hong Kong and China.

The Art Director needs to be a mature, creative problem solver with a strong managerial background in CPG. You are as comfortable presenting to a Marketing Director as you are to a retail partner. We’re a scrappy team, so we expect this AD not just to provide direction to designers, but also to execute your own ideas. From quick comps to dazzling packaging and digital creations, we want someone who can take an idea from the conceptual phase and bring it all the way to market. You have experience working with epic story creators, from copy writers to video directors, and have strong writing skills yourself.

You bring these critical skills to the table (in this order of importance):

• 8-10 years of experience in a managerial role for design teams at a hypergrowth consumer startup or top tier CPG company.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: You feel at your best in a team environment; You are a curious, patient leader who thrives coaching young designers and illustrators in daily crit sessions; You understand the nuances and value of the critical role of right hand to a C-Suite.
• You are a well-seasoned, graceful giver and receiver of feedback.
• Excellent communication skills. You are crystal clear, transparent, and confident communicating (presenting and selling-in) creative ideas, their rationale, and the specifics of the solutions.
• Killer design chops with Advanced Adobe Creative Suite skills, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, and ability to evaluate future tools for team productivity. You have familiarity with Word, Excel and embrace the reality that Power-Point is a necessary and powerful design tool.
• Animation and video production and are well versed in the language of the internet and social.
• You have impeccable taste in and appreciation for the role of music as a story telling backdrop for motion.
• Demonstrated ability to concept across a variety of mediums including social, digital, print, audio, experiential and whatever comes next.
• A tried-and-true Rolodex of vendors to lend a hand when needed from copy writers to stylists to video directors and editors.
• Social fluency and a solid understanding of how to drive conversation and engagement across social channels.
• Strong communication design sensibilities and an understanding of how composition, information hierarchy, color theory and typography work together to drive home a message.
• Proven creativity in the Ecommerce space is preferred.
• Ability to prioritize and manage work, adhering to critical project timelines in a fast-paced environment.

You'll Do:

• In collaboration with the CBO/Creative Director, you will help lead the global creative vision for Munchkin in alignment with marketing, product development, and digital strategies and business objectives.
• Concept, design, and produce engaging strategic content and creative assets across a range of brand projects and touchpoints, including video, social and influencer campaigns, marketing and promotional, email, print, branding and logo design, packaging, media and PR programs, and whatever comes next.
• Communicate and interact well with team members and supervisors across multiple departments. Work closely and build relationships with Brand Marketing, Global Marketing, Product Development, Ecommerce, and Social Media teams to drive the creative strategy across the Company.
• Ensure that brand and visual identity is consistently applied to all collateral and marketing materials across the company. Drive creative consistency into global markets in packaging and digital platforms. Ensure consistent application and governance of the brand style guides, internally and externally.
• In collaboration with the CBO/Creative Director, provide the vision for photography and direct all photography efforts for use in packaging, social media, and Ecommerce.
• Ensure execution of a thoughtful creative strategy and positive user interface across multiple digital platforms.
• Manage a team of designers by demonstrating enthusiasm for the creative landscape and new technologies; and contributing strong, inspirational, and relevant creative thinking. Ensure the Creative Team delivers on business objectives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Bring It!

• Minimum 10-12 years industry experience or related creative process experience combining creative strategy, content, and messaging with creative deliverables as an Art Director. Some of your management background is in-house at a CPG company.
• 8-10 years of experience in a managerial role for design teams at a hypergrowth consumer startup or top tier CPG company.
• A strong portfolio that demonstrates your ability to come up with modern, playful, original ideas and innovative approaches across channels, along with the visual skills and attention to detail to execute superbly in a variety of mediums
• Stunning photo and video art direction. Experience with baby models is a huge plus.
• Proven experience allocating and managing budgets
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and inspire both internal and external creative teams
• Understanding of all dimensions of communication: business strategy and experience design, with the ability to translate this into effective innovative, but integrated marketing programs.
• Expert knowledge in Mac-based tools of your trade: InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator. Premiere, After Effects are a huge plus.
• Expert knowledge in the graphic printing and production processes, including translations needed for international commerce.

We got you covered!

As a Great Place to Work Certified™ company, we are committed to offering the best to our employees. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, vision, dental, prescription drug coverage, life insurance, wellness benefits, generous employer-matched 401(k) plan, Paid Childcare Leave, among other benefit plans. Our total rewards are top of market and includes competitive salary, bonus and opportunities to earn equity. We focus on supporting employee development and growth.

We regularly hold social functions to foster a genuine camaraderie that enhances teamwork. At our company-wide award functions, we take time to recognize the talent and dedication of the people who make Munchkin the most loved baby lifestyle brand in the world.

To give our people flexibility, we offer hybrid work environment. Munchkin’s Hybrid Schedule is where an employee works in the office on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursdays, and Tuesday and Fridays remotely from home.
We also provide annual weeklong global office closures giving our people a chance to recharge.

Salary range: $110,000 - $150,000 annually

To learn more, visit us at www.munchkin.com

Munchkin welcomes and values what makes everyone unique. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All hires to our team are based on qualifications, merit and business needs. We recruit, employ, train and promote regardless of race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic characteristic or any other protected status.

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