Associate Creative Director at The Marketing Arm Chicago, IL

Associate Creative Director job at The Marketing Arm. Chicago, IL. We create cultural resonance for brands. Creativity That Matters is work that shatters the stratosphere. That’s why our quest to discover what’s next is endless — because the only thing we’re afraid of is the status quo. We make culture our personal playground. We launch far past the expected. We chase curiosity, deep into the... shadows. We will never be just another agency. And we’ve got the audacity to prove it. We Are TMA. Job Overview: TMA is looking for an Associate Creative Director, with an art direction background, to join one of our fastest growing (and most fun) client teams. This one’s about thrilling amusement parks, superfast roller coasters and magical interactions. As a brand visionary for this client, your role is to conjure the imagery and narratives that get people excited about these experiences, and transform them into epic integrated marketing campaigns. The Associate Creative Director will be hands-on in the role of crafting masterful work, while also mentoring and managing the team below them. You’ll be a world builder, storyteller, teacher, strategist, problem solver, and dynamic presenter. About you: You’re creative to the core. A designer/art director in that transitional phase of your career in between being a “doer” and “leader”. Meaning you can seamlessly and masterfully switch between both, depending on where you are in the creative process. You think big picture while juggling minutiae. You generate ideas and excel at problem-solving. You know that having fun with every project is a serious part of the creative process. Responsibilities: • Support the Creative Director in concepting and producing advertising and social media content for multiple campaigns and initiatives • Collaborate with extended team of account services, strategy, creative, production, and traffic to juggle and manage multiple streams of work at the same time • Direct and mentor a creative team of art directors and copywriters to consistently deliver on brand strategy and message • Maintain an extremely high level of design and art direction craft. Protect the integrity of design and brand image through graphic design and strong collaboration with other department directors • Participate in brand and campaign planning • Sell the team’s ideas in Client presentations • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the marketplace and competitive landscape our Clients operate in, in addition to cultural, design, and business trends Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in a directly related field (advertising, design, art direction, etc.) • 5-7+ years of agency experience as an art director • Proven mentoring and team-building skills • Strong working knowledge of brand development, the creative process, and integrated marketing, including broadcast, video, audio, print, digital and experiential • Ability to provide clear creative direction and provide timely and helpful feedback to improve creative processes to keep deliverables on time and on budget • Understand how to appeal to diverse cultural markets • Ability to build and maintain solid relationships with Clients and internal teams • Strong problem-solving, communications, and relationship-building skills • Proven ability to brainstorm in large groups and develop big ideas from beginning to end • Excellent presentation skills and salesmanship are a must • Self-motivation and ability to motivate others to creatively and strategically solve multiple problems at once, under quick deadlines • Computer proficiency in Microsoft suite of products • Knowledge of PowerPoint and Keynote a plus • Low-level video editing for proof-of-concept executions is a plus • A+++ portfolio, available online • Travel as required TMA Perks & Benefits: • Continuous training, educational programs, speaker series and workshops • Culture events throughout the year (just virtually now!) • Communities to connect with: • TMACares(Volunteering) • DiscoverTMA(Furthering diversity and inclusion) • TMA Women’s Initiative (Fostering the growth and achievements of women) • Wellness Group (Helping to improve the mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of employees) • Competitive vacation plan, sick days and personal days to prioritize your mental health • Summer Flex Days • Robust holiday schedule • Parental leave • Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision plans • 401K Retirement Savings Plan • Employee Stock Purchase Plan