COMPANY VALUES
We value the wholeness and wellness of our company and community by seeing and giving a voice to all people.
- Balance - Integrity - Inclusivity - Resolute - Empower Living our values through:
- Wholeness, wellness, authenticity
- Treating people as people
- Partnering
- Being responsive to our clients and the community
- Aligning our personal values with the work we pursue
- Striving for excellence with a growth mindset
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Creative Leadership & Strategy
- Serve as Vida’s creative lead, setting the visual direction and creative standards for the agency
- Lead Vida's internal brand development, including agency marketing materials, website, social media, thought leadership content, and new business presentations
- Develop compelling visual concepts and creative strategies that align with clientobjectivesand campaign goals
- Lead brainstorming sessions and collaborate with copywriters, strategists, and account teams to develop integrated creative solutions
- Present creative concepts and recommendations to clients and internal stakeholders with confidence and clarity
- Provide art direction to designers, photographers, videographers, and other creative vendors
- Ensure all visual communicationsmaintainbrand consistency and meet the highest creative standards
- Stay current on design trends, multicultural marketing best practices, and emerging technologies
- Champion Vida's creative reputation in the marketplace through award submissions, speaking opportunities, and industry engagement
Hands-On Design & Production
- Design and execute high-quality deliverables across multiple platforms including print, digital, social media, video, and experiential
- Create layouts, graphics, and visual assets using Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects)
- Develop design systems, style guides, and brand guidelines for client campaigns
- Art direct andparticipatein photoshoots and video productions as needed
- Produce presentation materials, pitch decks, and client-facing documents
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously whilemaintainingattention to detail and meeting deadlines
- Manage a small team of freelance graphic designers to help execute any work that cannot be completed by the art director.
Project Management & Collaboration
- Work closely with VP of account services, accountmanagementand project management teams to understand project scope, timelines, and budgets
- Coordinate with external vendors including printers, photographers, videographers, and production companies
- Review and provide feedback on work produced by junior designers and freelancers
- Manage creative timelines and ensure deliverables are completed on schedule and within budget
- Participate in client meetings, status updates, and campaign debriefs
- Contribute to new business pitches and proposals
Cultural Intelligence & Inclusive Design
- Apply culturally relevant insights to creative work, ensuring authenticity and resonance with diverse audiences
- Collaborate with community partners and cultural consultants to ensureappropriate representation
- Champion inclusive design practices that reflect VIDA's commitment to respectful cultural practices
- Understand and incorporate cultural nuances in visual communications for multilingual and multicultural communities
NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES
REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in graphic design, Visual Communications, Fine Arts, or related field
- Minimum 5-7 years of professional experience in graphic design and art direction
- At least 2-3 years of experience in an agency setting or similar fast-paced creative environment
- Proven portfoliodemonstratingstrong conceptual thinking and exceptional design execution across multiple platforms
- Experience with multicultural marketing or diverse audience engagement preferred
- Experience managing creative teams or providing art direction to designers and vendors
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Technical Skills
- Expertproficiencyin Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustratorrequired; After Effects, Premiere Pro preferred)
- Expertproficiencyin Figma
- Strong understanding of typography, layout, color theory, and composition
- Knowledge of print production processes, specifications, and best practices
- Proficiencyin digital design including web, social media, and mobile applications
- Experience with motion graphics and video editing preferred
- Understanding of photography and art direction for photoshoots
- Familiarity with design systems and brand identity development
Creative & Conceptual Skills
- Strong conceptual thinking with ability to developbig ideasthat translate across multiple touchpoints
- Excellent visual storytelling abilities
- Ability to balance creativity with strategicobjectivesand client needs
- Strong aesthetic sensibility and attention to detail
- Ability to work in various design stylesappropriate todifferent brandsand audiences
- Creative problem-solving skills
Communication & Leadership Skills
- Excellent presentation skills with ability to articulate and defend creative concepts
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to provide constructive feedback and mentor junior designers
- Collaborative approach with ability to work effectively across disciplines
- Client-facing skills with ability to build trust and manage expectations
- Leadership presence whilemaintaininga hands-on, team-player mentality
Professional Competencies
- Adaptability & Flexibility: Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and shift priorities as needed in a fast-paced environment
- Time Management: Strong organizational skills with ability to meet tight deadlines without compromising quality
- Cultural Awareness: Sensitivity to cultural differences and commitment to inclusive, authentic representation
- Resourcefulness: Ability to find creative solutions within budget and timeline constraints
- Growth Mindset: Eagerness to learn new skills, tools, and approaches
- Commitment to Equity:Demonstratedcommitment to social justice and culturally intelligent marketing practices
- Accountability: Takes ownership of work quality and project outcomes
- Professional Maturity: Ability to accept feedback, iterate on concepts, andmaintainpositive attitude under pressure
Portfoliorequirement
All candidates mustsubmita portfoliodemonstrating:
- Conceptual thinking and strategic visual solutions
- Hands-on design execution across multiple platforms (print, digital, social, video)
- Range of styles and approaches
- Examples of multicultural or diverse audience work (preferred)
- Work from concept through final execution
