Creative Art Director

Independent News & Media Plc is a publisher of the business weekly Fortune, reputable for its comprehensive coverage of business, investment, and economic issues across various platforms, including print, digital, video, and audio. Our commitment to delivering high-quality journalism is matched by our dedication to innovative design and compelling visual storytelling.

Position Overview: We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Creative Art Director to join our team. The Creative Art Director will play a crucial role in shaping the visual identity of our brand across multiple platforms, including newspapers, mobile apps, websites, video and podcast productions, and advertising designs. The role requires a creative visionary with exceptional leadership skills and a hands-on approach to guide and inspire a team of designers, illustrators, photographers, and multimedia artists.

Key Responsibilities:

Creative Leadership:

• Develop and implement a cohesive visual strategy that meets the publications’ editorial vision and the company’s branding guidelines.
• Lead the design team in creating visually appealing and engaging content for print and digital platforms.
• Stay updated with industry trends and innovations to ensure the company's visual content remains fresh and competitive.

Team Management:

• Supervise, mentor, and inspire a diverse team of creatives, encouraging a collaborative and productive work environment.
• Attend regular editorial meetings, conduct regular team meetings, provide constructive feedback, and facilitate professional development opportunities for team members.
• Manage the workflow and project timelines to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality designs.

Content Development:

• Oversee the design and layout of the newspaper, ensuring a balance between aesthetics and readability.
• Guide the creation of visual assets for the website, mobile apps, social media channels, and video/podcast productions.
• Collaborate with editors, writers, and other editorial team members to produce visually compelling stories and advertisements.

Project Management:

• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of visual elements in all projects.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget constraints.
• Develop and maintain a project management system to track progress and allocate resources efficiently.

Hands-On Design Work:

• Participate in the creation of high-impact visual content, including illustrations, infographics, and multimedia elements.
• Review and approve final designs, ensuring consistency with brand standards and overall quality.
• Troubleshoot design challenges and provide practical solutions to maintain design integrity.

Brand Development:

• Ensure consistency in visual branding across all platforms and media.
• Develop and maintain brand guidelines to be followed by internal associates and external partners.
• Work with marketing and advertising teams to create visually compelling campaigns that drive engagement and revenue.

Qualifications:

• Training in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Visual Communication, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of experience in a senior design role, preferably within a media or publishing environment.
• Proven experience managing a creative team, with strong leadership and mentoring skills.
• Expertise in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects).
• Strong portfolio showcasing a range of creative projects, including print, digital, and multimedia.
• Excellent visual, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work late hours under pressure, manage multiple projects, and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with attention to detail.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in motion graphics and video production.
• Familiarity with UX/UI design principles for digital platforms.
• Knowledge of web design and development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript).
• Understanding of photography and photo editing.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• A collaborative and innovative work environment.
• An opportunity – and challenge - to shape the visual identity of a leading media brand.

How to Apply: Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume, a cover letter detailing their qualifications and vision for the role, and a portfolio of their work to https://careers.addisfortune.info/#job-openings-fortune, under the "Creative Art Director" slot.