Global Brand Art Director

What You'll Do:

We are currently seeking a Global Brand Art Director who will provide art direction and creative solutions for the Ecomm, Marketing and future Retail needs of the brand.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Must be able to present and articulate the creative process from inspiration to final design solution by email or face-to-face with internal clients at all levels in the organization. 
• The AD will work closely with corporate marketing, and business units to design solutions and executions for strategic Brand initiatives, executive communications and presentations, and internal and external communications programs. 
• Work as a collaborative consultant and steward of Wilson Brand and Lifestyle creative guidelines among Business Unit Marketing Directors and Art Directors to help ensure company brand/corporate identity consistency across customer and consumer touchpoints, especially the Ecomm site. 
• Provides graphic design, thought leadership and design solutions as needed across all of the Wilson needs; Ecomm, Social, Experiential, D2C, and Retail, etc., 
• Collaborates with agency partners, marketing leadership on the creative expression of Brand across all projects. 
• Performs hands-on or provides strong hands on guidance for Brand and various Lifestyle creative design elements from start to final production such as; Brand Wide storytelling initiatives or promotions, logo designs, experiential, retail, brand presentations, events, corporate and brand video story boarding and art direction, and other specialty projects as needed. 
• Works with leadership and brand agency partners as needed to help lead in the implementation and interpretation of the Brand Playbook at the brand level, while collaborating with all BU Art Directors and Marketing Directors to develop sport specific communication pieces. 
• Leads in brand storytelling across Ecomm digital design for Ecomm website 
• Brand design support and for internal tools for communications initiatives including the Wilson Intranet, HR recruitment and Career application portals, R&D idea portal, and philanthropic platform, including development of logos, wilson.com content, and needed internal and external-facing design elements. 
• Coordinates with Creative Director and Creative Group to define specifications for quoting and bidding of various projects within defined design perimeters of to ensure quality and proper execution. 
• Works with Staff Photographer and outside photographers and/or videographers and editors to coordinating and providing creative direction, product samples, photo layouts and background concepts for various projects as needed. 
• Responsible for investigating and vetting potential digital tools to help continually advance the brand’s creative digital connections with consumers. Develop recommendations and present ideas as needed. 
• Responsible for maintaining the job log for project tracking as well as individual tracking sheets in a timely manner.

What We're Looking For:

This role requires an Associate's or Bachelor’s degree in Graphics Design or related degree preferrred and 10+ years working experience in agencies, small design firms or corporate in-house graphics department with previous Art Director (preferred) or a minimum of Senior Graphic Designer experience

Other qualifications include:

• Minimum 3 years’ experience managing a staff. 
• Requires an excellent working knowledge of Macintosh computers and graphics related software. Needs advanced working knowledge of photography, photo shoots, separations and printing processes. 
• Understands strategic business goals and has the ability to develop creative solutions that connects with financial and consumer engagement targets 
• Exceptional attention to detail and organization as well as project management skills. 
• Excellent communication skills to effectively present and articulate design concepts and information, respond to questions and work with the cross-functional teams up and down the organization. 
• Proven outstanding ability to work under pressure, be flexible with work hours, prioritize and meet multiple deadlines. 
• Advanced skills at conventional and digital design and abilities to communicate quick ideation. 
• Expert knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and related design software. Basic knowledge in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and KeyNote helpful.

What We’ll Provide:

Located in the vibrant, sports-centric city of Chicago, Wilson Sporting Goods Co. global headquarters sits along the lakefront with first-class access to a burgeoning creative, innovative, energetic and active professional community. We offer an open, collaborative, high tech work environment with best in class amenities and perks, including:

• Medical, dental and vision 
• Pre-tax transit discounts 
• 401(k) with company match 
• Life insurance 
• Paid maternity/paternity leave 
• Professional development opportunities 
• Volunteering programs 
• Team building outings 
• Discounts on Wilson and Amer Sports products 
• Smart casual dress (yes, jeans every day!) 
• On-site health club 
• Summer hours 
• Company-sponsored sports leagues/teams 
• Fun, active company outings around major sports events