Hybrid Creative Director bei The Paper Store

Creative Director

The Paper Store is committed to being the premiere destination for all of our customer’s gift-giving needs. Our mission is to share our passion for The Paper Store with each customer, during each visit, by going above and beyond their expectations for both selection and service.    

The Creative Director will develop and drive the vision of The Paper Store brand from concept and creative strategy through execution in-store and across multiple marketing channels. The right candidate will bring a passion for conceiving big ideas that connect our brand with consumers, establish a purpose for The Paper Store in their everyday lives, and drive omni-channel sales. This role will develop the brand voice and brand visual strategy, organic social media, and work cross-functionally with the Buying Dept to bring product trend development and seasonally relevant on-trend themes to our marketing and product selections. Our family-run organization is based on in-depth cross-functional collaboration between departments and the Creative Director role will play a pivotal role in facilitating this process.

The Creative Director reports directly to the Vice President of Marketing.

COMPETENCIES: 

• Communication: Communication is direct and to the point while maintaining employees’ self-esteem. Sets clear performance expectations and provides ongoing feedback. Solicits dialogue to ensure understanding of expectations.
• Leadership: Ability to motivate and influence the team to create buy-in. Clarifies initiatives and articulates their strategic relevance. Helps employees to see the potential for developing their skills; assists them in eliminating barriers to their development.
• Development: Demonstrates a passion for teaching. Identifies skill opportunities and takes timely and appropriate action to coach, develop and redirect employees as needed.
• Delegation: Delegates responsibility based on the employee’s ability and potential. Communicate action steps and desired outcomes. Follows up to ensure success.
• Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of corporate responsibility. Takes personal ownership and responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work. Ensures that actions are consistent with words.
• Creativity and Initiative: Forward-thinking, recognizes opportunities and finds new ways of doing things and implements improvements whenever possible. Encourages creativity and innovation.
• Professionalism: Maintains a professional and positive manner even under changing or uncertain conditions. Works well with a wide range of individuals to provide support, encouragement and direction. Engages others to accomplish organizational and departmental goals. Is seen as a role model.
• Personal Development: Displays self-awareness, a high level of energy, persistence and a positive outlook. Continuously seeks ways to improve and learns from mistakes and constructive feedback.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Be a TPS brand ambassador.
• Own the brand voice and visual direction that breaks through to the customer, maintains and enhances the brand image, and drives sales in all channels (online video, social & digital media, email, website, grand opening campaigns, in-store signage, store environmental branding and other marketing initiatives). Drive consumer-centric, brand right, engaging creative and tactical application - from concept through high-quality outputs.
• Develop the seasonal thematic campaigns, messaging and imagery that uniform the brand’s direction between marketing, stores and product and drive customers in store.
• Identify and present product trends that drive the direction of private label product development and brand-exclusive collections. Oversee a Product Development Designer who will focus on both hard and soft line product development, pattern design/illustration and packaging design across various gift, décor and apparel categories.
• Drive the organic social media strategy for The Paper Store brands with an eye towards channel growth and brand voice/strategy development. Oversee a Social Media Coordinator to aid in content, posting, influencer management and customer engagement.
• Develop and manage a network of creative, media & PR agencies to fulfill integrated marketing campaigns throughout the year.
• Seamlessly integrate the needs of a fast-paced, rapidly evolving multi-channel retailer while building the brand and driving transactions in-store and online
• Maintain close and collaborative partnerships with the Director of Marketing, Art Director, Photographer and Graphic Design team to ensure a continuous evolution and execution of elevated brand and product imagery.
• Creates and supports an open, authentic environment where diverse opinions are encouraged and respected. Build trust with senior leaders, peers and/or team through cultivating an open, transparent, feedback-rich environment.
• Identify and apply industry best practices to define and optimize presentation and execution of Creative from ideation to conceptual development, tactics and final asset delivery, to increase efficiencies and lead to the highest quality work.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• PORTFOLIO MUST BE SUPPLIED
• BFA in Graphic Design or equivalent degree or professional work experience 
• 6+ years of related work experience at internal or external agencies with at least 3+ years working with/managing creative for retail brands
• Exceptional design skills (well-produced, big idea campaigns), communication and presentation skills
• Proven understanding of store design and visual merchandising 
• Extensive understanding of photography, video, illustration, typography along with broad photoshoot experience and a wide talent network 
• Experience hiring and managing external creative, media and PR agencies 
• Proven track record and experience in delivering projects on time and budget with strategic roadmaps and robust communication planning to support execution 
• Ability to thrive in a rapidly moving retail business environment defined by uncertain, incomplete, or limited information and evolving targets. Comfortable finding (or building) common ground to drive his/her agenda. Strong at handling urgencies, constraints and prioritizing deliveries.
• Passion for fashion and trends
• Ability to work 3+ days/week at the Corporate Office in Acton, MA
• Professional presentation in attire, demeanor, and appearance

The Paper Store is an equal-opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, veteran status, or any other classification protected by state, local or federal law.