Art Director

Job Description

What if you could create work at the cutting edge of culture for some of the biggest global brands in sport? This is a chance to turn world-beating insight into visually stunning campaigns seen by millions.

You will be part of a growing creative department at an independent agency that invests in talent and believes in big ideas. 

This is the perfect role for a culturally connected and ambitious midweight looking for an exciting new challenge.

The Agency

We are the strategic sport and esports creative agency with a model that is unique in our industry.  Fan Intelligence® is Ear to the Ground’s global network of 11,000 influential tastemakers and fans.

They empower us with real-time insight into what fans want, which we use to create compelling work at the cutting edge of culture. As the agency that listens better than anyone, we leverage the intelligence of fan bases to solve our clients problems, make the most of their sport and entertainment sponsorships, and ultimately build brands that lead culture.

2021 was our fifth consecutive year of growth, we have long term partnerships with PlayStation, Sony, New Balance and Coca-Cola.

Our Culture

Ear to the Ground is a place where people grow, develop and thrive. 

We are proudly independent, not part of a larger conglomerate. At our core, we understand the importance of culture in enabling you to do your best work. Progress is possible for everyone that joins us. We reward ambition, invest in talent, and encourage you to forge your own path.Our commitment to listening is felt by our own people too; this is an agency where every voice is heard. Supportive, collaborative, social, and inspiring.

You will benefit from our ‘Work From Anywhere’ policy and we encourage applications from candidates anywhere in the UK. Our HQ is in Manchester, which you should expect to travel to at least once a month for meetings and events; but otherwise you have the flexibility to work whereversuits you best.

Job Purpose

As Art Director you’ll play a lead role in ensuring our campaigns visually connect, driving results for our clients and helping us win awards for our brilliant creative outputs. 

You’ll be at the heart of the creative process, pitching visual concepts internally and to our clients. 

You’ll be instrumental in ensuring the concept and your visual strategy is implemented correctly throughout the campaign, directing design through to completion. 

A key part of your role will be to inspire our internal creative team with your knowledge of the wider creative landscape to help to generate innovative creative ideas across the business.  

Main Responsibilities and Activities

As Art Director you will take on the following responsibilities:

• Generate clear ideas and concepts to meet briefs from the Creative Strategy team
• Produce sketches, storyboards, roughs plans to visualise ideas
• Work closely with the copywriters to develop concepts 
• Understand marketing initiatives, strategic positioning and target audience
• Collaborate with the rest of the team to develop concepts across live, digital, social and print
• Take work from concept to final execution within given deadlines
• Present completed ideas to clients/team members
• Make relationships with suppliers and freelancers who can bolster our creative capacity and output
• Stay on top of all trends to provide inspiration to the agency
• Maintain industry best practice processes across the design department
• Maintain and develop relationships with freelance designers, visualisers, art directors and other creative suppliers.

Skills & Experience

Must haves:

• 5+ years as Art director within the marketing / advertising industry
• Proficient use of InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator or other visual design tools
• Ability to scamp / communicate concepts clearly
• Demonstrable graphic design skills
• Ability to take/give direction well
• Team player with strong communication and presentation skills
• Relevant education or training
• Experience working on creative for the youth (15-25) market
• Passionate cultural awareness of sport, music and / or wider culture
• Keen eye for detail 
• Work well under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Inspirational knowledge of art /culture / design / photography 

Nice to haves: 

• Demonstrable management / leadership skills
• A keen interest in Sports / Gaming / Music

Benefits

• Private Medical with Vitality & Medical Cash Plan
• Enhanced Paternity, Maternity & SPL Package
• Mental Health Support inc free counselling
• Personal Development Coach
• Work from Anywhere policy

To apply, click the link below

NO AGENCIES