Graphic Designer, Sr Temp

The Senior Graphic Designer is responsible for developing the creative strategy and direction for direct mail catalogs (all versions), local and national print media programs, magazine and local media ads, in-store events, store signage, membership club, development of brand ads and product category ads. This position is responsible for helping the team develop creative concepts, campaign themes, design and presentations. This role will drive results by influencing all aspects of the creative process – from ideation and concept all the way through presentation, approval, implementation and execution.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Partner with leadership and collaborate with key departments to develop creative that meets the needs of Marketing, Merchandising and Retail divisions.
• Actively design and provide creative mock-ups, maintain a creative “pipeline” of new ideas and new creative for all print channels that seeks to support the core brand objectives, drives success.
• Proactively ensure that marketing messaging stays fresh, compelling and relevant.
• Conceive of and develop designs for a wide range of print collateral including direct mail, in-store print advertising, local advertising, national print media (shared mail, insert mail), monthly magazine ads and weekly newspaper ads, brand ads and product category ads.
• Conceive of and design experimental or new creative concepts for use in out-of-home and digital environments, including billboards, email and online advertising.
• Present Creative work to key leaders (CEO, CAO, Marketing/E-comm VP, COO, Dept VPs, Sr. Directors, Directors and mid-level managers). Develop a working group of stakeholders and a process for concept creation and ideation.
• Build effective relationships with marketing team, packaging team, e-comm team and category management team.
• Provide clear communication/feedback as well as guidance and training to production teams relative to creative work.
• Participate in all key creative presentations to communicate creative concepts and prepare any needed materials for presentation.
• Develop and maintain a standardized style guide for all print media that will guide the category management team, production team, proofing team and photography team.
• Continually research brand competitive environment, industry best practices and marketing trends
• Actively take part in the art direction of photography.

Scope (Required)

• Staff supervision and development — Yes
• Decision making- Participate in planning business objectives; Makes decisions related to team capacity and design goals
• Travel – 10%
• Location— Remote anywhere

The anticipated rate for this position is $50.57 per hour depending on location, knowledge, skills, education and experience. Associates can accrue paid sick time up to 64 hours per year unless otherwise required by law. The Company observes 100 hours of paid holiday time.

Job Qualifications – Education and Experience

• B.A. degree in Graphic Design or related field
• 7+ years of professional experience as a Designer in a retail, catalog or multi-channel environment
• A combination of Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer direct marketing experience is a plus.
• Highly proficient in Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator (MAC environment)
• Broad expertise with print marketing in a variety of formats
• Strong background in art directing photography and product prep
• Demonstrated understanding of direct response, direct marketing, and marketing that influences behavior via “calls to action” and offers
• Ability to work at a very high “macro” level with concepts and themes as well as the capacity to “get granular” and be hands on with projects as needed
• Experience with and enjoy working in a fast paced, fast changing, publishing environment managing multiple concurrent projects
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills with the ability to be open minded and accept constructive criticism
• Firm understanding and proven track record of driving the business through great creative, emphasizing theme, great offers and mock-ups
• Experience and ability to present to all levels of leadership (CEO/Owner on down) with confidence
• Adept at leading a concept meeting, presenting creative to a larger group, guiding the creative process via reviews and check-ins that drive toward a productive outcome
• Comfortable working in a collaborative environment; demonstrated ability and a passion for working to assimilate diverse ideas from a variety of stakeholders and contributors

Physical Requirements
General office environment requiring ability to:

• stand, walk, sit for extended periods of time
• speak and listen to others in person and over the phone
• use keyboard and read from computer screen and reports
• lift up to 15 lbs.

We’re a 45 year-old, $8 billion national tool retailer with the energy, enthusiasm, and growth potential of a start-up. We have over 1,600 stores in 48 states across the country and are opening several new locations every week. We offer our customers more than 7,000 tools and accessories, from hand tools and generators to air and power tools, from shop equipment to automotive tools. We provide our customers with the right tool for the right job at the right price, always delivering quality and value.