Director, Production Design - In-store and Retail Environments

Company description

We're a team of makers and dreamers, turning strategic ideas into flawless retail executions. We collaborate closely with our clients to elevate the expected and embrace the new, the next, and the complex.

Nothing is impossible— If you can shop it, we can do it.

We’re looking for a Director of Production Design with extensive experience in print-focused in-store and retail work to join our team!

In this role you will oversee the creation of graphic assets that align with the brand's aesthetics and uphold rigorous production standards. You will guide and mentor your team, ensuring they excel in both creative and technical aspects of their work. You will collaborate with other departments, leveraging your deep expertise in graphic design, production, mechanical building, printing, and digital post operations to support cross-functional initiatives and drive strategic goals.

This role requires a blend of creative vision, technical expertise, leadership acumen, and strategic thinking, all aimed at driving the success of the production design department and the organization.

PLEASE NOTE:
This is a hybrid role based out of our Cincinnati office and will require onsite engagement an average of 3 days/week. All candidates should be commutable to the Cincinnati metro and willing to commit to a hybrid schedule.

• Lead initiatives to improve processes, developing tools and provide recommendations to enhance efficiency and the quality of client deliverables.
• Develop and implement a strategic vision for the team, aligning design output with broader company objectives and market trends.
• Manage, mentor, and guide junior designers and team members, providing constructive feedback and fostering professional growth.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, vendors, and cross-functional leaders, ensuring alignment and collaboration across all teams.
• Monitor day-to-day staff coverage, including in-office attendance and PTO, ensuring resource forecasting aligns with agency plans.
• Create on-brand, production-ready design assets and materials including instore displays, banners, signage, window clings, and similar deliverables.

• 10+ years of progressively-responsible professional experience in graphic and production design with a focus on leading in-store, retail, or shopper marketing design teams; prior experience within an advertising agency, in-house agency, or consultancy environment is preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in graphic design or a similar field preferred; experience may be substituted.
• Prior experience leading teams in the on-time, on-brand, and on-budget design, production, and delivery of print-focused retail or shopper campaigns including in-store, POS, POP, displays, banners, signage, etc.
• Prior experience partnering directly with clients to confidently present work, articulate rationale for approach in the context of both business and user needs, and workshop and brainstorm iterative changes to ongoing projects.
• Deep understanding of the full print production and design process from concept to design to production.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Keynote, and PowerPoint; additional experience with 3d/rendering tools preferred.
• An eye for high-end photography and design.
• Expertise in design principles including layout, typography, color, composition, and current design trends.
• Knowledge of prepress, mechanical building, and the print production process including substrates, die lines, etc.
• Comfort operating with a high level of ownership, autonomy, and accountability.
• Ability to accept and synthesize feedback quickly while maintaining design integrity.
• Experience leading and working within a cross-functional, multi-disciplinary team on retail- and instore-focused campaigns.
• A natural sense of urgency and an ability to work quickly, efficiently, and accurately within tight deadlines and constantly-evolving project parameters, scope, and goals.
• Flexible and adaptable with an ability to manage and prioritize multiple concurrent projects.
• Highly collaborative but independently capable.
• A portfolio showcasing print, in-store,…