Lead Designer, Brand Creative - Converse

Information about benefits can be found here.

Global Brand Creative leads the conception of verbal and visual expressions of the WHY for Converse. We enable and tell stories of creativity, self-expression and youth progress through brand, seasonal, product innovation, music and style expression narratives. The team does this work via mediums of image, film, experience, retail, digital and social.

The Lead Designer is a critical member of the global brand creative team focusing on Chuck Taylor and reports in to the Creative Director. The role requires a passion for storytelling, art direction and best in class creative execution, focusing on the look and feel of the brand, helping execute the vision alongside the Creative Director.

This position requires creating a strong partnership with the rest of the functions in the global marketing team. The Senior Designer is a master executor of concepts and creative thinking, and their experience should have a mix of a few disciplines, from photo direction, to understanding and working against a narrative, to graphic design, communication, moving image and environmental design (where needed). The position requires a strong conceptual process that drives the work across every touchpoint. It is also important to understand the various digital platforms and have a working knowledge of the creative differences between channels.

Lead brand creative designers are exceptional team players, focused on concept to execution, they work under the direction of the creative lead and alongside creative producers and global brand management. The Lead Designer will understand the seasonal strategy and always execute against it. They will also collaborate with agencies and other external creatives. They are passionate and connected to the creative industry – looking at the latest trends in art direction, graphic design, and technology. This ever-expanding knowledge, network, and interest both inspires and drives your creative thinking.

You will be a major contributor in developing the overall look & feel, visual language, and execution of our seasonal campaigns; from conceptual direction and imagery to brand experiences, pop-ups, videos and tactical elements such as logos and packaging. To this point, you strive under pressure but remain positively and emotionally engaged. Considering this, you understand and are aware of matrix navigation, multiple partner management, and can undertake enterprise thinking while at the same time sweat the details.

Tight-knit collaboration with the creative director; creative leadership on a Global level; working within a creative squad & partnering with brand management, creative production, and operations teams. You will also collaborate and guide external partners and agencies, including professionals in your respective field. 

• Absolute respect, proactivity and deep appreciation for diversity and equality in the workplace. You must embody Converse’s culture and embrace the values it stands for.
• Bachelor’s degree in brand design, graphic design, communications design, or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education and experience and training.
• A minimum of 6 years+ creative experience in art direction and/or design, with ideally a strong focus on consumer brands.
• Great human and communication skills. This includes a strong ability to listen and coach.
• Proven exceptional ability to apply and perform design skills, including drawing/sketching, typography, ideation, color theory, use of texture, art direction, visual presentation development and layout 
• Demonstrated ability to apply these skills in innovative ways that elevate brand excellence, with a comprehensive knowledge of design processes
• Experience directing photography (talent and product), illustration, and external agencies.
• Knowledge and sensitivity to trends influencing design in general, and in graphic design, lifestyle specifically
• You will have a strong foundation of technical knowledge when it comes to digital and innovative practices
• You will be able to distil briefs down in a way that allows you to showcase your thinking in creative ways
• Experience of collaborating effectively with other functions, departments, and external stakeholders
• Passion for reinventing the way we approach traditional ways of working. Not scared to challenge the past and in doing so push new creative ways of thinking and working
• Great sense of judgment and decision-making. Emotionally intelligent with a growth mindset

We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover, as you navigate our application process, that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.