Senior Art Director

WHO WE ARE:

World leaders in activating growth with precision and empathy at scale.

As a global, next-generation precision marketing agency we leverage data, creativity, technology, and empathy to foster client growth. We champion individuality in the marketing solutions we create, and in our workplace. We fight for solutions that adapt to the individual’s needs, beliefs, behaviors, and aspirations.

We foster an inclusive workplace that emphasizes personal well-being.

HOW WE DO IT:

Our fearless superconnectors help to create value from personal brand experiences by focusing on three key areas: connected data, connected content and connected decisioning.

Our data analysts identify who that person is, our strategists understand what they want, and our award-winning technologists and creatives know how to deliver it – ensuring we’re able to activate authentic customer connections for our clients.

Kern is part of RAPP, comprised of 2,000+ creatives, technologists, strategists and marketing scientists across 15+ global markets. We are part of Omnicom’s Precision Marketing Group.

YOUR ROLE:

Kern is seeking a Senior Art Director who brings strong conceptual thinking, elevated design skills, and the ability to lead projects through execution. In this role, you will drive the creative process, mentor junior team members, and collaborate closely with copywriters, designers, and cross-functional teams to deliver innovative and impactful campaigns. You will push boundaries, elevate creative work, and set the bar for design excellence. 

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Comprehension: Thoughtfully question briefs and help clarify objectives with an informed understanding of the client’s business and the creative ask.
• Ideation: Self-start on ideation and lead brainstorming sessions with junior team members to inspire fresh, inclusive ideas.
• Craft & Execution: Consistently deliver polished, flawless designs that demonstrate mastery of typography, layout, and composition.
• Iteration & Elevation: Provide multiple, well-considered solutions to creative challenges and push beyond the brief when appropriate.
• Directing & Managing: Manage your workflow effectively while mentoring and guiding junior team members to produce their best work.
• Storytelling & Selling: Confidently present your concepts and designs to internal teams and clients, articulating the strategy and creative vision behind the work.
• Business Contribution: Approach creative challenges with a business mindset, delivering work that drives results for both clients and the agency.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the development of creative concepts and designs that align with client goals and strategies across multiple media platforms (digital, social, print, etc.).
• Collaborate with copywriters, designers, and other cross-functional team members to deliver cohesive, impactful campaigns.
• Translate strategic objectives into visually compelling designs that adhere to brand guidelines while pushing creative boundaries.
• Mentor junior art directors and designers, providing constructive feedback to help them grow their skills and confidence.
• Present work to internal teams and clients with clarity and confidence, incorporating feedback as needed to refine the final product.
• Stay current with design trends, tools, and technologies, and proactively apply them to enhance creative outcomes.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, balancing timelines and priorities to meet deadlines without compromising quality.
• Refine and elevate the design process, ensuring efficiency and consistency across all creative deliverables.

SUCCESS CRITERIA:

• Delivery of exceptional creative work that meets or exceeds client expectations.
• Clear and effective communication with team members and clients, fostering trust and collaboration.
• Consistent mentorship and support for junior team members, contributing to their growth and development.
• Proactive exploration of design trends and tools, with a focus on incorporating them into creative solutions.
• Efficient management of deliverables, ensuring work is on time, on brand, and on brief.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience: 4+ years of art direction experience, with a portfolio showcasing produced work across digital, print, and social media.
• Design Craft: Mastery of typography, layout, color theory, and composition, with exceptional attention to detail.
• Technical Proficiency:
  • Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
  • Proficiency in Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch is a must.
  • Experience with PowerPoint, Keynote, and Adobe Acrobat is a bonus.
  • Curiosity about experimenting with AI tools and emerging design technologies..
• Leadership: Ability to mentor and guide junior team members, fostering a culture of collaboration and creativity.
• Communication: Confident and persuasive presentation skills, with the ability to articulate ideas clearly to clients and internal teams.
• Adaptability: Thrive under pressure, manage competing priorities, and deliver exceptional work in a fast-paced environment.

Our Hybrid Work Model:

KERN's current hybrid model is designed to enable in-person connections and collaboration that is core to our culture, while also supporting flexibility for all employees. As such, we have the option to work from home two days per week, if we'd like.

KERN provides a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits plan. Benefits for this role include health/vision/dental insurance, 401(k), stock options, Healthcare & Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts, vacation, sick, and personal days and positive activism days, paid parental leave and disability benefits. For more information regarding Omnicom benefits, please visit www.omnicombenefits.com. A reasonable estimate of the salary for this role, at the time of posting, is $85,000 - $110,000. This range is specific to Los Angeles and multiple factors are considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to: skill set, experience and training, certifications; etc. This is an exempt position. If your requirements fall outside of this range, you are still welcome to apply.

“As an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status.”

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.