We make Merino wool socks and apparel to fuel adventures outside. Because we want to help you go far and feel good. As a company, we live by our values, every day: Openness We strive to be more transparent every day. From sharing more about our supply chain to simply letting people know the direction we plan on heading; we want to build and maintain trust with our customers and friends. Advocacy We believe in doing everything we can to sustain and preserve our one-of-a-kind, awe-inspiring environment. From building trails to partnering with organizations that protect nature, the Smartwool community wants to help give everyone the opportunity to experience the joy of the outdoors. Action We relentlessly pursue our goals. It’s one thing to say something and it’s another to do the thing you say. We want to back our desires with actions that put things in motion. We know that the most difficult problems are always the most rewarding to solve. Inclusivity We believe that the outdoors belongs to no one and, at the same time, to everyone. We believe in being compassionate, actively kind, generous, and accountable to everyone. What’s the good of creating all of this if we can’t share it? Fun-Loving We got into this whole thing (socks, base layers, etc.) because it’s fun to be outside. We hope to never lose sight of the thing that inspired us to create all of this—the joy of being in wild places. We want our gear and culture to inspire joyful, spontaneous, and wild moments in the outdoors for everyone, including ourselves.
Creative Director, Smartwool
The Creative Director drives the overall brand voice and creative content for Smartwool– both internally and externally – and is responsible for managing and providing leadership to the internal Creative Team. This role partners with cross-functional leaders to meet creative, marketing, brand, and business objectives. Core areas of responsibility include brand messaging and product storytelling, which is applied to everything from campaigns to packaging to digital and retail communications. The Creative Director must be ready & able to bring the big ideas, provide strategic perspective to the creative process, and act as an evangelist for innovative, modern, premium, and on-brand creative working hard to maintain Smartwool’s brand vision and image.
How You Will Make a Difference
Champion Smartwool’s brand voice in support of the overall creative vision and business needs
Understand our entire customer journey, inclusive of all experiences, regardless of channel. Bring informed storytelling and an approachable tone to every touchpoint, in collaboration with the greater team
Drive and direct brand messaging deliverables across all creative efforts to deliver compelling stories that simply and strongly explain the “why” and reasons to believe in a product
Collaborate effectively as a creative partner with internal cross functional business partners including the marketing team, product, and outside agencies/partners
Continuously promote and evolve the Brand Style Guide to drive brand consistency across channels
Share best practices and innovative creative solutions from the competitive landscape with a continuous pulse on current trends and noteworthy activities
Inspire the design team with energy, passion, and thought leadership
Manage the creative services team which includes project management projects and department OPEX budget; and adjust resources as necessary
Develop and mentor designers and copywriters to be best in class via timely, effective feedback
Inspire and motivate the entire creative team by promoting a high-performance fun environment, a strong sense of urgency, quality standards, creative exploration, innovation, and continuous learning
Focus team efforts to ensure efficiency, prioritize projects, align resources and measure results
Skills for Success
A successful candidate will bring in-depth experience across all mediums including both print and digital design; proven ability to lead and mentor a copy, design and creative services team; solid business and project management chops; and strong relationship management skills in a highly driven, fast moving cross functional environment.
Minimum of 10 years of creative leadership experience, with a focus on high quality design and content in premium consumer and e-commerce environments
Minimum of 4 years of people management within creative or studio environments
Proven leadership ability to build a team by identifying the right creative talent
Demonstrated expertise in a broad array of areas including multi-channel campaigns, digital and print advertising, retail, packaging, wholesale fixturing and POP, web design and usability
Trained sensitivity to graphic design constraints
Good eye for detail with a locked eye on the big picture
Expertise in managing external partners, agencies, and freelancers
Highly organized with good project management skills. Able to juggle multiple, and sometimes, conflicting priorities and needs
Excellent communication and presentation skills
Skilled in Adobe Suite, as well as Microsoft Suite
Self-driven leader able to work in a fast moving, ever-changing cross-functional team environment
Proactive in nature and driven to act with a sense of urgency; able to work well under pressure and with demanding deadlines
A global mind-set with a keen interest to help grow the Smartwool brand globally
Successful track record leading a team; able to delegate, coach, mentor and provide effective direction and feedback
Strong collaboration and influence skills; able to build effective relationships with stakeholders across organizational levels
Optimistic, energetic and naturally brings the fun to the office
Free to Be, Inclusion & Diversity
As a purpose-led, performance driven company, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness, and authenticity. We are committed to building and maintaining a workplace that celebrates the diversity of our associates, allowing them to bring their authentic selves to work every day.
VF Guiding Principles: Live with Integrity, Act Courageously, Be Curious, Act with Empathy, and Persevere.
What’s In It for You
We’re in the business of unleashing human potential, driven by the ideas, energy and commitment of our people. That’s why we offer comprehensive benefits that encourage mental, physical and financial well-being for all VF associates. When it comes to benefits, we’re the total package. Go to MyVFBenefits.com and click on “Looking to Join VF?” to learn more.
Our Parent Company, VF Corporation
VF is one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies connecting people to the lifestyles, activities and experiences they cherish through our family of iconic outdoor, active and workwear brands. At the heart of our journey lies our company-wide purpose: We power movements of sustainable and active lifestyles for the betterment of people and our planet. This is our purpose. It’s the reason we come to work every day. It’s a commitment shared by our global associates across all brands. Our purpose unites us and leads us to pursue our goals, together. This is our calling. Learn more at vfc.com.
We just have one question. Are you in?
Pay Range:
$155,520.00 USD - $233,280.00 USD annually
Incentive Potential:
This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.
Long-Term Incentive:
This is position is eligible to be nominated annually to participate in a Long-Term Incentive Plan. Specific details of the plan will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.
Benefits at VF Corporation:
You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year's medical plan rates on
www.MyVFbenefits.com
and by clicking Looking to Join VF? Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process.
Please note, our pay ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws.
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