Art Director at The People Brand (Detroit, MI)
The People Brand· Detroit, MI· $130k–$160k·
Role details
Job description
Confidential Premium Consumer Brand
Overview
Our client is seeking a highly creative and strategic leader to help shape and evolve the visual identity of a rapidly growing premium consumer brand. This individual will play a critical role in defining the creative vision, developing compelling brand narratives, and delivering best-in-class creative across all consumer touchpoints.
The ideal candidate brings a strong portfolio of integrated campaign work, a deep understanding of storytelling and brand building, and experience leading and developing high-performing creative teams. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact within a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment while helping scale a globally recognized brand.
Key Responsibilities
Creative Direction & Brand Storytelling
- Lead the development and execution of creative campaigns across digital, social, photography, video, print, experiential, and integrated marketing channels.
- Define and maintain creative standards, ensuring consistency across all brand expressions.
- Translate business objectives into compelling, consumer-facing creative concepts and campaigns.
- Drive innovative storytelling that strengthens brand equity and consumer engagement.
Campaign Development & Execution
- Oversee creative projects from concept through execution across multiple channels.
- Direct visual content including photography, video, social assets, digital experiences, and brand collaborations.
- Ensure all creative work is delivered on time, on budget, and aligned with strategic objectives.
- Apply consumer insights, cultural trends, and market opportunities to inform creative direction.
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary creative team.
- Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and professional development opportunities.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performing creative culture focused on excellence and innovation.
- Partner cross-functionally with marketing, content, production, and executive leadership teams.
Agency & Partner Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with external agencies, production partners, photographers, and creative vendors.
- Manage creative budgets, content production investments, and campaign resources.
- Present concepts, strategies, and creative recommendations to senior leadership.
Qualifications
Required
- 6+ years of experience within creative, art direction, or brand design roles, ideally within consumer, retail, apparel, lifestyle, or related industries.
- Strong portfolio demonstrating integrated campaigns, conceptual thinking, and exceptional visual storytelling.
- Expertise across photography, videography, typography, digital design, and brand development.
- Proven experience leading creative projects from concept through execution.
- Strong leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
- Proficiency within Adobe Creative Suite.
Preferred
- Experience developing creative across multiple channels, including digital, social, print, experiential, and video.
- Familiarity with motion graphics, After Effects, or related creative tools.
- Understanding of responsive design and modern digital best practices.
Ideal Candidate
- Equal parts creative visionary and strategic thinker.
- Passionate about building brands through compelling storytelling and innovative creative.
- Highly collaborative, resourceful, and solutions-oriented.
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
- Able to balance big-picture thinking with hands-on execution.
- Strong mentor who enjoys developing talent and elevating creative teams.
- Naturally curious, culturally aware, and continuously seeking new sources of inspiration.
Why work at The People Brand
- Culture & Values: The agency itself prides itself on being a culture-first organization, emphasizing trust, mutual respect, and true partnership. They seek to work with brands that share these values.
- Work Environment: Based in Carson, CA, with a mix of on-site and hybrid roles posted for their own team. Positions include full-time roles in locations like Carson, CA and Detroit, MI.
- Transparency: As an employer, they use AI tools to support hiring but also tout radical transparency (sharing salary and company names) as a core principle, suggesting a straightforward, honest internal culture.
- Team & Leadership: Founded and led by two experienced, purpose-driven HR leaders with a “do the right thing” mentality. You'd be learning from veterans who deeply understand the talent landscape.
- Impact: Work directly with top-tier lifestyle and CPG brands, placing talent that drives those industries forward. The agency's small, specialized nature means your work has a direct impact on client success.