ART DIRECTOR

Association Solutions

Position Location: York, PA

Hours: Full-Time, Monday – Friday | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Other hours as needed.

Scope:  As an essential visual communicator, the Art Director plays a pivotal role in conceiving and designing sophisticated and compelling creative projects in print and digital formats. This seasoned professional serves as an inspired creator and collaborator, adept at working independently or collaboratively to produce engaging design for a wide range of association industries with diverse member types. Reporting directly to the Creative Director, the Art Director upholds and exceeds the highest standards of technical and design excellence across member communications. Success in this role requires the individual to actively mentor design team members and effectively communicate directly with the client in writing and in meetings.

Essential Functions 

The position exists to perform the essential functions as outlined below. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Oversee and run superior creative projects from client kickoff and research to final deliverables.
• Direct daily and weekly activities with Creative Director to ensure deadlines are met and the end product exceeds client expectations.
• Participate in and evaluate strategic and analytical planning where appropriate.
• Collaborate with the Creative Director, VP Member Communications, Developer, Senior Art Director, Graphic Designers, and Account Managers, ensuring that industry standards are not only met but surpassed.
• Participate as a member of the YGS Associations Solutions team in planning, developing, and delivering new business pitches.
• Works with the Creative Director on budget management and time estimates.
• Lead the integration of new technologies and digital tools for content delivery and help to impart knowledge to the team. Act as a driving force for innovation, inspiring others to adapt and embrace emerging trends in the field.
• Uphold strict adherence to schedules set by Account Managers, demonstrating an exemplary approach to time management to help foster a team culture of efficiency and productivity.
• Actively engage in meetings, taking a pivotal role in discussions involving clients and in sending proofs to clients.
• Ensure the quality and timeliness of creative content and encourage team members to contribute valuable insights.
• Lead by example in presenting ideas clearly and concisely, ensuring that concepts are communicated with precision and impact.
• Demonstrate resilience and adaptability to change and transitions. Encourage a positive mindset towards change, encouraging others to navigate uncertainties with flexibility and creativity.
• Play an important role in updating tasks in Webvantage, setting a positive example for others with efficient time logging and task management. In server organization, set an example by ensuring meticulous organization of files and folders, and guiding team members in maintaining a systematic approach.
• Demonstrate thorough preparation for weekly meetings, not just personally but by encouraging a culture of preparedness within the team.
• Guide the finalization of work for digital and print production, ensuring the highest quality and accuracy, imparting to other team members valuable insights for flawless execution.

Education:

• A high school diploma/or GED equivalency is required.
• A four-year bachelor’s degree in design, advertising, or communications is preferred.

Skills & Experience:

• Have at least two years of experience as an Art Director and four years in a Senior Graphic Design role, or the equivalent.
• Apply effective principles and techniques of design, including print and digital publications, web design, and other fixed and reflowable formats.
• Establish and maintain a reputation for innovation and creativity.
• Stay informed of the latest creative trends.
• Maintain knowledge of production skills.
• Apply the latest techniques in new media and technology.
• Understand and apply text edits from clients with an eye for detail.
• Mastery of Microsoft Office products on Mac and PC platforms, Adobe Acrobat, InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
• Knowledge of pre-flight and printing specifications.
• Teamwork and collaboration—give full attention to detail, team, client meetings and discussions; ensure accuracy and understanding of expected tasks and objectives.
• Excellent communication skills— Strong writing ability with command of appropriate grammar, style, vocabulary, and proofreading ability. Demonstrates confident and articulate public speaking and presentation skills in live and remote virtual environments.
• Strong organizational skills—demonstrates a systematic approach in carrying out assignments to lead and keep project delivery on target. Great attention to detail. 
• Ability to multi-task—manages multiple tasks at one time; quickly and accurately shifts attention among multiple tasks under distracting conditions without loss of accuracy or appearance of frustration.
• A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation are required.

Physical Requirements:

Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• This is approximately a 90% sedentary role with the balance of time required interacting or helping with internal and external customers. 
• The position will require the ability to speak, convey information clearly and effectively, hear, listen, and interpret information accurately, see, sit, bend, stand, stoop, push, pull, lift, lower, and grasp, as necessary. 
• The position may occasionally lift to 20 pounds and regularly lift 10 pounds. 
• The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness. 
• The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• This position works in a temperature-controlled office environment.
• Must adhere to safety protocols.

To apply, submit your resume to careers@theYGSgroup.com.

Notice to All Applicants: This posting is not intended to provide an all-inclusive list of duties, rather to provide an overview of essential functions and basic duties. Requirements, skills, and abilities included, have been determined to be the minimal standards required to successfully perform in the position. In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities, and requirements delineated be interpreted as all-inclusive. Employment with The YGS Group is at-will. The employment process with The YGS Group includes a pre-employment background check and post-offer physical and drug screen. The YGS Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug-Free Workplace.