Director, Head of Art Direction

This role reports to the GVP of Creative Marketing and partners closely with the Head of Brand Design, Creative Services, and other cross-functional teams to shape compelling on-model, campaign, and motion content that strengthens the Belk brand and drives customer engagement.

About the role

The Head of Art Direction leads the creative vision, development, and execution of photography and video content across all customer-facing marketing channels. This leader combines strategic thinking with hands-on creative expertise to evolve Belk's visual identity while delivering high-quality content that supports key marketing initiatives, seasonal campaigns, omnichannel experiences, and growth objectives.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Creative and Marketing leadership to develop and execute photography and video strategies that support brand and business objectives.
• Evolve and maintain Belk's photographic and motion visual identity across all customer touchpoints.
• Monitor industry, retail, fashion, lifestyle, and digital content trends to identify innovative creative opportunities.
• Lead creative execution for on-model, editorial, lifestyle, campaign, e-commerce, social, and promotional photography and video content.
• Partner with Marketing and Creative teams to support key launches, hero campaigns, retail initiatives, influencer collaborations, brand events, and tentpole marketing moments.
• Direct all aspects of photo and video shoots, including lighting, composition, talent direction, posing, movement/blocking, and narrowing image and footage selection.
• Support photography and video budget management and vendor relationships to maximize creative impact and operational efficiency.
• Provide creative direction throughout pre-production, production, and post-production to maintain visual quality and consistency.
• Review and approve final imagery, video edits, and retouching to ensure alignment with brand standards.
• Ensure all photography and video assets are delivered accurately, on time, and according to brand standards.
• Support the development of omnichannel marketing initiatives across digital, social, retail, print, broadcast, and emerging platforms.
• Help establish photography and video standards, workflows, and best practices that support efficient, high-quality content creation.
• Serve as a key creative partner in maintaining and evolving the brand's visual identity across photography and video.
• Champion innovation in photography, motion, editing technologies, and AI-enabled creative tools while maintaining authentic brand representation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in marketing, Advertising, Design, Visual Communications, Photography, Fine Arts, or related field.
• 10+ years professional experience in photography, art direction, creative leadership, brand marketing, or related creative disciplines.
• 5+ years leadership experience managing creative teams, agencies, freelancers, and production partners.
• 3+ years retail and brand experience developing photography and video content for retail, fashion, lifestyle or consumer brands.
• 3+ years experience directing large-scale brand campaigns, seasonal storytelling, product launches, and integrated marketing initiatives.
• Portfolio (photo and video) and social media handles are required for consideration.

Skills

• Demonstrated expertise in photography, video production, visual storytelling, lighting, composition, and post-production workflows.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to translate business objectives into compelling creative concepts and campaigns.
• Blend of creative excellence, strategic thinking, and business acumen.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities with experience managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high creative standards.
• Demonstrated proficiency Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, and After Effects.
• Experience with digital asset management systems and creative production workflows.

Schedule

• Up to 25% travel for location shoots, campaign productions, vendor meetings, industry events, and business needs.

Pay

Base pay range: $136,000 - $210,000. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to achievements, skills, experience, or work location.