Hybrid, Associate Art Director - Zales & Banter

Responsibilities

• Help concept, plan, and execute on-set art direction for campaign and product shoots across both brands — from casting and styling references to set design, lighting mood, and post-production direction.
• Partner with the Creative Director and Copywriter to develop campaign territories, taglines, and visual platforms that flex across the everyday elevated Zales register and the high energy Banter voice.
• Build polished, presentation-ready decks and creative pitches for internal leadership, cross-functional partners, and external brand collaborators.
• Design and adapt assets across channels from digital, social, email, paid media, in-store, and OOH — ensuring every touchpoint feels cohesive and elevated.
• Maintain and evolve the visual identity for both brands, keeping work distinct, consistent, and unique from other competitors.
• Think strategically: bring a point of view, not just execution and comfortable navigating brand tensions to sharpen and push the creative.
• Stay attuned to cultural trends and competitive landscape to keep Zales and Banter’s creative fresh, relevant, and authentic.
• Work alongside brand marketing, merchandising, digital, and social partners to deliver creative that's both gorgeous and grounded in business goals.
• Help prep decks, wardrobe and styling notes, retouching markups, and shot lists that keep productions running smoothly.
• Lead and champion best practices in adhering to brand guidelines including craft, typography, design, and campaign storytelling.
• Collaborate fluidly across teams to drive alignment and momentum.
• Take a solution-oriented approach when partnering with peers and leadership, contributing new ideas while aligning on creative direction.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Design, or Photography, Advertising, Visual Communications, or a related field.
• 5+ years of art direction and/or design experience, ideally in retail, fashion, beauty, or lifestyle brands (in-house or agency).
• A portfolio that shows real range: strong photo/video art direction, polished multi-channel design, and the kind of presentation and pitch work that wins a room.
• Fluency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and presentation tools (Keynote/PowerPoint), Figma for web design, and motion skills are a plus.
• The range to shift between an elevated, emotional aesthetic and a bold, trend-forward one — sometimes in the same day.
• A self-starter who can take a loose brief and run with it, owning projects end to end with minimal hand-holding.
• On-set experience and comfort directing photographers, stylists, and crew.
• Sharp instincts for typography, layout, color, and composition.
• A collaborative spirit, strong organizational skills, and the ability to juggle multiple projects against deadlines.

Benefits

• Premium Healthcare Coverage – Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans to keep you and your family covered.
• 401(k) with Company Match – Invest in your future with a generous retirement savings plan, including company matching after just one year.
• Generous Time Off – Recharge with a robust PTO package, plus company holidays.
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Programs – Be part of a culture that celebrates diverse perspectives and fosters belonging.
• Career Growth & Development – Opportunities for leadership development, mentorship, and continuous learning.
• Exclusive Perks – Enjoy additional benefits, wellness programs, employee discounts, and more!