Manager, Creative Services - Girls & Plush

About the role

The Manager of Creative Services will guide a talented team of digital and graphic designers across our exciting brand portfolio. You'll help bring our brands to life through social media, retail experiences, style guides, marketing campaigns, and more.

Responsibilities

• Manage and guide the design and development process (including brainstorming, design, prototype development, and production) while ensuring deliverables are met within scheduled deadlines
• Lead development of innovative design systems that are functional while also maintaining the aesthetics and brand integrity to meet objectives
• Recognize team strengths and skill sets and provides mentorship to Senior Designers, Designers, associate designers, nurturing their professional growth and skills development
• Ensure quality control and efficiency across projects and workflows. Support Senior Manager, Director and above
• Advise individual goal-setting process for team members
• Delegate tasks and responsibilities across the team to enhance and develop skill sets
• Document and participate in mid-year and yearly performance reviews of staff
• Provide Art Direction and inspiration of strong design execution for the team
• Strong sense of design in the applicable for digital and print
• Guide team on research of consumer and market trends
• Responsible for managing time-line requirements and maintaining schedule to support production, and communicating with Senior Director on updates, progress, objectives, and any issues
• Lead communication with cross-function teams to quickly and efficiently resolve any issues
• Lead cross functional team meetings with domestic and international teams
• Responsible for ensuring designs accurately represent the company’s brand
• Enforce and track staff follow and fully execute all department processes
• Ensure final art is submission ready for licensor approvals
• Leads Communication with Brand as needed
• Follow workflow and protocols to ensure final deliverables are error-free
• Strong knowledge and ability to art direct both print and digital (organic/paid social) projects
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Supervisor Responsibilities: Manage People: Yes
• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, art or other applicable field is a plus
• 5+ years of professional graphic design experience, with a focus in the toy/baby/costume/pets industry
• 2+ years of leadership experience, with experience managing a team
• Experience working with style guides
• Experience managing projects
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office & G-Suite
• Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign)
• Excellent graphic design skills and ability to art direct
• An eye for innovation and creativity
• Able to make strategic, well-informed decisions and meet deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop productive and professional relationships
• Effective and efficient visual, verbal, and written communication skills
• Working knowledge of printing processes (4 color, spot colors, mechanical preparation, paper stock, and file formats)
• A clear understanding of print expectations, including, bleeds, die lines, retouching, formats, resolution, etc.
• Exhibit interest and proactively gains knowledge of the current trends/innovations as well as an understanding the competitive marketplace in the toy industry
• Knowledge of materials and multiple manufacturing processes
• Knowledge of working with licensed brands
• Exceptional visual, verbal, and written communication skills
• Able to multitask, organize, prioritize, and manage time efficiently
• Demonstrates a strong design sense, including a well-developed sense of aesthetics
• Can easily adapt to shifting priorities, and can manage multiple priorities at one time, while also demonstrating vigilance in keeping projects moving forward and hitting deadlines

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, art or other applicable field
• 5+ years of professional graphic design experience, with a focus in the toy/baby/costume/pets industry
• 2+ years of leadership experience, with experience managing a team
• Experience working with style guides
• Experience managing projects
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office & G-Suite
• Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign)
• Excellent graphic design skills and ability to art direct
• An eye for innovation and creativity
• Able to make strategic, well-informed decisions and meet deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop productive and professional relationships
• Effective and efficient visual, verbal, and written communication skills
• Working knowledge of printing processes (4 color, spot colors, mechanical preparation, paper stock, and file formats)
• A clear understanding of print expectations, including, bleeds, die lines, retouching, formats, resolution, etc.
• Exhibit interest and proactively gains knowledge of the current trends/innovations as well as an understanding the competitive marketplace in the toy industry
• Knowledge of materials and multiple manufacturing processes
• Knowledge of working with licensed brands
• Exceptional visual, verbal, and written communication skills
• Able to multitask, organize, prioritize, and manage time efficiently
• Demonstrates a strong design sense, including a well-developed sense of aesthetics
• Can easily adapt to shifting priorities, and can manage multiple priorities at one time, while also demonstrating vigilance in keeping projects moving forward and hitting deadlines

Skills

• Strong sense of design in the applicable for digital and print
• Strong knowledge and ability to art direct both print and digital (organic/paid social) projects

Benefits

• Basic medical insurance that is 100% company-paid for employees and their children
• Employee basic life and AD&D insurance
• A 401(K) retirement program with Jazwares matching up to 4% of pretax or post-tax deferrals
• Short and long-term disability
• Tuition reimbursement
• A flexible work schedule that includes a Monday through Thursday on-site, with an optional WFH on Fridays, up to 20 workdays fully remote each year
• Time Off for vacation and sick leave
• Opportunity to volunteer for up to 16 hours a year on community service projects

Pay

Base salary may vary based on experience, role tenure, performance, industry, and location. Eligibility for the annual performance incentive may apply.

Schedule

Flexible work schedule that includes a Monday through Thursday on-site, with an optional WFH on Fridays, up to 20 workdays fully remote each year.