Associate Creative Director Job at Quad in Springfield

As a global marketing experience company, Quad's goal is to help our clients win every day. We use our data-driven integrated marketing and manufacturing platform to streamline solutions for our clients, reduce friction and enhance their marketing spend effectiveness. We've built a rich legacy by believing in our people, allowing them to act like owners and to take charge of their own success. Whether an operator, sales rep, a graphic artist or a clinician, we're all driven to perform at our best- for ourselves and our clients. At our core, we're a company that believes we can always create a better way.

Are you passionate about the outdoors and inspired by the call of the wild? Do you believe great design can connect people to nature and preserve it for generations to come? We're looking for an Associate Creative Director (ACD) who lives and breathes outdoor culture-someone who can channel that passion into compelling creative work that resonates with outdoor enthusiasts and conservation-minded consumers.

As ACD, you'll be a strategic and visionary leader guiding the creative direction of campaigns that celebrate outdoor recreation, wildlife conservation, and the spirit of adventure. You'll collaborate closely with our internal project team and the Bass Pro Shops Brand Creative team to develop seasonal campaigns and category-specific initiatives across hunting, fishing, apparel, and outdoor lifestyle segments.

This role is client-facing and requires not only strong conceptual thinking and leadership, but also a deep understanding of the values and behaviors of outdoor consumers. You'll ensure that every creative deliverable reflects the authenticity, heritage, and conservation mission that define the Bass Pro Shops experience.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Must exemplify a 5-tool creative performer : Creative (thinker, doer, leader), Collaborative (internally / externally), Conceptual (a passion for the big idea), Client Facing (endeared to client and needs), Growth Cultured (is culture forward and looks for avenues for growth).
• Leads creative output across assigned client groups, ensuring the development and execution of final deliverables that consistently align with the organization's marketing objectives and meet the highest standards of quality.
• Concepts, develops, and oversees the creative integrity, brand consistency, and authenticity of all work produced for the account.
• Develops, designs, and presents creative concepts and media strategies for new projects, securing client approval through clear and compelling communication of ideas.
• Supports departmental efficiency through the implementation of continuous improvement strategies and process optimization initiatives.
• Develops, designs, and presents comprehensive campaign and brand guidelines that clearly communicate art direction and graphic standards to the client's internal production teams, ensuring consistency and alignment across all creative outputs.
• Demonstrate strong strategic thinking capabilities while effectively managing multiple priorities, anticipating needs, coordinating tight deadlines, and accurately estimating time requirements for project completion.
• Ensures the highest standards of creative and design excellence are consistently maintained by upholding rigorous quality expectations for both them and their team.
• Participates in client turnover meetings to gather essential project information and contribute to strategic planning by providing creative recommendations that align with the client's goals and support broader campaign objectives.
• Facilitates timely and effective communication of project direction and design across all stakeholders, ensuring that all creative team members are fully equipped with the necessary information and resources to achieve project objectives.
• Maintains awareness of current graphic design and advertising trends, applying relevant insights to enhance the effectiveness and creativity of client work.
• Supervising art directors, graphic designers, and copywriters as needed.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Appropriate education and / or experience may be substituted on an equivalent basis

Education : Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design and Advertising (or related field)

Experience : 8+ years of experience in a creative capacity with previous roles as an Art Director, Associate Creative Director or similar agency background is highly desired

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities :

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We offer excellent benefits to eligible employees, including 401(k), holidays, vacations and more.

Quad is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a place of belonging - a space where employees do not need to sacrifice who they are to exist and grow in our workplace. Quad does not discriminate on any unlawful basis including race, religion, color, national origin, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Quad also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories.

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