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The VP, Creative Director drives creative strategy, big ideas, stand-out design, and team leadership that elevates the global brand experience. This role leads and orchestrates all phases of brand go-to-market creative development to bring industry changing creative solutions that differentiate and enhances KEEN’s unique brand and product position.
Core Responsibilities
• Leads the creative vision and direction for KEEN, reflecting KEEN’s values and mission thoughtful and purposeful shoemaker.
• Establishes and curates the visual brand guidelines across all assets in design, copy, video/photography to build consistency and ownership of our global brand look and feel.
• Protects the brand. Heads and directs the overall quality, innovation, and creative vision. Ensures a high standard of visual execution across all media and campaigns. Guides written and visual articulation of ideas into campaign concepts.
• Directs and oversees creative department organizational strategies by contributing information, analysis, and recommendations to strategic thinking and direction; establishing functional objectives in line with organization goals. Translates business and marketing objectives into clear, design strategies.
• Develops overall marketing strategies. Evaluate creative strategy and execution of all new work. Translate marketing objectives into clear creative strategies. Oversee the creative process from concept to completion.
• Advises on brief design, structure and process.
• Oversees deliverables, timelines and budgets on creative development. Oversees quality control and consistency across copy and art direction.
• Manages and develops the design team, including art directors, copywriters, graphic designers, photographers, and videographers. Provides direction and leadership to freelance resources where appropriate.
• Manages and leads creative reviews and presentations, while successfully presenting concepts and powerful narratives for senior management, sales teams and external audiences in order to influence business and creative decisions.
• Based on target consumer and market insights, manage, direct, and inspire internal and external creative teams across the core creative pillars: design, editorial, photography, video and brand experience.
• Concept brand, seasonal and product launch campaigns grounded in clear brand consistency, engagement strategy and insights. Stay up to date with new innovations and industry trends. Uncover innovative ways to incorporate emerging and new media formats into campaigns. Present to company and key accounts where appropriate; and lead team in superior execution.
• Collaborates with cross functional teams to deliver creative ideas, strategies and design across all product categories and brand led initiatives. Work closely with multidisciplinary project teams
Education And Experience Required
• Bachelor’s Degree marketing, advertising, design, or related field required
• 10+ years Proven experience as a Creative Director or similar role in the footwear or related industry required
Competencies
• Strong portfolio showcasing successful brand campaigns and creative projects.
• In-depth knowledge of marketing principles, consumer behavior, and industry trends.
• Proficient in creative software and tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, graphic design, and video editing.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire a creative team.
• Strong conceptual thinking and strategic planning abilities.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills to effectively convey creative ideas and concepts.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
• Understanding of digital marketing channels and emerging media platforms.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365, including SharePoint and Teams.
• Working knowledge of project management software
• Project Management certification preferred.
• International experience is preferred.
Travel Required
• 20% Domestic and International
Base Salary: $225,000 – $250,000 yearly
This range represents the low and high end of the anticipated base salary range for this position. The actual base salary will depend on numerous factors such as: experience, knowledge and skills, and location. Our base salary is just one component of our competitive total rewards strategy which includes numerous benefits and perks as well as specific health and welfare benefits.
Why Work at KEEN: Driven by a passion for life outside, KEEN is a values-led, independently owned brand from Portland, Oregon, that’s on a mission to create original and versatile products, improve lives, and inspire outside adventure. Founded in 2003, KEEN launched a revolution in the footwear industry with the introduction of the Newport adventure sandal, and has donated more than $18 million to non-profit organizations and causes around the world to promote responsible outdoor recreation, including conservation efforts to protect open spaces. KEEN strives to show the world through its products and its actions that a business for good can actually be good for business. By giving back, reducing impact, and activating communities and individuals to protect the places where we work and play, KEEN puts its values in motion and takes action to leave the world a better place. At KEEN, we believe in a more just and equitable future for all people. As a global brand, we acknowledge that our business, buildings, and daily lives exist within the traditional territories of indigenous peoples. We strive for a future that recognizes the knowledge, rights, and resilience of these peoples.
KEEN Footwear is an equal opportunity employer. We value an inclusive and diverse community. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.
