Creative Director

Who We Are

Athletics works with clients to craft identity systems and brand experiences that meet the needs of contemporary business. Whether working with entrepreneurs to turn good ideas into sustainable businesses or helping industry leaders meet the demands of modern media, we employ strategy, design, and technology to help partners express their brands, drive their businesses, and empower their people.

Our People

Since our inception in 2011, Athletics has always prioritized the happiness and well-being of our team – both at work and in life. Our approach to people aims to touch every aspect of the employee experience — from benefits and perks, to work-life balance, to professional development, and everything in between. Our culture is often described as warm, welcoming, and supportive, but with an unwavering dedication to our craft, and a very healthy dose of fun. We take our work seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. When it comes to our team, we believe that everyone should be able to be themselves at work, and our differences should be celebrated. At its heart, the Athletics culture can always be traced back to our 4 core values of optimism, craft, curiosity, and humanity.

We are a remote-first team, with the majority of our staff based in New York. Our serene and light-filled studio in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn is available and fully-functional for those seeking an in-person work environment.

Your Role

We’re looking for an experienced Creative Director with an unwavering appetite for big ideas, creativity, and a passion for building brands and experiences that people love. We pride ourselves on our ability to think strategically and creatively for all our clients and partners, and as Creative Director you will be leading the charge and guiding our design team, to turn big ideas into reality.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

Liaise seamlessly with studio Partners and senior team members in other departments — Strategy, Technology, New Business, People Ops — to further the company’s strategic plans.
Working alongside the Executive Creative Director, be the creative voice of Athletics, both internally as well as in the design community at large.
Be a leader for the Athletics design team — be brilliant at inspiring, motivating and organizing them to do their best work. Ensure your team is always prepared for meetings, presentations and pitches.
Set the bar high within your own design practice, and act as an example for others on the design team to follow.
Conduct annual performance reviews of team members beneath you to help them succeed and maximize their potential.
Liaise seamlessly with studio Partners and senior team members in other departments — Strategy, Technology, New Business, People Ops — to further the company’s strategic plans.
Working alongside the Executive Creative Director, be the creative voice of Athletics, both internally as well as in the design community at large.
Be a leader for the Athletics design team — be brilliant at inspiring, motivating and organizing them to do their best work. Ensure your team is always prepared for meetings, presentations and pitches.
Set the bar high within your own design practice, and act as an example for others on the design team to follow.
Conduct annual performance reviews of team members beneath you to help them succeed and maximize their potential.

Requirements:

10+ years of creative experience, a minimum of 3 years leading a design team within an agency.
Credible leader in all facets of contemporary design, and a highly strategic thinker.
All design backgrounds welcome. Bachelor’s degree in design recommended, but not required.

Key Experience & Knowledge:

Strategic thinker and natural problem solver, with the judgment, experience and decisiveness to turn ideas into action.
A brilliant creative with a proven track record for solving business problems with creative solutions
A great planner who constantly thinks ahead about the needs of the team, the account, and the client – able to prioritize, delegate and understand resourcing needs.
A natural leader who can provide insight, encouragement, and constructive direction to those working with you.
Sound judgment and strong decision-making skills
Have a firm grasp of the clients’ world and strategic landscape, and be able to express your POV with confidence.
A clear voice within Athletics

Technical Skills:

Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
Understand and be able to move freely between contemporary digital tools such as Sketch, Principle, and Figma (full proficiency not required).
Proficiency with motion tools such as After Effects, Cinema 4D, Premiere Pro, and Final Cut a bonus.

Interpersonal Skills:

Determined and tenacious — a ‘nothing is impossible’ spirit, unafraid to try and fail
Challenging of yourself and others to get the best out of each other
Generous and open-minded; able to share in wins and losses, always seeing the strength of the team.
Committed, confident, inspiring
Curious about the world around you
Relentlessly energetic and positive, up for any challenge
Never afraid to offer your opinion – or ask others theirs
Proud to pull on the Athletics jersey
Available to your team — a good listener
Mature and professional with clients, colleagues, and the internal team
Perceptive – able to ‘read’ and weigh-up complex situations and others’ motivations

Extra Credit:

You enjoy being an active member of the global design community, and seek out opportunities to connect with other like-minded creatives through networking events and speaking engagements.
Be an AWESOME human : )

Benefits & Perks:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance with generous employer contribution
401K plan with guaranteed employer contributions
Time off to recharge, including summer Fridays and company-wide closure between Christmas & New Year’s
Generous parental leave (we are proud members of Pledge Parental Leave)
Free Citibike membership
Fitness benefit via ClassPass
EAP (Employee Assistance Program) for mental health and other services
Life Insurance
Annual professional development stipend of up to $1,000
Annual Innovation Grant Program: $10,000 opportunity for your big ideas
Hybrid remote flexibility, and a relaxed, inclusive studio culture in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Annual studio off-site trip, plus various outings, happy hours, team lunches, group volunteering, and other fun activities

Sound like you? Get in touch at jobs@athleticsnyc.com

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