Associate Art Director

Overview

The Associate Art Director plays a pivotal role in leading conceptual development and executing creative deliverables for the Postern Design team. This role is a dynamic blend of high-level strategy, team mentorship, and direct execution. You will help oversee a collaborative team of designers, print specialists, and production assistants, ensuring our visual output is elevated, brand-consistent, and meticulously executed across multiple channels (print, digital, social, video, and animation).

The ideal candidate has strong agency experience, an exceptional multi-platform design portfolio, and the verbal confidence to pitch and justify creative concepts to both internal teams and clients.

Provide a link to your online portfolio when submitting your resume. Candidates without an online portfolio will not be considered.

Hybrid Office:

This position is full-time. Our office is a hybrid workplace at which we work 3 days in the office at our Frederick, Maryland location and 2 days remotely. However, during the first 6 month onboarding phase full-time in the office is required.

Responsibilities

• Proven ability to conceive design solutions for brands across a wide range of industries
• Balance innovative, outside-the-box creative thinking with client business objectives, ensuring a brand's vision comes to life seamlessly across the customer's entire experience
• Lead and participate in client pitches and presentations, confidently articulating the "why" behind the creative. Translate complex marketing strategies into compelling visual narratives and justify design choices directly to stakeholders
• Give clear direction, support, and feedback to senior, intermediate, and junior design team members. Help delegate and guide core creative services disciplines (design, digital design, animation, production)
• Build and maintain strong rapport with clients and vendors. Confidently present, articulate, and justify creative concepts and design directions to external groups
• Conduct peer reviews, maintain exceptionally high standards of quality, and ensure all creative deliverables are error-free before they are released
• Partner closely with the Creative Director, Communications Team and clients to translate strategic briefs into actionable, impactful visual campaigns. Assist in evaluating project scope, timelines, and resource allocation
• Actively participate in creating a space for creativity, ideation, collaboration, fun, and learning. Attend and network at industry, community, and business events to promote the visibility of Postern in the region

Requirements

• 4+ years of relevant graphic design experience strictly within an agency environment, with proven experience mentoring, leading, or directing other designers
• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or equivalent professional work experience
• A diverse portfolio of distinctive and exceptional branding, print, digital, and hybrid campaign work that demonstrates holistic brand thinking and deep attention to detail, including print publications
• Expert knowledge of the latest Mac OS, Adobe Creative Suite (specifically InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and After Effects), Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Business Suite.
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills; an astute listener capable of transforming client feedback and criticism into immediate project improvements
• Strong self-starter with the ability to work independently, manage multiple varied assignments simultaneously, and consistently hit demanding deadlines under budget
• Takes initiative, anticipates creative bottlenecks or design problems, and proactively presents well-researched, thought-out solutions. Commitment to professional growth, visual innovation, and digital trends
• Experience mentoring or leading other graphic designers and production specialists to creative and professional excellence
• Experience with strategic brainstorming, campaign development, creative brief development and creative execution
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously
• Proven aptitude for quick creative thinking with acute attention to detail within demanding deadlines

Benefits

• CareFirst Healthcare, dental and vision plans with employer paying half the monthly premium
• Healthcare Savings Account with an employer contribution match
• Fidelity Retirement Account with Employer Match
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Support

Pay: $78,000.00 - $87,000.00 per year

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Experience

• print design: 4 years (Required)
• brand design: 4 years (Required)
• client presentation: 3 years (Required)
• Adobe Creative Suite: 4 years (Required)
• publication design: 3 years (Required)
• agency: 2 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Frederick, MD 21701 (Required)

Work Location: In person