Visual Direction Lead

About Company:

The Whitaker Group is always looking for talented individuals that are willing to push the boundaries of creativity –– thinkers, strategists, photographers, sales, marketers, and computer savvy designers that are not afraid to challenge the status quo. The culture we cultivate welcomes innovation through creativity and promotes teamwork.

About the Role:

The Visual Direction Lead is responsible for shaping and overseeing the visual identity and creative vision of our projects to ensure a cohesive and compelling aesthetic across all platforms. This role involves collaborating closely with cross-functional teams including design, marketing, product development, and executive leadership to translate strategic goals into innovative visual solutions. The Visual Direction Lead will guide and mentor a team of designers and artists, fostering a creative environment that encourages experimentation and excellence. They will also manage the visual consistency of brand assets, campaigns, and user experiences, ensuring alignment with company values and market trends. Ultimately, this position drives the visual storytelling that enhances brand recognition and user engagement, contributing directly to the company’s growth and market presence.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, Communication Design, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of professional experience in visual design or art direction, with a minimum of 3 years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record of leading creative teams and managing complex visual projects from concept to completion.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in visual storytelling, branding, and digital design.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with diverse teams and stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent advanced training.
• Experience working within fast-paced technology or consumer product companies.
• Proficiency with advanced design and prototyping tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma, or similar.
• Knowledge of motion graphics, video production, or 3D design is a plus.
• Familiarity with user experience (UX) principles and how visual design integrates with product development.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and articulate the overarching visual strategy and creative direction for multiple projects and campaigns.
• Lead, inspire, and manage a team of visual designers and artists to deliver high-quality creative work on schedule.
• Collaborate with product managers, marketers, and other stakeholders to ensure visual concepts align with business objectives and user needs.
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of brand guidelines to ensure visual consistency across all touchpoints.
• Review and approve design deliverables, providing constructive feedback to elevate the quality and impact of visual content.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to continuously innovate and improve visual approaches.
• Coordinate with external vendors and agencies when necessary to maintain brand standards and project timelines.

Skills:

The Visual Direction Lead utilizes strong creative and strategic thinking skills daily to develop compelling visual narratives that resonate with target audiences. Leadership and communication skills are essential for guiding and motivating the design team, as well as for articulating visual concepts clearly to stakeholders. Technical proficiency with design software enables the lead to review and contribute to design work effectively, ensuring high standards are met. Collaboration skills are critical when working cross-functionally to align visual direction with broader business goals and user experience strategies. Additionally, staying informed about industry trends and emerging technologies allows the lead to innovate and maintain a competitive edge in visual design.