*This is a hybrid role based out of our HQ near Portland, OR. In-office expectation is 3 days a week*.

ABOUT THE POSITION

SOREL is seeking an experienced creative leader to build and operate a hybrid internal/external full-service agency. This role requires a broad array of hands-on skills and the ability to push a team towards excellence, both in effectiveness and efficiency. The Creative Director will be responsible for the entire go-to-market storytelling machine, from global brand campaigns to seasonal product marketing initiatives. We’re looking for a capable thought leader who can translate brand strategy into creative content and experiences. The right candidate will bring both experience in working within the cycles of a seasonal brand marketing operation (ideally in footwear, fashion, or a related industry) and expertise in running a client-minded agency.

Reporting directly to the VP Brand, the Creative Director will be responsible for ensuring the look, feel, and tone of the brand across all consumer touchpoints. This role will partner closely with the Director of Product Design to create a cohesive experience in identity and design language and with the Director of Marketing to create innovative strategies and tactics. The Creative Director will coach and guide in-house copywriting, art direction, photography, videography, digital design, experiential design, and graphic production.

The right leader will have a blend of creative vision and business sense, with the strategic judgement to know where to push big, high impact ideas and where to seek nimble, high-efficiency alternatives. Understanding how creativity serves both the brand position and business goals is critical. Similarly, the right leader will balance forward looking exploration with real time pragmatism. They can see the big picture whilst loving the details.

HOW YOU'LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

• Ensure consistent and brand-right creative concepts and executions with an accurate reflection of brand values, purpose, and vision

• Work with internal and external strategic and creative partners to create expressions that generate brand awareness, customer engagement, and ultimate product conversion

• Refine and manage marketing’s creative process from concept to completion

• Translate business and marketing objectives into clear creative strategies

• Effectively Lead and direct the creative team in the production of all marketing collateral

• Ensure visual communication and brand standards are met

• Mentor, lead, and continually develop creative team members to foster a collaborative, creative work environment

• Build, lead, and review work of the creative team in the production of digital and analog marketing collateral

• Spearhead and manage content strategy for both small-scale projects, seasonal campaigns, and long-term brand health, harnessing strategy, digital and brand design, compelling content, and technology

• Develop internal marketing campaigns and activations that translate marketing objectives across business partners into clear and motivating creative strategies

• Lead a cross-functional team of graphic designers, copywriters, social media experts, photographers/videographers, and producers

• Prioritize work and resources across engagements based on short- and long-term needs, establishing production schedules by collaborating with designers, copywriters, and production departments

• Lead ideation sessions with creative team, maintaining strategic and creative thinking to develop innovative and actionable creative initiatives in a fiscally responsible manner

• Review and approve art and copy developed by the team, ensuring deliverables that effectively address marketing goals and challenges

• Produce fresh, innovative work that translates complex and nuanced ideas into compelling print materials and digital experiences for authentic audiences

• Clearly articulate and present creative ideas and concepts for cross-functional, inter-departmental alignment

YOU ARE

• Able to successfully concept for both in-season and future season product development.

• Successful at leading both internal and external teams and providing accurate direction and goals.

• Effective at mentor and manage the creative team’s resources, from finances to team bandwidth and growth.

• Successful at directly interacting and building relationships with external creatives, and building a network of talent and partners

YOU HAVE

• 10 years of related experience with 7+ years of creative direction in agency or brand setting

• Years of experience creating marketing/advertising campaigns from developing vision and the message platform to overseeing production on time and budget

• Understanding and past experience creating integrated content across all marketing channels from digital, social media, paid media, mobile, but also understand offline and print

• Proven experience with concept development

• Highly skilled with leading a team of creative talent, from copywriting, design, and production

• Strong creative vision with an understanding of business objectives

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Knowledge of how to develop brand identities through multi-channel marketing 

• Evidence of participation in ongoing professional development opportunities in the areas of graphic design or social media

• Recent hands-on experience with applying design, copy, and/or web best practices 

• Talent in presenting information concisely and accurately, with keen attention to detail

• Experience in related outdoor or sporting industry is beneficial. A strong connection to and understanding of mountain activities a plus (climbing, skiing, etc.).

• High level of ownership of responsibilities, forward thinker, always working towards elevating brand opportunities.

• Must be self-motivated and able to work independently, as well as part of and leading a team.

• Excellence in Adobe CS (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effect, Premier, etc.), Apple Keynote and MS Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, etc.) with ability to envision a finished product and execute accordingly.

• Must possess strong visual and written communication skills for internal and partner communication.

• Highly organized with the ability to prioritize, focus and problem solve in an entrepreneurial, deadline-driven environment.

• Must be self-motivated and able to work independently, as well as part of and leading a team.

• Excellence in MS Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, etc.) with ability to envision a finished product and execute accordingly.

• Must possess strong visual and written communication skills for internal and partner communication.

• Highly organized with the ability to prioritize, focus and problem solve in an entrepreneurial, deadline-driven environment.

#LI-JC1

#Sorel

#Hybrid

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company. 

Columbia Sportswear is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. The Know Your Rights poster is available here: https://www.eeoc.gov/poster The pay transparency policy is available here: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OFCCP/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf Columbia Sportswear is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please notify your recruiter.

At Columbia Sportswear Company, we’re proud to offer regular full-time employees a benefits package that includes a variety of services and products to help make your life and work more rewarding. Our benefit programs contribute to overall employee well-being by aligning those programs with the fundamental elements of well-being: physical, social/emotional, financial, career and community. Benefits that can protect your family’s financial future and help you save money through our 401k plan plus a generous company match. Columbia offers medical, dental, vision, life Insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and an assortment of voluntary benefit offerings (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services). In addition, Columbia offers EAP + which is free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services. We have extensive wellness benefits, employee discounts and a generous time off program available.

If you need an accommodation/adjustment to successfully complete and submit your application, please reach out to [email protected] with the Subject: Applicant Assistance Requested.