Dir, Creative (Chicos)

Chico's FAS - Fort Myers, FL

Full-time - Senior

Fort Myers, FL

10,001+ employees

Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Shoe, and Jewelry Retailers

About the position

The Director of Creative at Chico's FAS, Inc. is a pivotal role responsible for developing engaging content that effectively tells the brand and product story, aiming to elicit an emotional response from both current and prospective customers. This position requires a close collaboration with cross-functional partners to ensure that the content produced aligns with the brand's business objectives. The Director will play a crucial role in maintaining the brand's creative integrity across all omni-channel platforms, ensuring that the visual and narrative elements resonate with the target audience. In this role, the Director will manage the entire creative process from concept to completion. This includes working closely with the Creative leader to drive the concepting phase, oversee shoot execution, and manage asset production. The Director will conceptualize and direct photo shoots, which involves pre and post-production activities such as casting, selecting photographers, and choosing locations and talent. Leading a diverse shoot crew, including photographers, videographers, models, and stylists, is a key responsibility, ensuring that all creative outputs meet brand objectives and maintain integrity across all channels. The Director will also be responsible for translating marketing objectives into clear creative strategies, guiding the creative team in producing marketing collateral that aligns with the brand story. Staying updated on current trends in fashion, popular culture, and the competitive landscape is essential for this role. The Director will edit images and lead retouching efforts in collaboration with cross-functional leaders, utilizing customer data to inform creative decisions. Additionally, the Director will partner with project managers to establish and maintain product life cycle deliverables and deadlines, ensuring that the brand's individuality and standards are upheld in all marketing channels. This position values the diverse talents of the team and emphasizes effective communication, guidance, and empowerment to foster a high-performing creative environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage the creative process from concept to completion.
• Work closely with the Creative leader to drive concepting, shoot execution, and asset management.
• Conceptualize plans and direct photo shoots, including pre and post-production activities.
• Lead and direct a shoot crew consisting of photographers, videographers, models, and stylists.
• Develop and execute photography and video assets that meet brand objectives and maintain brand integrity.
• Translate marketing objectives into clear creative strategies.
• Lead the creative team in the production of marketing collateral for all channels.
• Ensure copy and art are aligned to deliver the brand story.
• Stay updated on current trends, fashion, popular culture, and the competitive landscape.
• Edit images and lead image retouching in partnership with cross-functional leaders.
• Use customer data to inform creative decisions in partnership with customer analytics and marketing.
• Partner with project managers to establish and maintain product life cycle deliverables and deadlines.
• Ensure brand individuality and standards in all marketing channels.
• Communicate expectations, provide guidance, deliver feedback, and empower the creative team.

Requirements

• BA/BS degree required; preferably in Fine Arts, Graphic Arts, or a related field.
• 8+ years of Art Direction/Creative Direction experience.
• Experience in fashion and style is essential.
• Vertical retail and omni-channel experience is a plus.
• Intimate understanding of fashion, graphic design, copy, and web best practices/guidelines.
• Experience in directing still and video shoots both in studio and on location.
• Excellent eye for retail/fashion color management.
• Proficiency in MAC and Adobe Suites.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to multi-task effectively.
• Experience managing a creative team.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complicated problems quickly.