Senior Manager, Creative

Full-time - Senior

Kalamazoo, MI

10,001+ employees

Miscellaneous Manufacturing

About the position

The Senior Manager, Creative at Newell Brands is a pivotal role responsible for managing the creative strategy and execution for one or more brands and/or product groupings. This position encompasses the entire project lifecycle, from initiation through to asset delivery, ensuring that all creative outputs align with the brand's guidelines and marketing objectives. The Senior Manager will lead a team of designers, production specialists, and project managers, focusing on attracting, developing, and retaining top creative talent, whether internal or external. Collaboration is key in this role, as the Senior Manager will work closely with marketing and industrial design teams to establish a creative center of excellence within the organization. In this role, the Senior Manager will be tasked with understanding the brand strategy and marketing projects, setting the overall tone and strategy for all creative initiatives. They will support the Director, Creative in developing a cohesive brand visual identity and ensure its consistent application across all consumer touchpoints. The Senior Manager will lead the creation of the brand style guide, which includes elements such as logo design, product branding, typography, packaging, and multimedia content. They will also facilitate brainstorming sessions to foster creativity and collaboration among team members, ensuring that the best ideas are brought to fruition. The Senior Manager will present creative directions and recommendations to marketing teams, ensuring that all creative outputs meet the highest quality standards. They will oversee the production of various marketing materials, including brand identity, packaging, advertising, and digital content. Additionally, the Senior Manager will maintain strong relationships with cross-functional partners, evaluate creative briefs, and ensure that project timelines and accuracy are upheld. This role also involves overseeing the creative direction of external partners, such as agencies and photographers, to deliver exceptional digital and physical assets. The Senior Manager will engage with subject matter experts to implement best practices and content governance workflows across the enterprise, ensuring that all creative efforts align with the company's strategic objectives.

Responsibilities

• Manage the creative strategy and execution for one or more brands and/or product groupings.
• Lead the creative development and execution of brand guidelines and marketing materials.
• Oversee visual asset management and quality control.
• Coordinate projects and manage a team of designers, production specialists, and project managers.
• Collaborate with brand and channel teams to understand brand strategy and marketing projects.
• Support the Director, Creative in developing an effective brand visual identity.
• Guide the Creative and Copy teams in translating brand visual identity into creative solutions.
• Lead the development of the brand style guide, including logo, product branding, typography, and packaging.
• Facilitate brainstorming sessions to generate creative ideas and foster collaboration.
• Present creative directions and recommendations to marketing teams, ensuring quality of all creative outputs.
• Oversee the production of various marketing materials, including print/web advertising and social media content.
• Maintain relationships with cross-functional partners and evaluate creative briefs.
• Partner with the Manager, Design Operations to maintain project timing and accuracy.
• Engage in RFP and agency selection processes with the Director, Creative.
• Oversee creative direction of designers and agency partners to deliver high-quality assets.
• Ensure proper use of messaging frameworks and call-to-action strategies for marketing vehicles.
• Implement content governance workflows globally across the enterprise.

Requirements

• University degree or college diploma in graphic design, art, or related field; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in a creative/graphic design position.
• 3-5+ years of experience managing creative teams.
• 3+ years of experience leading the development and execution of multi-channel content.
• Strong decision-making skills and understanding of project alignment with company strategies.
• Proven experience in creative leadership and managing teams at varying levels.
• Ability to demonstrate passion for a brand and inspire others.
• Experience in directing creative projects on a broad scale.
• Deep understanding of design components and best practices.
• Mastery in design architecture deployment and experience design development.
• Strong time management skills and flexibility within tight deadlines.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and visual communication skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Video editing/motion graphics experience.
• Commercial photo studio experience.
• Knowledge of coding (HTML/CSS) and best practices in mobile-first web development.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• 401k retirement savings plan
• Paid holidays
• Flexible scheduling options
• Professional development opportunities