Head of Design
📍 Job Overview
Job Title: Head of Design
Company: McCANN
Location: Tel Aviv-Yafo, Tel Aviv District, Israel
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Design Leadership / Creative Operations
Date Posted: April 14, 2026
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Role Summary
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Lead and manage a large team of over 25 designers within Israel's largest B2C studio, ensuring high-quality output for major brands.
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Drive technological innovation and implement modern workflows, including AI-driven tools, to enhance process efficiency and effectiveness.
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Oversee quality control for all design outputs, from digital and print to social media and branding initiatives.
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Provide professional mentorship, coaching, and leadership development for the design team.
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Foster a culture of continuous improvement, challenging existing methodologies and exploring new creative and technological avenues.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while titled "Head of Design," has significant operational components, focusing on process optimization, team management, and the integration of new technologies. It bridges creative leadership with operational efficiency, a key characteristic of GTM and RevOps roles, albeit in a creative context.
📈 Primary Responsibilities
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Quality Assurance & Standards: Implement and enforce rigorous quality control processes for all design deliverables, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines and strategic objectives across digital, print, social, and branding projects.
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Team Leadership & Development: Provide daily professional guidance, mentorship, and coaching to a team of 25+ designers, fostering their growth, skill development, and overall team performance.
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Process Innovation & Optimization: Proactively identify and challenge existing creative workflows, exploring and integrating new technologies, including AI tools, to streamline processes and elevate efficiency and output quality.
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Cross-Functional Collaboration: Liaise with various departments to understand project requirements, ensure design alignment with marketing and advertising strategies, and facilitate seamless execution of creative campaigns.
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Strategic Vision & Implementation: Develop and articulate a vision for the studio's technological advancement and operational excellence, translating strategic goals into actionable plans for the design team.
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Portfolio Management: Oversee the curation and presentation of the studio's work, ensuring it reflects the highest standards of craft and strategic impact for key clients and brands.
📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "challenging existing work methods" and "examining how new technologies, including AI-based tools, can make traditional processes more efficient and smarter" strongly indicates a need for process optimization and workflow automation skills. This aligns closely with the core competencies of operations roles.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: A Bachelor's degree in Visual Communication from a recognized academic institution.
Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Lead/Senior Designer, Art Director, or professional Studio Manager within an advertising agency, branding studio, or digital agency.
Required Skills:
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Design Leadership: Proven experience in leading and managing creative teams, with a strong track record of professional mentorship and development.
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Quality Control: Demonstrated ability to manage and maintain high-quality standards across diverse design outputs (digital, print, social, branding).
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Figma Proficiency: Absolute mastery of Figma for design collaboration and workflow management.
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Adobe Creative Suite Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge and practical application of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and other relevant Adobe tools.
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Portfolio Excellence: A compelling portfolio showcasing extensive experience, impeccable craft, deep understanding of design processes, and successful project outcomes.
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Technological Acumen: Keen interest and practical experience with generative AI tools and the ability to conceptualize their integration into daily studio workflows.
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Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide constructive feedback and build strong working relationships.
Preferred Skills:
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Weavy Familiarity: Prior experience or familiarity with Weavy, a collaborative design platform.
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Workflow Automation: Experience in designing and implementing automated workflows for creative processes.
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Agile Methodologies: Understanding or experience with agile principles in a creative production environment.
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Project Management: Strong project management capabilities to oversee multiple concurrent design initiatives.
📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "absolute mastery of Figma" and "familiarity with Weavy" points to specific tool proficiencies crucial for operational efficiency in a design studio. The emphasis on generative AI integration also highlights a forward-thinking operational approach.
📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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Demonstrated Craft & Process: A portfolio that clearly articulates the design process from concept to execution, highlighting problem-solving approaches and strategic decision-making.
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Quality & Consistency: Showcase a range of projects that exemplify high-quality output across digital, print, and branding initiatives, demonstrating consistency in execution and adherence to standards.
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Team Leadership Examples: If possible, include examples or descriptions of how you've led teams, mentored junior designers, or managed quality control within previous roles.
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Technological Integration: Highlight any projects where you've explored or implemented new technologies, particularly AI, to improve design workflows or outcomes.
Process Documentation:
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Workflow Design: Ability to document and visualize current design workflows, identifying bottlenecks and areas for improvement.
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Implementation Strategy: Develop plans for implementing new processes or technologies, including training and adoption strategies for the team.
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Performance Metrics: Define key metrics for tracking design quality, team productivity, and the impact of new technologies on studio operations.
📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as "operational" requirements, the demand for a portfolio that proves "rich experience, uncompromising craft, and deep understanding of design processes" and the emphasis on leveraging "new technologies, including AI-based tools," imply a need to demonstrate a structured, process-oriented approach to design management and innovation.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Head of Design role in Tel Aviv, with 5-10 years of experience, managing a team of 25+, the estimated annual salary range is between ₪250,000 - ₪400,000 (approximately $67,000 - $108,000 USD). This range accounts for the significant leadership, operational, and creative responsibilities.
Benefits:
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Comprehensive Health Insurance: Coverage for medical, dental, and vision.
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Professional Development Fund: Allocation for training, conferences, and workshops to support continuous learning in design and technology.
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Generous Paid Time Off: Including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.
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Retirement Savings Plan: Contribution to a pension or provident fund.
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Team Events & Social Activities: Opportunities for team building and social engagement.
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Access to Cutting-Edge Technology: Opportunity to work with and integrate the latest design and AI tools.
Working Hours: Full-time position, with an estimated 40-hour work week. While on-site, there may be flexibility for occasional remote work or adjusted hours based on project needs and team management, though the primary expectation is on-site presence.
📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on typical compensation for senior design leadership roles in major Israeli cities, considering the scale of the team and the responsibility for innovation. Benefits are standard for senior positions in established agencies.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Advertising & Marketing Communications. McCANN is a global leader in advertising and marketing, known for creating impactful campaigns for major brands.
Company Size: Large, with a significant presence in Israel. The studio itself comprises over 25 designers.
Founded: McCANN Worldgroup was founded in 1930, indicating a long-standing heritage of creative excellence and industry leadership.
Team Structure:
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Studio Excellence: Operates as the "beating heart of the office," with a large, dedicated team of over 25 designers focused on B2C marketing and advertising outputs.
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Hierarchical Leadership: The Head of Design will lead this large team, implying a direct reporting structure for designers and potentially sub-team leads.
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Cross-Functional Integration: Designs directly serve major brands and impact millions of consumers, requiring close collaboration with account management, strategy, client services, and other agency departments.
Methodology:
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High-Impact Output: Focus on creating marketing and advertising materials that reach and resonate with millions of people daily.
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Process-Oriented Innovation: Emphasis on structured, organized environments that encourage challenging existing methods and integrating new technologies for efficiency.
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Quality-Driven Production: Commitment to high-quality craft and effective communication across all media (digital, print, social, branding).
Company Website: www.mccann.co.il
📝 Enhancement Note: The description highlights a dynamic, high-volume creative environment with a strong emphasis on both the quality of creative output and the operational efficiency required to achieve it. This suggests a culture that values innovation and strong management.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position, functioning as a Head of Department. It requires a blend of deep creative expertise, strategic vision, and robust operational management skills. The role is crucial for scaling creative output and driving technological adoption within a large team.
Reporting Structure: The Head of Design will report to senior agency leadership (e.g., Chief Creative Officer, Managing Director) and will directly manage a team of over 25 designers.
Operations Impact: The Head of Design's impact is measured by the quality and efficiency of creative production, the successful adoption of new technologies, and the overall effectiveness of the studio's output in achieving client marketing and advertising objectives. This role directly influences brand perception and consumer engagement.
Growth Opportunities:
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Strategic Leadership Expansion: Potential to influence broader agency operations and technology adoption strategies.
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Specialization in Creative Operations: Deepen expertise in managing large creative teams, optimizing workflows, and integrating AI/new technologies into creative processes.
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Mentorship & Talent Development: Build a reputation for nurturing and growing top design talent, contributing to the agency's talent pipeline.
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Industry Influence: Represent the agency at industry events, contributing to discussions on the future of design and technology in advertising.
📝 Enhancement Note: The role's focus on "process optimization," "challenging existing methods," and "examining new technologies" positions it as a significant growth opportunity for individuals looking to merge creative leadership with operational excellence, a pathway increasingly valued in GTM and RevOps contexts.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: The role is on-site within a large, established advertising agency, suggesting a dynamic and collaborative office environment.
Office Location(s): Tel Aviv-Yafo, a major cultural and business hub in Israel.
Workspace Context:
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Collaborative Studio: A large, bustling studio environment with over 25 designers working together, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.
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Technology-Rich: Access to industry-standard design software and the mandate to explore and integrate new technologies, including AI tools.
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High-Energy Atmosphere: Typical of a leading advertising agency, expect a fast-paced, creative, and client-focused atmosphere.
Work Schedule: Primarily on-site, full-time. While core hours are expected, flexibility may be afforded to manage team needs and operational efficiency, but the emphasis is on being present to lead and guide the team directly.
📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is critical for a role involving direct team management and quality control of a large creative output, ensuring immediate feedback and collaboration.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess experience, qualifications, and alignment with the role's requirements.
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Portfolio Presentation & Case Study: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing key projects, their role, process, and outcomes. Expect questions on how they managed quality and team dynamics.
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Leadership & Operations Focus: Interviews will delve into leadership style, team management experience, and approach to process innovation, workflow optimization, and technology integration (especially AI).
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Team Fit & Culture Interview: Assessment of cultural alignment with McCANN's values and the studio's collaborative environment.
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Final Round: Discussion with senior leadership to finalize the decision.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Showcase Process & Impact: Clearly articulate the "why" and "how" behind your designs. Detail your role in quality control and team leadership.
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Highlight Innovation: Include examples where you've introduced new tools or processes to improve efficiency or output quality. Specifically address your experience or vision for using AI in design.
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Demonstrate Leadership: Use case studies to illustrate your ability to mentor, guide, and drive performance within a design team.
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Quantify Achievements: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work on client objectives or studio efficiency.
Challenge Preparation:
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Workflow Optimization Exercise: Be prepared for a scenario-based question or a short exercise asking you to identify inefficiencies in a hypothetical design workflow and propose solutions, potentially involving AI tools.
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Leadership Scenario: Discuss how you would handle a challenging team member or a conflict within the design team.
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Technology Integration Strategy: Be ready to discuss your strategic approach to assessing and implementing new technologies like AI within a creative studio.
📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "challenging existing methods" and "examining how new technologies, including AI-based tools, can make traditional processes more efficient and smarter" means interviewers will be looking for proactive problem-solvers and strategic thinkers, not just talented designers.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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Figma: Essential for collaborative design, prototyping, and workflow management. Mastery is a core requirement.
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Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign are fundamental for most design tasks. Expertise is expected.
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Weavy: Preferred familiarity, indicating a potential for advanced collaborative workflows.
Analytics & Reporting:
CRM & Automation:
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Workflow Automation Tools: Understanding of how to leverage automation for tasks like asset management, version control, or repetitive design elements will be key for driving efficiency.
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Project Management Software: Experience with tools like Asana, Trello, Jira, or similar platforms for managing project pipelines and team tasks.
📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and Adobe, along with the preferred familiarity with Weavy, highlights the critical tools for this role. The mention of AI tools suggests a forward-looking approach to the technology stack, requiring an understanding of how to integrate and manage these new capabilities operationally.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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Quality & Craftsmanship: A deep commitment to producing high-quality, impactful design work that meets client objectives and resonates with audiences.
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Innovation & Efficiency: A drive to explore new technologies and methodologies, continuously optimizing processes to deliver work more effectively and intelligently.
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Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a supportive environment where designers can share knowledge, provide feedback, and work together towards common goals.
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Data-Informed Creativity: Using insights from campaign performance and consumer behavior to inform design strategies and demonstrate the impact of creative work.
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Professional Growth: Valuing continuous learning and development for all team members, encouraging skill enhancement and career progression.
Collaboration Style:
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Open Communication: Encouraging transparent dialogue, constructive feedback, and knowledge sharing among team members and with other departments.
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Cross-Functional Partnership: Working closely with account management, strategy, and client teams to ensure design is strategically aligned and effectively executed.
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Feedback-Centric Environment: Cultivating a culture where feedback is seen as an opportunity for growth and improvement, both for individuals and processes.
📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "organized and structured environment," "challenging existing work methods," and "making traditional processes more efficient and smarter" points to a culture that values operational rigor alongside creative output.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Managing a Large Team: Effectively leading, motivating, and developing a diverse team of over 25 designers with varying skill sets and experience levels.
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Balancing Creativity and Efficiency: Ensuring high creative standards are maintained while driving significant improvements in process speed and operational efficiency.
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Integrating New Technologies: Successfully introducing and embedding AI and other new tools into established design workflows without disrupting productivity or compromising quality.
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Staying Ahead of Trends: Keeping the studio at the forefront of design trends and technological advancements in a rapidly evolving industry.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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Advanced Design Leadership Training: Opportunities to refine leadership, strategic planning, and team management skills.
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AI & Technology Workshops: Access to training and resources on emerging technologies relevant to creative production and operations.
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Industry Conferences: Participation in leading design and advertising conferences to gain insights and network.
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Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and potentially be mentored by senior agency leaders.
📝 Enhancement Note: The challenge of integrating AI tools into existing workflows, while a significant hurdle, also represents a prime growth opportunity for demonstrating operational foresight and technical leadership.
💡 Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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"Describe a time you significantly improved the efficiency or output quality of a design team. What was your process, and what technologies did you leverage?" (Focus on process optimization, quality control, and technology integration).
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"How would you approach integrating generative AI tools into our studio's workflow? What are the potential benefits and challenges, and how would you manage the transition?" (Assess strategic thinking on technology adoption and operational impact).
Company & Culture Questions:
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"What attracts you to McCANN and this specific role, beyond the creative opportunities?" (Understand your motivation and research into the company's operational approach).
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"How do you foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within a creative team?" (Assess your approach to driving change and adopting new methods).
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio to tell a story around key projects. For each project, clearly define the objective, your role, the process you followed (especially any workflow improvements or technology used), and the measurable outcome.
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Highlight Operational Contributions: Emphasize any initiatives you led related to quality control, team management, process optimization, or technology adoption.
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Showcase AI Vision: If you have direct experience with AI tools, showcase it. If not, articulate a clear vision for how you would explore and implement them.
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Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your technical skills (Figma, Adobe) and your leadership approach.
📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on innovation and operational efficiency, interviewers will be looking for candidates who can articulate not just creative vision but also strategic operational plans for scaling and modernizing a large design studio.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this Head of Design position:
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Submit your application through the provided link on Comeet.
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Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in team leadership, quality control, and process optimization. Ensure keywords like "Figma," "Adobe Creative Suite," "AI tools," "workflow optimization," and "team management" are prominent.
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Curate Your Portfolio: Select projects that best demonstrate your craft, process, leadership, and innovative thinking. Prepare a concise narrative for each, focusing on impact and operational contributions.
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Prepare for Operational Questions: Research McCANN's approach to technology and creativity. Be ready to discuss your strategies for managing a large team, implementing new tools (especially AI), and driving efficiency.
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Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough, focusing on clear communication, strategic insights, and demonstrating your leadership potential.
⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.
Application Requirements
Candidates must have at least 5 years of experience as a Lead/Senior Designer, Art Director, or Studio Manager in an agency setting. A degree in Visual Communication and mastery of Figma and Adobe software are required, along with a strong portfolio and experience with generative AI tools.