Sr. Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Graphic Designer

Company: Direct Agents

Location: New York, NY

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-24

Experience Level: 6+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the visual and creative direction for a portfolio of client accounts and internal brand initiatives, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.

• Conceptualize, direct, and execute high-level design work across digital, print, motion, and spatial mediums to drive measurable results for ambitious brands.

• Manage end-to-end creative production processes, from brief development and concepting to final asset delivery, while maintaining project goals and timelines.

• Bridge the gap between creative execution and paid media performance by understanding metrics, platform best practices, and adapting designs for optimal engagement.

• Actively leverage AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT, Midjourney) to enhance creative workflows, from ideation and concepting to production efficiency and content scaling.

📝 Enhancement Note: The original job title was "Sr. Graphic Designer," but the description clearly outlines responsibilities of a "Senior Art Director." This enhancement reflects the advanced strategic and leadership aspects of the role. The emphasis on AI tools suggests a forward-thinking agency embracing new technologies for creative output and efficiency.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead creative conception and campaign strategy development for new business pitches and existing client accounts, ensuring innovative and impactful visual solutions.

• Execute high-quality design work across diverse mediums including digital assets, social media content, print collateral, motion graphics, and spatial design elements.

• Develop and maintain cohesive visual systems that hold large-scale content campaigns together, ensuring brand consistency and aesthetic integrity.

• Translate creative briefs into tangible concepts, progressing from mood boards and wireframes to polished final executions, and present these visions effectively.

• Stay abreast of emerging design trends, platform-specific formats, and cultural moments to infuse fresh perspectives and innovative ideas into all projects.

• Manage the entire creative production lifecycle, from initial brief and concepting through to revision cycles and final client delivery, ensuring all deliverables are met on time and within scope.

• Conduct thorough Quality Assurance (QA) reviews to confirm that all creative assets adhere to technical specifications, platform requirements, and established brand standards.

• Utilize project management tools like ClickUp to maintain clear tracking of project progress, proactively identify potential risks, and mitigate impacts on delivery schedules.

• Collaborate closely with paid media, account management, strategy, and development teams to ensure seamless integration of creative assets with overall campaign goals and performance objectives.

• Review monthly client creative performance data against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), synthesizing findings into actionable insights and client-ready presentation decks.

• Develop and present monthly design trend reports to identify key opportunities for Direct Agents' clients and inform future creative strategies.

• Represent the creative team as a senior voice during client pitches and presentations, articulating the strategic thinking and creative rationale behind the work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities have been detailed to highlight the strategic leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and performance-driven nature of the role, which are critical for a Senior Art Director position. The emphasis on AI tools and performance marketing integration has been expanded to reflect the company's unique positioning.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Advertising, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: Minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in art direction, creative direction, or integrated campaign design, with a strong preference for agency-side experience.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to lead creative conception and campaign strategy for diverse client projects and new business opportunities.

• Expertise in executing high-level design work across digital, social media, print, motion graphics, and spatial design.

• Strong portfolio showcasing concept-driven creative work across digital, social, paid media, and integrated brand campaigns.

• Deep proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, After Effects).

• Demonstrated experience in presenting and effectively selling creative ideas to both internal stakeholders and external clients.

• Solid understanding of paid media ecosystems, including how creative assets impact performance metrics and platform best practices.

• Experience managing or mentoring junior designers and directing freelance creative talent.

• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to simultaneously manage multiple complex workstreams.

• Hands-on experience actively using AI tools (e.g., Claude, ChatGPT, Midjourney) for creative workflows, including ideation, concepting, and production efficiency.

• Familiarity with project management software such as ClickUp, Asana, or similar platforms.

• Proficiency with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides). Preferred Skills:

• Figma proficiency for collaborative design and prototyping.

• Experience with media mix modeling and understanding of data analytics to inform creative decisions.

• Knowledge of emerging digital platforms and creative formats.

• Experience in directing photography or video shoots.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required experience level has been explicitly stated as 6+ years based on the job description. The skills section has been expanded to include specific software and AI tool requirements, alongside soft skills crucial for a senior creative role. The distinction between required and preferred skills is based on common industry expectations for such positions.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio demonstrating a strong conceptual foundation and the ability to execute compelling creative across multiple platforms, with a focus on integrated campaigns.

• Showcase examples of creative strategy development, including how business objectives were translated into visual solutions.

• Include case studies that highlight your role in leading creative production from brief to final delivery, detailing the process and challenges overcome.

• Demonstrate experience in adapting creative for paid media performance, with examples of how design decisions influenced engagement metrics.

• Provide examples of your work with AI tools, illustrating how they were integrated into the creative workflow for ideation, efficiency, or content generation. Process Documentation:

• Detailed case studies explaining the end-to-end creative production process for key projects, including brief interpretation, concept development, execution, revisions, and final delivery.

• Documentation of how you manage and track projects using tools like ClickUp, demonstrating proactive risk management and timeline adherence.

• Examples of client-facing presentations, particularly those showcasing creative concepts, strategy, and performance insights derived from creative work.

• Evidence of your approach to QA review, outlining how you ensure assets meet technical specifications, platform best practices, and brand standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section emphasizes the critical need for a portfolio that not only displays visual talent but also demonstrates strategic thinking, process management, AI integration, and the ability to connect creative work to business outcomes, which are key for a Senior Art Director role in a performance-driven agency.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $35 - $45 per hour.

Benefits:

• Regular performance reviews with quarterly growth path check-ins.

• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and mental health benefits, including access to One Medical, Talkspace, KindBody, and Health Advocate services.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) ranging from 15-24 days per year, depending on seniority.

• Additional paid time off for your birthday, 7 sick/safe days, and up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave.

• Provision of a new MacBook Pro and access to cutting-edge AI tools across the agency.

• Access to a prime office location, the "Acceleration Hub," a sun-drenched penthouse on 5th Avenue in Flatiron.

• Commuter benefits and a Citibike membership to facilitate easy access to the office.

• A dog-friendly office environment fostering a positive and inclusive atmosphere.

• Regular team events, including Field Day, Ski Club, Golf League, and holiday celebrations, promoting team cohesion and a strong company culture.

Working Hours: Monday - Thursday, 10:00 am - 6:30 pm (30 hours per week). This is a contract role with a defined weekly schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range and weekly working hours are explicitly stated. The benefits have been compiled and detailed from the provided text, highlighting the comprehensive package offered, including unique perks like AI tool access and a dog-friendly office, which are attractive to creative professionals. The "4-day workweek" mentioned in the company culture section is clarified by the specific working hours provided for this role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing & Advertising, Technology, AI Services.

Company Size: 100+ employees.

Founded: Not specified, but their backing by Kanopy AI and established client roster suggest a mature and innovative organization.

Team Structure:

• The creative team is part of a larger group of 100+ "builders and operators" including growth strategists and media architects.

• There is a focus on an "elite, not bloated" team with direct access to senior leadership and executives, implying a flat hierarchy and agile decision-making.

• Collaboration is expected across departments, including paid media, account management, strategy, and development teams.

• The role involves managing or mentoring junior designers and directing freelancers, indicating a leadership component within the creative function. Methodology:

• AI-Driven Operations: The company heavily emphasizes its proprietary AI platform, Kanopy AI, which is integrated into operations for real-time campaign optimization, media mix modeling, and data analysis.

• Human Expertise: AI is combined with human expertise, positioning the company at the intersection of technology and strategy to deliver measurable revenue growth.

• Performance-Focused Creative: Creative work is directly linked to paid media performance, with an understanding of metrics and platform best practices informing design decisions.

• Agile Project Management: Utilization of tools like ClickUp suggests an agile approach to project management, focusing on efficiency and proactive risk mitigation.

• Continuous Improvement: Regular performance reviews, growth path check-ins, and a focus on design trend reports indicate a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Company Website: https://www.directagents.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by a blend of cutting-edge AI technology and strategic human expertise. The emphasis on being "builders and operators" suggests a results-oriented, proactive, and innovative environment. The "elite team" structure implies a high-performance culture where individual contributions are valued and recognized. The integration of AI across all functions, including creative, is a significant differentiator.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Art Director, indicating a mid-to-senior level position within the creative function. It involves significant responsibility for creative strategy, execution, and team leadership, bridging the gap between creative craft and business objectives.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, the role likely reports to a Creative Director or Head of Creative. The description mentions direct access to senior leadership and executives, suggesting an environment where senior team members have visibility and influence.

Operations Impact: The Senior Art Director is expected to have a direct impact on revenue growth by developing compelling creative campaigns that drive client success and by contributing to new business pitches. The role's focus on performance-informed creative underscores its contribution to measurable business outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: The opportunity to manage and mentor junior designers and direct freelancers provides a pathway to further leadership roles within the creative department.

• Strategic Influence: Direct access to senior leadership and involvement in new business pitches offer opportunities to influence company strategy and client relationships.

• Skill Advancement: Continuous learning is encouraged through exposure to cutting-edge AI tools, new design trends, and performance marketing insights, enabling skill diversification and specialization.

• Career Progression: The company highlights regular performance reviews and quarterly growth path check-ins, indicating a structured approach to career development and potential for advancement. The mention of a "12-month average time to promotion" in their culture section suggests a dynamic environment for career progression.

📝 Enhancement Note: The analysis focuses on how this Senior Art Director role fits within the broader operations of a marketing agency, emphasizing its contribution to revenue and client success. Growth opportunities are framed within the context of leadership, strategic impact, and continuous skill development, aligning with the company's innovative and performance-driven culture.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: In-office, hybrid potential not specified but implied to be primarily on-site given the "in-office role based in our NYC headquarters" statement.

Office Location(s): New York City headquarters, specifically located in the Flatiron district on 5th Avenue, described as a "sun-drenched penthouse Acceleration Hub."

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The "Acceleration Hub" suggests a dynamic and modern workspace designed for collaboration and innovation, with a focus on providing an inspiring environment for creative professionals.

• Technology-Forward: Access to a new MacBook Pro and cutting-edge AI tools directly within the workspace ensures team members have the resources needed to excel.

• Team Interaction: The dog-friendly office and regular team events foster a positive, social, and inclusive atmosphere, encouraging interaction and camaraderie among team members.

Work Schedule: The role requires working Monday - Thursday, 10:00 am - 6:30 pm. This amounts to 30 hours per week. While this is a defined schedule, the company's culture mentions a "4-day workweek," which aligns with this structure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description paints a picture of a premium, modern, and collaborative workspace in a prime NYC location. The emphasis on the "Acceleration Hub" and the amenities provided suggests an environment that values employee well-being and productivity. The work schedule is clearly defined, aligning with the company's stated interest in work-life balance through a compressed workweek.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the required experience and skills.

• Portfolio Presentation: A key stage will involve presenting your portfolio, showcasing your best work, conceptual thinking, and ability to articulate creative strategy and execution. Be prepared to discuss your process, the challenges you faced, and the impact of your work.

• Creative/Strategic Discussion: Expect to discuss your approach to creative direction, campaign development, and how you integrate paid media performance into your design decisions. Questions about your experience with AI tools and how you apply them will be crucial.

• Team/Cultural Fit: Interviews will likely assess your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, mentor junior designers, and fit within the agency's innovative and fast-paced culture.

• Client Pitch Simulation: You may be asked to present a creative concept or respond to a hypothetical brief, simulating the client pitch process.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your strengths in art direction, concept development, integrated campaigns, and performance-informed creative.

• Showcase Process: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your strategic approach, the creative process, challenges encountered, and the measurable results or impact.

• Highlight AI Integration: Include examples where you've effectively used AI tools to enhance your creative output, explaining the specific benefits and outcomes.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your creative work, especially in relation to paid media performance.

• Presentation Readiness: Practice presenting your portfolio concisely and engagingly. Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your design choices and strategic rationale.

Challenge Preparation:

• Creative Brief Response: Prepare to respond to a hypothetical creative brief within a limited timeframe, demonstrating your ability to quickly grasp objectives and generate creative concepts.

• AI Tool Application: Be ready to discuss how you would leverage AI tools to solve a specific creative challenge or improve a workflow.

• Performance-Based Creative: Prepare to discuss how you would design creative assets optimized for specific paid media platforms and KPIs.

• Strategic Articulation: Practice articulating your creative vision and strategic thinking clearly and persuasively, as you will be presenting to internal teams and potentially clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process is tailored for a creative role, emphasizing the portfolio as a central component. The advice focuses on demonstrating strategic thinking, process management, AI integration, and measurable impact, which are crucial for success in this agency environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and After Effects for comprehensive design and production capabilities.

• Figma: A preferred tool for collaborative design, prototyping, and UI/UX workflows.

• AI Tools: Active and hands-on experience with AI tools such as Claude, ChatGPT, and Midjourney is a core requirement for concepting, ideation, and production efficiency.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Performance Metrics: Understanding and application of client creative performance against KPIs.

• Trend Analysis: Ability to develop and present design trend reports.

• Data Synthesis: Capacity to review monthly client creative performance and synthesize findings into actionable insights.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with ClickUp (or equivalent like Asana) for project tracking, workflow management, and risk flagging.

• Collaboration Suite: Proficiency with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) for document creation, collaboration, and presentations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section highlights the specific technical skills and tools required, with a strong emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite and the novel requirement of active AI tool integration in creative workflows. Project management and collaboration tools are also key components of the technology stack.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & AI Integration: A core value is the proactive adoption and integration of AI technologies (Kanopy AI, Claude, ChatGPT, Midjourney) to drive efficiency and competitive advantage.

• Performance & Results: The agency is built on driving "measurable revenue growth," indicating a strong focus on performance, ROI, and achieving tangible business outcomes for clients.

• Collaboration & Ownership: Team members are described as "builders and operators" who take ownership and work collaboratively across departments to achieve shared goals.

• Excellence & Craft: A commitment to high-quality creative execution and strategic thinking, as evidenced by the demand for a strong portfolio and senior-level experience.

• Agility & Speed: Operating in a "fast-paced environment" and having an "elite, not bloated" team suggests a culture that values quick decision-making and efficient execution.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close collaboration with paid media, account strategy, and development teams is essential to ensure creative aligns with campaign objectives and performance goals.

• Mentorship & Team Building: The role includes managing and mentoring junior designers, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and skill development within the creative team.

• Direct Communication: The emphasis on direct access to senior leadership and executives suggests an open communication environment where ideas can be shared freely across all levels.

• Client-Facing Partnership: A collaborative approach is needed when presenting creative work and strategy to clients, building trust and partnership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture and values are deeply intertwined with the company's unique positioning as an AI-driven agency focused on revenue growth. The emphasis on ownership, collaboration, and continuous innovation, particularly with AI, shapes the expected behaviors and working style of team members.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Pace and Volume: Managing multiple client accounts simultaneously in a fast-paced agency environment requires exceptional time management and prioritization skills.

• Balancing Creativity and Performance: The primary challenge will be to consistently produce innovative, high-quality creative work that also meets stringent paid media performance KPIs.

• AI Integration Mastery: Staying ahead of the curve and effectively integrating new AI tools into established creative workflows while maintaining creative integrity and originality.

• Client Expectation Management: Navigating client feedback, managing revision cycles, and ensuring creative vision aligns with diverse client objectives and brand guidelines.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring seamless communication and collaboration with diverse teams (media, strategy, development) to execute integrated campaigns effectively.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Tool Specialization: Deepen expertise in leveraging advanced AI tools for creative ideation, content generation, and workflow optimization, potentially becoming a subject matter expert.

• Performance Marketing Integration: Gain a more profound understanding of paid media analytics and how to directly translate data insights into creative strategies that drive measurable results.

• Creative Leadership: Develop leadership skills through mentoring junior designers and directing freelance talent, preparing for future senior or directorial roles.

• Strategic Account Management: Contribute to new business pitches and client strategy sessions, enhancing strategic thinking and client-facing communication skills.

• Industry Trend Adaptation: Continuously learn about emerging design trends, platform innovations, and shifts in consumer behavior to keep creative offerings fresh and relevant.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section outlines potential challenges inherent in a senior creative role within a dynamic agency, alongside specific growth opportunities that leverage the company's unique focus on AI and performance marketing.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a campaign where you successfully integrated AI tools into the creative process. What were the benefits and challenges?" (Focus on specific tools, workflow changes, and outcomes.)

• "How do you balance creative vision with the need to meet specific paid media KPIs? Walk us through an example." (Be ready to discuss metrics, A/B testing, and platform optimization.)

• "Imagine you're given a brief for a new client pitch. What are your first steps in developing the creative strategy and visual direction?" (Demonstrate your conceptualization process and strategic thinking.)

• "How would you approach managing multiple creative projects with competing deadlines and client demands?" (Highlight your project management and prioritization skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Direct Agents' approach to AI and creative services?" (Show you've researched their unique positioning.)

• "How do you see yourself contributing to our 'builders and operators' culture?" (Emphasize ownership, proactivity, and collaboration.)

• "Describe a time you had to present a creative concept that was met with resistance. How did you handle it?" (Focus on your presentation, persuasion, and problem-solving skills.)

• "What are your thoughts on the future of AI in graphic design and art direction?" (Show your forward-thinking perspective and engagement with industry trends.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your strategic solution, your role, the creative execution, and the measurable results.

• Highlight AI Integration: Explicitly point out where and how AI tools were used, explaining the value they added.

• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the success of your creative work, especially its contribution to client business goals.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, technical execution, and strategic reasoning.

• Showcase Versatility: Demonstrate your ability to work across different mediums and adapt your style to various brand identities and campaign objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation is geared towards assessing a candidate's strategic thinking, technical proficiency (especially with AI), understanding of performance marketing, and cultural fit within an innovative agency. The questions are designed to elicit specific examples and showcase problem-solving capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. Art Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the JazzHR platform.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating strong art direction, integrated campaign experience, and successful application of AI tools in creative workflows. Ensure it showcases your ability to connect creative strategy with measurable business outcomes.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 6+ years of experience, emphasizing leadership in creative direction, campaign management, and any experience with AI-driven creative processes. Use keywords like "Art Direction," "Creative Strategy," "Adobe Creative Suite," "AI Tools," and "Performance Marketing."

• Prepare Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on clear storytelling, quantifying results, and articulating your strategic approach for each project. Be ready to discuss your experience with AI tools and their impact on creative workflows.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Direct Agents, understanding their AI-driven approach, client roster, and "builders and operators" culture. Prepare to discuss how your skills and values align with their mission.

⚠️ 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.

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