Art Director

At The James Agency, the Art Director role sits at the intersection of creative strategy and hands-on execution. You will shape concepts into finished work that aligns with client objectives and established brand guidelines, while partnering with a creative team to deliver results across multiple mediums.

This onsite position is based in Scottsdale, AZ, and it’s built for experienced creatives who can guide the details, communicate clearly with clients, and keep multiple moving parts on track in a fast-paced agency environment.

What you’ll do

• Lead conceptualization and development of creative campaigns from initial ideation through final execution, maintaining alignment with client goals and brand guidelines.
• Collaborate with and direct copywriters, designers, and other team members to generate innovative ideas and solutions that communicate key messages and support desired outcomes.
• Provide art direction and guidance to designers and other contributors, helping ensure visual quality and consistency across projects.
• Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and design and advertising best practices to inform creative concepts and approaches.
• Present concepts and designs to clients with confidence and professionalism, clearly articulating creative rationale and incorporating feedback through revisions.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Contribute to a collaborative, positive culture that supports creativity, innovation, and continuous improvement within the agency.

What you bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Visual Communication, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in a creative role, with a focus on art direction and design in an advertising agency or similar setting.
• Strong portfolio featuring a range of creative work across various mediums, showing conceptual thinking, design ability, and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and related design software.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills for collaborating cross-functionally and presenting ideas to clients.
• Proven ability to work under pressure, adapt to changing priorities, and maintain creative and professional standards.
• Passion for creativity, innovation, and storytelling, with a strong eye for design trends and emerging technologies.

Tools and technologies

• Adobe Creative Suite
• Photoshop
• Illustrator
• InDesign

As you conceptualize, develop, and execute creative solutions, you will work closely with the team to bring ideas to life across channels such as print, digital, and social media and beyond. The role calls for artistic vision, strategic thinking, and technical proficiency to create visually impactful work that resonates with the intended audience.