Jr Art Director

Cherokee Nation Businesses is looking for a Junior Art Director to help plan, concept, design, and produce a wide range of graphic design work for a diverse audience. In this onsite role in Tulsa, OK, you will support creative direction, coordinate with cross-functional partners, and help ensure production-ready files and consistent quality across print and collateral materials.

What you’ll do

• Plan, concept, design, and produce a full range of graphic design products.
• Provide art direction for assigned jobs and art direct/mentor other designers as needed.
• Develop concepts aligned to partner requirements and creative requests, including variations in color, type, layout, and theme based on established identity standards.
• Complete requested changes and corrections promptly and accurately.
• Prepare electronic files (preflight) for digital printing and for four-color process and spot-color offset printing.
• Communicate daily with the operations department to support delivery and production flow.
• Collaborate with other designers and copywriters to develop new concepts.
• Assist with establishing and maintaining high standards of reproduction across print, outdoor, audio/visual, and collateral materials.
• Monitor the quality of finished mechanical art and conceptual materials produced by internal and freelance designers.
• Advise leadership on departmental status and design-related needs, including computer hardware/software upgrades, equipment issues, and training.
• Consult with leadership and copywriters as necessary to support agency objectives.
• Examine and approve finished art and conceptual materials, and supervise alterations or corrections.
• Maintain a current list of available freelance artists, photographers, and other contributory talent.
• Oversee standards in type specification, color quality, inspection, and approval of vendor proofs.
• Lead and/or guide the work of other employees.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Required experience and education

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 to 5 years of graphic design experience.
• Portfolio required.
• Experience using a combination of page layout, word processing, and photo editing software to design, create, and prepare materials for digital and offset print production.
• Working knowledge of the printing process, including paper and ink selection, size requirements, bleeds, crops, and folding.
• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite in a Mac environment.
• Excellent organizational, communication, interpersonal, and computer skills.
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to multi-task.
• Ability to use judgment to create effective communication pieces that convey customer message and theme.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, act decisively, be flexible, and work well in a multi-cultural team environment.
• Ability to work independently to assess priorities and coordinate details with minimal supervision.
• Ability to direct and mentor others across design, art direction, and production.

Tools and technologies

• Adobe Creative Suite
• Mac environment
• Page layout software
• Word processing and photo editing software
• Digital printing
• Four-color process
• Spot-color offset printing

Work setup and physical demands

• Primarily performed in a climate-controlled office setting.
• May require lifting objects up to 10 lbs.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical Plan, including a $0 deductible plan.
• 401(k) with a fully vested 6% employer match.
• Incentives based on company performance and/or employee referral program.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Nationwide employee discount program.
• Employee emergency fund.
• Access to free health clinics at select locations.
• 24/7 telemedicine access.
• Maternity, paternal, and adoption leave.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Voluntary benefits.

Elite benefits program (for eligible employees)

• Comprehensive Medical Plan with a $0 deductible option to choose coverage for you and your family.
• Fully vested 6% employer match 401(k).
• Financial incentives based on company performance and/or referral program; includes tuition reimbursement, nationwide employee discounts, and an employee emergency fund.
• Access to free health clinics at select locations and 24/7 telemedicine.
• Work-life balance support including maternity, paternal, and adoption leave, plus flexible spending accounts and voluntary benefits.

A company with a purpose: Cherokee Nation Businesses is guided by shared enterprise values including Work with Purpose, Serve with Purpose; Gadugi (Work together for the common good); Exemplify Integrity in everything we do; Be Intentional in planning and Committed in delivery. The company reinvests 63% of profits back into core businesses to fund growth and opportunities for employees, and delivers 37% to the Cherokee Nation as a dividend supporting programs and services that improve the lives of Cherokee citizens and communities.