Freelance - Art Director

WHO WE ARE:

We are RAPP – world leaders in activating growth with precision and empathy at scale.

As aglobal, next-generation precision marketing agencywe leveragedata, creativity, technology, and empathyto foster client growth.We champion individuality in the marketing solutions we create, and in our workplace. We fight for solutions that adapt to the individual's needs, beliefs, behaviors, and aspirations.

We foster an inclusive workplace that emphasizes personal well-being.

HOW WE DO IT:

At RAPP, our fearless superconnectors help tocreate value from personal brand experiences by focusing on three key areas: connected data, connected content and connected decisioning.
Our data analysts identify who that person is, our strategists understand what they want, and our award-winning technologists and creatives know how to deliver it – ensuring we're able to activate authentic customer connections for our clients.
Part of Omnicom's Precision Marketing Group, RAPP is comprised of 2,000+ creatives, technologists, strategists, and data and marketing scientists across 15+ global markets.

YOUR ROLE:

RAPP is seeking an Art Director who will bring strong conceptual thinking, highly developed design skills, and expertise in a wide range of design programs. You will push the boundaries of creative excellence while ensuring the delivery of best-in-class work. Collaboration will be at the heart of your role as you work with creative partners and team members across core departments to ensure client satisfaction.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Comprehension : Ability to digest and interpret briefs, self-start on execution, and understand how different briefs interrelate.
• Ideation : Develop thoughtful concepts and innovative solutions to creative challenges, backed by solid rationales.
• Craft & Execution : Continuously hone your craft while executing and revising projects with precision and attention to detail.
• Iteration & Elevation : Propose multiple, informed solutions to creative problems and push for constant improvement.
• Directing & Managing : Manage your own workflow with confidence and ensure all work aligns with agency processes and timelines.
• Storytelling & Selling : Present and sell ideas effectively to internal teams and clients, with a clear rationale behind your creative decisions.
• Business Contribution : Own parts of projects, ensuring on-time and on-brief delivery while contributing to client growth and agency success.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Execute creative concepts that are on strategy and aligned with client goals across all direct response media (email, direct mail, print, display, social, digital, TV, radio).
• Generate innovative ideas and strive for cutting-edge, inclusive, and impactful solutions.
• Handle high-level projects and manage multiple assignments simultaneously with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate expertise in typography, layout, and graphic design while maintaining a strong sense of animation and motion where applicable.
• Adapt and apply brand guidelines to both digital and direct response environments. Collaborate with creative partners and core departments to deliver work that exceeds expectations.
• Present creative work with confidence, effectively communicating the rationale behind your design choices.
• Manage workflow efficiently, meeting deadlines and consistently delivering on time and on budget.
• Stay current with design and technological trends, incorporating them into your work for fresh and effective executions.
• Take ownership of the production process by reviewing and signing off on mechanical proofs, collaborating with Production, Art Buying, and Studio teams.
• Develop work within the budget and guidelines of each assignment.

SUCCESS CRITERIA

• Exceptional execution of creative concepts across diverse media.
• Clear and articulate communication, fostering strong team relationships and client trust.
• Development of thoughtful and informed points of view that elevate client work.
• Proactively track marketplace trends and provide relevant insights to improve creative outcomes.
• Demonstrate leadership by mentoring junior team members and fostering a culture of collaboration and creativity..

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience : 2-5 years of art direction experience, with a portfolio showcasing produced work across channels (DM, EM, print, display, social, digital, TV, and radio).
• Technical Proficiency : Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat), with moderate experience in prototyping tools like Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch . Experience in Keynote, PowerPoint, and Google Slides is a good thing to have. Curiosity and fiddling with AI tools is a plus.
• Design Craft : Strong skills in typography, layout design, and animation, with attention to detail and a relentless drive for precision.
• Communication : Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present and sell ideas effectively to internal teams and clients.
• Collaboration : Comfortable working in a team-oriented environment, with a commitment to inclusivity and respect for diverse perspectives.
• Adaptability : Ability to thrive under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and manage competing priorities with efficiency.

Our Hybrid Work Model:

RAPP's current hybrid model is designed to enable in-person connections and collaboration that is core to our culture, while also supporting flexibility for all employees. As such, we have the option to work from home two days per week, if we'd like.

A reasonable estimate of the salary for this role, at the time of posting, is $34.53 - $49.73/hr. This range is specific to Chicago and multiple factors are considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to: skill set, experience and training, certifications; etc. If your requirements fall outside of this range, you are still welcome to apply.

"As an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status."

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

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