Executive Director of Creative Services at Smashbox- Los Angeles

Executive Director, Creative Services – Smashbox in Culver City California United States

Executive Director, Creative Services – Smashbox
Culver City,CA
Reports to: VP, Creative Director
Introduction
Smashbox Cosmetics knows camera-ready beauty. Born out of Smashbox Studios in Los Angeles—the modern-day image factory where countless iconic celebrity and fashion images have been shot—we are a fast-growing, prestige cosmetics brand with domestic and international presence. Staying true to our L.A. studio roots, we are creative and trendsetting, yet laidback and accessible. As part of the Estee Lauder Companies family of brands, we will continue to grow and are seeking a Director, Creative Services to join our exceptional team in Culver City, CA.
Summary
The Executive Director, Creative Services will be responsible for creating and managing comprehensive project management processes for all Global Creative programs. The volume of creative programs will be high and the scope of projects will have many complexities. In order for the incumbent to be successful, they must be a seasoned creative services pro who can drive the process daily, be a solutions-oriented problem solver and a maniac about meeting deadlines. Areas of focus will include job request review, staff management, workload prioritization, coordination of briefings and status meetings, asset calendar prioritization and management, overseeing of trafficking and troubleshooting. This position will have one direct report and have several designers with a dotted line reporting structure.
Responsibilities:
• Own and drive the development of a robust and comprehensive process for managing, tracking and ensuring completion of all Domestic and International creative projects to include print, packaging, visual merchandising, digital, video, copy, and marketing.

• Prioritize global creative projects allowing for optimum productivity within the department, coordinate programs and cascade critical information to the creative team daily.

• Create and manage global calendar for all creative assets across all global creative divisions.

• Review job requests and develop schedules for creative execution. Coordinate domestic and international program timetables and identify global aspects of programs and those that are market specific. Assign appropriate talent for project and manage timelines to ensure project deadlines are met.

• Maintain the Global Creative list and Package Design list and maintenance of paper/electronic archival files of all releases and backup materials (electronic).

• Regularly problem-solve with the creative team to overcome obstacles that arise during the development process.

• Serve as liaison between creative group and cross-functional teams (Global Marketing, Global Supply Chain, Global Communications, Global Visual Merchandising, Global Education, International, Travel Retail and Online teams). Discuss and address program concerns as needed.

• Liaise with Packaging, Print, Visual Merchandising and Graphic teams on budget questions to assist departments in planning marketing programs.

• Serve as direct contact for Global markets for all visual assets and asset delivery requests and track cultural relevance and needs. Then work with internal Global marketing team to filter requests.

• Meet informally as needed with members of the Creative team (Copy, Design, Production, Photography, Retouching and Studio Operations, Package Design and Merchandising/Store Design) to ensure the timely and accurate execution of projects.

• Have full knowledge on how to purchase Print production and Comprehensions. Prepare specifications for Print production and Comprehensions projects to receive competitive estimates from several vendors.

• Complete understanding of the Creative, Marketing, PD Project Management Systems.

• Maintain Creative fiscal budgets. Review as needed with VP, Creative Director.

• Approve invoices, manage creative operation budgets and complete monthly reports.
Skills Required:

• Position requires 10+ years of global project management, traffic, or related experience preferably from a global consumer packaged goods, global fashion/beauty brand or global retailer environment.

• Exceptional organizational and communication skills.

• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects, navigate through changes and still keep projects on track to meet deadlines.

• Able to build strong collaborative relationships with creative team and cross functional partners.

• Must be tactful and persuasive with ability to make tough decisions with confidence.

• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Excel, Word, and basic knowledge of Adobe InDesign and file management

• Excellent knowledge of MAC technical systems and current knowledge on Software/Operation systems to maintain two active servers.
Direct applicants only. We will not be accepting resumes from 3rd party agencies or search firms.
Brand: Smashbox