Creative Director jobs in Appleton, WI

Creative Director, Luxury Brands

Work Mode: Hybrid

Location: Hybrid at Kohler, WI, Dallas, TX or Portland, OR

Opportunity

The Creative Director, Luxury Brands is responsible for setting the creative tone of Kohler’s Luxury brand portfolio across global and content platforms, ensuring execution is to the highest standard and reflective of the individual brand’s positioning with the portfolio.

They will own imagining and directing the vision, creative concepts, and execution of the brands, working with internal and external creative teams and brand marketing functions, including conceptual strategy, narrative, experiences, and digital and social executions. They will drive the voice, look and attitude of the brands to ensure a high-quality consistent brand identity globally.

Specific Responsibilities

• Create process, execution and direction for photo/video shoots, on and off set.
• Help to define brand guides and templates.
• Partner with marketing brand leads internal and external creative/production agencies to execute work that is of the highest quality and consistency.
• Partner with the marketing brand leaders to ideate, champion, and produce sophisticated editorial content.
• Develop and present campaign concepts, working with the brands to ensure that the business objectives are met.
• Execute a wide variety of elevated collateral (digital media, video, print, paid and organic social content, and more).
• Utilize a content creator mindset to develop fresh material that engages and delights customers for both the designer and homeowner market.
• Work with retouchers and editors–both internally and externally–to provide feedback and take assets to the finish line.
• Audit aging assets and manage new ones across the brands.
• Stay up to date on best practices; understand the nuances of paid & organic platforms.
• Manage multiple projects and deadlines with grace.
• Present clearly, take feedback gracefully, move forward.
• Continuously streamline creative processes to improve team structure at a wider level.

Marketing

• Market and Customer Insights
• Develop and maintain an expert understanding of the needs of existing and target customers, including end-use consumers, architects, and interior designers.
• Develop and maintain an understanding of the competitive landscape, including competitor strengths, weaknesses and how to win in the marketplace.

Direct Brand Creative Content

• Lead brand vision and evolution for the portfolio of luxury brands.
• Ensure cohesive brand strategy for each brand, and for the portfolio of brands in total.
• Lead team to partner in execution across brands where appropriate.

Strategic & Financial Oversight

• Develop plan, metrics, and accountability to match and execute business strategic plans. 
• Oversight and management of Budget for assigned department and approve applicable spends. 
• Oversight and management of project budgets in partnership with Account and Project Manager to ensure objective is met and in line with quality and time considerations.  
• Leadership & Talent Development
• Actively promote and cultivate an inclusive and collaborative work environment in line with company values.

Skills/Requirements

• Bachelor or Master’s in design or related field equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 15 years of creative experience in creative direction, art direction and design; focused on luxury consumer brands.
• 10 years’ well-rounded management experience, within a creative agency or in-house at a leading brand, managing creative design and services, with a strong track record of driving world class creative and branding, video and photo shoots and campaign development to strategy and narratives, develop digital journeys driving by customer insights, superior work spanning all mediums (TV, Print, Digital, Content/Video, Literature, Retail Packaging, Graphics).
• Success as a visionary and innovative creative executive with a global mindset around luxury consumer behavior.
• Strong digital first and social platform understanding and the creative that clearly works on them, while driving compelling innovative solutions.
• A strong, dynamic portfolio of proven projects that demonstrate creative abilities and elevation of a brand’s total experience – demonstrated exceptional knowledge of digital design and social platforms, experiential design, typography, branding and print and interactive design while also having a thorough understanding of motion graphics with the consumer journey in mind.
• Hands on experience in leading strategy ideation, complex work streams, creative process, marketing, graphic design and brand development and management.
• Strong experience in managing agencies.
• On the leading edge of current trends in editorial, digital storytelling, technology, communications, home, fashion, luxury, art and other design influences.
• Ability to both understand and participate in strategic conversations and lead others through the creative conception, development, and execution process.
• Outstanding strategic creative leadership, partnership/collaboration abilities to establish deep confidence, trust, and rapport with internal stakeholders as well as external agencies and partners.
• Innovative storytelling with excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as strong presentation skills.
• Incredible organization, communication, prioritization, and decision-making skills.
• Passionate about Kohler's mission, purpose and vision.
• Proven ability to translate strategy into execution and measurable results.
• Strong track record of driving branding at a full company level, able to demonstrate a deep understanding of aesthetics, and an innate sense for what good looks like.
• Expert ability to understand and apply business strategy to deliver better overall business results.
• Excellent relationship building skills, including the capacity to predict and manage behavior, build and leverage cross-functional partnerships within and outside of the organization, and leverage influential leadership.
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to explain complex ideas to others with varying levels of expertise throughout the organization, utilizing the appropriate format for the audience, including the development of high-impact presentations and construction of appropriate supporting business case.
• Expert organizational skills, with the ability to handle multiple, overlapping, and potentially conflicting priorities.
• Ability to effectively operate on a global scale, interacting with locations and vendors worldwide. This role does require travel to showrooms, vendors and events.
• Strong performance management skills, including the ability to identify, recruit, assess, develop and align talent to achieve or exceed the team’s objectives.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

The salary range for this position is $138,350 - $177,900. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision & 401k.

Why Work at Kohler Co.?

Kohler Co.'s mission is to contribute to a higher level of gracious living for those who are touched by our products and services. We understand that it takes investment in our associates’ development to make that happen.  So, we offer ongoing investment in each individual’s personal development and the opportunity to collaborate with others across functions and roles at Kohler.  

In addition to the investment in your development, Kohler offers a benefits package including a competitive salary, health, vision, dental, 401(k) with company matching, and more!

*Important update for candidates applying to roles within Kohler Energy, including Power Systems, Engines, Home Energy, Kohler Uninterruptible Power, Clarke Energy, Curtis Instruments, and Heila Technologies.
On November 6, Kohler Co. announced the strategic decision to establish Kohler Energy as a separate, independent business with Platinum Equity as the majority investment partner. Kohler will continue to stay invested in the Energy business following the closing and remains committed to supporting the acceleration of long-term growth strategies for both organizations. Talent and operational transition plans are underway, and Kohler Co. and Platinum Equity expect the agreement to close in the first half of 2024.Thank you for your interest in joining our growing team as we embark on the next phase of growth!

About Us

Beyond the competitive benefits and compensation, Kohler proudly offers a rich history, steeped in creativity and a commitment to our associates and communities.  We invite you to learn more about our culture and company at www.kohlercompany.com.

It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified personnel in all job classifications without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.  If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com.  Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  

We invite you to learn more about equal employment opportunity by reviewing the Federal EEO is the Law and the EEO is the Law Supplement .