About The Vida Agency

OVERVIEW

Vida is a multicultural marketing and communications firm that leads with cultural intelligence and authentic community engagement. We are built on a foundation of co‑creation rather than extraction—we don’t market to communities; we create alongside them. 

Our work centers on genuine relationships, deep cultural understanding, and campaigns that resonate with diverse and specialized audiences.  

We are seeking an Art Director to serve as the creative visual lead for Vida across client work and internal brand initiatives. This is a hands‑on, contract role for six months, with the potential to transition into a full‑time position based on business needs and mutual fit. 

COMPANY VALUES

We value the wholeness and wellness of our company and community by seeing and giving a voice to all people.

• Balance - Integrity - Inclusivity - Resolute - Empower Living our values through:
• Wholeness, wellness, authenticity
• Treating people as people
• Partnering
• Being responsive to our clients and the community
• Aligning our personal values with the work we pursue
• Striving for excellence with a growth mindset

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Creative Leadership & Strategy 

• Serve as Vida’s creative lead, setting the visual direction and creative standards for the agency 

• Lead Vida's internal brand development, including agency marketing materials, website, social media, thought leadership content, and new business presentations 

• Develop compelling visual concepts and creative strategies that align with client objectives and campaign goals 

• Lead brainstorming sessions and collaborate with copywriters, strategists, and account teams to develop integrated creative solutions 

• Present creative concepts and recommendations to clients and internal stakeholders with confidence and clarity 

• Provide art direction to designers, photographers, videographers, and other creative vendors 

• Ensure all visual communications maintain brand consistency and meet the highest creative standards 

• Stay current on design trends, multicultural marketing best practices, and emerging technologies 

• Champion Vida's creative reputation in the marketplace through award submissions, speaking opportunities, and industry engagement 

Hands-On Design & Production 

• Design and execute high-quality deliverables across multiple platforms including print, digital, social media, video, and experiential 

• Create layouts, graphics, and visual assets using Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects) 

• Develop design systems, style guides, and brand guidelines for client campaigns 

• Art direct and participate in photoshoots and video productions as needed 

• Produce presentation materials, pitch decks, and client-facing documents 

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines 

• Manage a small team of freelance graphic designers to help execute any work that cannot be completed by the art director.  

Project Management & Collaboration 

• Work closely with VP of account services, account management and project management teams to understand project scope, timelines, and budgets 

• Coordinate with external vendors including printers, photographers, videographers, and production companies 

• Review and provide feedback on work produced by junior designers and freelancers 

• Manage creative timelines and ensure deliverables are completed on schedule and within budget 

• Participate in client meetings, status updates, and campaign debriefs 

• Contribute to new business pitches and proposals 

Cultural Intelligence & Inclusive Design 

• Apply culturally relevant insights to creative work, ensuring authenticity and resonance with diverse audiences 

• Collaborate with community partners and cultural consultants to ensure appropriate representation 

• Champion inclusive design practices that reflect VIDA's commitment to respectful cultural practices   

• Understand and incorporate cultural nuances in visual communications for multilingual   and multicultural communities 

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES 

• Other tasks as assigned 

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, Visual Communications, Fine Arts, or related field 

• Minimum 5-7 years of professional experience in graphic design and art direction 

• At least 2-3 years of experience in an agency setting or similar fast-paced creative environment 

• Proven portfolio demonstrating strong conceptual thinking and exceptional design execution across multiple platforms 

• Experience with multicultural marketing or diverse audience engagement preferred 

• Experience managing creative teams or providing art direction to designers and vendors 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

Technical Skills 

• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator required; After Effects, Premiere Pro preferred) 

• Expert proficiency in Figma 

• Strong understanding of typography, layout, color theory, and composition 

• Knowledge of print production processes, specifications, and best practices 

• Proficiency in digital design including web, social media, and mobile applications 

• Experience with motion graphics and video editing preferred 

• Understanding of photography and art direction for photoshoots 

• Familiarity with design systems and brand identity development 

Creative & Conceptual Skills 

• Strong conceptual thinking with ability to develop big ideas that translate across multiple touchpoints 

• Excellent visual storytelling abilities 

• Ability to balance creativity with strategic objectives and client needs 

• Strong aesthetic sensibility and attention to detail 

• Ability to work in various design styles appropriate to different brands and audiences 

• Creative problem-solving skills 

Communication & Leadership Skills 

• Excellent presentation skills with ability to articulate and defend creative concepts 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills 

• Ability to provide constructive feedback and mentor junior designers 

• Collaborative approach with ability to work effectively across disciplines 

• Client-facing skills with ability to build trust and manage expectations 

• Leadership presence while maintaining a hands-on, team-player mentality 

Professional Competencies 

• Adaptability & Flexibility: Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and shift priorities as needed in a fast-paced environment 

• Time Management: Strong organizational skills with ability to meet tight deadlines without compromising quality 

• Cultural Awareness: Sensitivity to cultural differences and commitment to inclusive, authentic representation 

• Resourcefulness: Ability to find creative solutions within budget and timeline constraints 

• Growth Mindset: Eagerness to learn new skills, tools, and approaches 

• Commitment to Equity: Demonstrated commitment to social justice and culturally intelligent marketing practices 

• Accountability: Takes ownership of work quality and project outcomes 

• Professional Maturity: Ability to accept feedback, iterate on concepts, and maintain positive attitude under pressure 

Portfolio requirement 

All candidates must submit a portfolio demonstrating: 

• Conceptual thinking and strategic visual solutions 

• Hands-on design execution across multiple platforms (print, digital, social, video) 

• Range of styles and approaches 

• Examples of multicultural or diverse audience work (preferred) 

• Work from concept through final execution