Creative - Art Director

Location, Salary, Department, Reports to, Employment Type
Location: New York, NY (Hybrid – 4 Days On-Site)

Salary: $70,000 annually

Department: Creative / Content / Brand Innovation

Reports to: Head of Original Content, Digital Growth Lead

Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Role
HOT 97 and WBLS are seeking a culture-driven Creative Director to lead the visual evolution of two of the most influential brands in music, media, and New York culture.

This role is responsible for shaping, guiding, and executing creative across radio, digital platforms, social media, FAST TV, live events, and experiential marketing , ensuring the brands remain culturally resonant while evolving for modern, multiplatform audiences.

As Creative Director, you will set creative direction, design high-impact visuals, and collaborate closely with programming, on‑air talent, production, marketing, and digital teams. You’ll balance hands‑off creative execution with high‑level vision, helping translate legacy brands into bold, future‑facing visual systems.

This position follows a hybrid work model , with four days per week required on‑site at our Manhattan headquarters.

Why You’ll Love This Role

Lead Iconic Brands: Define and elevate the visual identity of HOT 97 and WBLS—cornerstones of Hip‑Hop, R&B, and urban culture.

Culture at the Core: Your work will live at the intersection of music, media, and real‑time cultural moments.

Creative Ownership: Own visual direction across platforms—from social and broadcast to FAST TV and live events.

Massive Reach: Your creative will be seen by millions of listeners, viewers, and fans nationwide.

Influence & Collaboration: Work directly with talent, executives, producers, and partners to shape how culture is presented and experienced.

What You’ll Do
Creative & Visual Direction

Lead the evolution of HOT 97 and WBLS visual identities across all platforms

Define creative direction for campaigns, programming, and brand initiatives

Ensure consistency and excellence across digital, broadcast, social, and experiential creative

Translate station legacy and culture into modern, culturally impactful visual storytelling

Digital & Social Creative Leadership

Mornings with Mero

Nessa On Air

Funk Flex programming and freestyles

DJ Camilo mixes

Weekend specialty programming

Interview series and talent‑led content

Podcast visuals and episode packaging

Artist announcements and music releases

YouTube thumbnails and channel branding

Instagram and TikTok graphics

Web editorial visuals

Promotional templates

Multi‑platform campaign rollouts

FAST Channel & Broadcast Creative

Lead creative direction and visual standards for HOT 97 TV and FAST channel programming

Lower thirds and chyron systems

Show title cards

Promotional graphics and brand toolkits

Transition and branding elements

Experiential & Event Creative

Summer Jam

Circle of Sisters

Concerts and station events

Sponsor activations and branded integrations

Community initiatives and pop‑ups

Editorial & Campaign Leadership

Artist interview and content launches

Seasonal and tentpole programming campaigns

Cultural moments and heritage storytelling

Sponsorship and partner integrations

Station‑wide announcements and brand moments

Core Responsibilities

Set and execute creative direction across platforms

Design and approve campaign key art

Maintain brand systems and visual consistency

Lead talent‑driven branding and show identities

Develop scalable design templates and toolkits

Create sponsorship‑ready layouts and creative systems

Support merchandise and brand extension concepts

Build presentation decks for executives and partners

Collaborate cross‑functionally with producers, editors, marketers, and digital teams

Ideal Candidate Profile

Deeply embedded in music, culture, and visual storytelling

Fluent in social‑first, digital creative leadership

Comfortable leading creative across multiple platforms and formats

Skilled at evolving iconic legacy brands into modern visual systems

Hip‑Hop visual language and cultural aesthetics

Broadcast and FAST channel packaging workflows

Youth audience and internet culture trends

Event, experiential, and moment‑driven campaign creative

Required Skills

Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop & Illustrator required)

Strong typography and visual system design

Broadcast‑safe asset development and delivery

Preferred / Bonus Skills

After Effects and motion design

3D design or animation

Experience & Portfolio

3–7+ years in one or more of the following: media or entertainment, music platforms or labels, broadcast environments, digital publishing, culture‑forward consumer brands

Portfolio required, demonstrating campaign creative, brand systems and visual direction, social and digital storytelling visuals, show and talent branding, event graphics

What You’ll Help Build

HOT 97 programming

WBLS programming

Summer Jam and signature events

FAST channel visual systems

Talent‑driven and original content

Sponsor and brand partner campaigns

Next‑generation multicultural storytelling

Together, these platforms reach millions of listeners, viewers, and fans across radio, digital, streaming, and live experiences each year.

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