ERM Group is seeking an Art Director to provide creative leadership across client engagements, digital experiences, and sustainability communications.
Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor, and develop graphic designers; set expectations and support growth for capabilities and careers
- Provide clear direction, feedback, and career development input across projects
- Partner with client teams and clients on creative, engaging ways to leverage communications in the digital space
- Operate effectively in a fast‑paced environment with shifting priorities and tight timelines
- Balance multiple in‑flight projects while understanding priorities and project parameters
- Own projects from early concept through final delivery, ensuring strategic alignment and high‑quality execution
- Collaborate with leadership to develop sales opportunities tied to design, including preparing estimates and contributing to proposals
- Lead by example through hands‑on design, collaboration, and creative problem‑solving
- Build trusted internal and external relationships
- Research and report on design trends to the design team and broader organization
- Support recruiting and onboarding efforts
- Present design work on client calls, answer questions, and provide strategic insight
- Help set and manage client design project schedules
- Oversee existing design rules and processes with the design team
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or equivalent experience
- 4-6+ years of professional graphic design experience
- 2+ years of leadership experience
- Agency experience preferred; demonstrated senior design capability
- Strength in people leadership
- Portfolio demonstrating digital, print, interactive, and branding work
- Strong understanding of design principles, typography, and page layout
- Extreme attention to detail with proven quality control
- Interest in collaborating with writers, strategists, and digital designers
- Ability to communicate effectively with clients and lead design‑focused discussions
- Self‑motivated, flexible, able to multitask and meet shifting deadlines
- Collaborative approach and investment in team success
- Open to input and feedback from colleagues, creatives, and clients
- Ability to work extended hours when necessary
- Conscientious with high attention to detail
- Comfort with digital strategies and best practices, with interest in new ways to engage users
- Eagerness to expand and grow as a creative professional
- Strong interpersonal skills, including diplomacy, tact, assertiveness, and the ability to manage up
- Ability to handle conflict and manage difficult conversations internally and externally
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast‑paced environment
- Integrates Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B) into leadership culture
Technologies
- Mac OS
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Figma
- Microsoft Office
- Slack
- Teams
- Monday.com
- CSS
- HTML
- Workiva
- InDesign
Benefits
- Paid time off (vacation, sick, and floating holidays)
- Parental leave
- Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance
- 401(k)
- Other applicable benefits to eligible employees
Preferred
- Marketing, communications, and advertising experience
- Ability to communicate complex information to internal and external stakeholders
- Experience estimating design budgets
- Familiarity with AI design tools
- Data and infographic design experience
- Experience with major social and digital engagement platforms
- Accessibility experience for websites and PDFs
- Experience with multi‑page editorial layout design (annual/sustainability reports, books, magazines)
- Solid understanding of UX/UI design for digital experiences
- Knowledge of CSS and HTML
- Retouching capabilities
- Experience managing outside vendors, including design, photography, video, developers, and printing
- Video and animation production
- Illustration
- 3D rendering
- Working knowledge of Workiva and InDesign integration
- Sustainability experience
- Consulting experience
Location and Work Model
- Knoxville, TN (hybrid)
- Client‑facing role may work remotely within Eastern or Central time zones or in a hybrid model
- Preference for three days in person near the Knoxville office
Compensation
- Anticipated annual base pay: $79,000 - $93,100 (USD)