Location: Onsite at Kohler, WI

Opportunity

The Associate Creative Director, Photography (& Video) is a leader is the execution and delivery of premium photography and video/motion content for all Kohler Co brands. If you have an excellent eye, experience with premium and Lux brands, are comfortable of sets and location, and are an excellent communicator and people-leader, this could be the perfect role. The role will see you lead from concept, to treatment, to innovation (even AI) and nimble (social) content creation. The ACD manages 5-9 direct reports, including Photographers, Editors and Art Directors. The ACD is a thought leader and partner with the boarder design and creative team, and out site partner. This role reports to the VP, Global Creative.

We are seeking a passionate, forward-thinking, and curious leader, with deep photography skills leading studios and brands. Video is a huge bonus. The leader is comfortable behind a camera, lighting, studio sets, talent, and assisting with flat lays. Creating a distinctive look and feel from branding to PDPs is a part of the role.

Specific Responsibilities

Creative Product Output:

• Is able to confidently take on projects of varied scope, budget and timeline — from immediate, quick-turnaround needs to large-scale projects with complex/extensive production and delivery schedules.
• Is able to expertly direct all stages of photo (and ideally video) production, as well as contribute directly, as a project owner, with extensive hands-on content creation experience.
• Global awareness and an understanding of global advertising.
• Responsible to ensure production of team’s work is delivered strategy and on brand
• Delivers original ideas that are clear, concise, and convincing
• Proactively looks for opportunities to foster new and innovative ideas amongst their team.
• Is a student of the industry – keeps abreast of current trends and technologies to maintain leading edge and credible

Partners with Producers to:

• Nimbly manage resources, delegate, prioritize and time-manage amidst a high-volume content creation environment.
• Delivers timely, on budget development and execution of projects designed to deliver results for the team and the business

Relationship Management:

• Assures full trust in covering business partner meetings – can present ideas in a clear manner, can defend a point of view regarding those ideas, and is an active listener and problem solver when feedback is provided
• Has a respectful and partnering relationship with all teams within the group – account, strategy, project management, design, studio production, photography, retouching, digital, social, etc.
• Manages outside vendor and agencies as well as freelancers and contract workforce as appropriate.

Strategic/Financial Oversight:

• Responsible for providing input and creation of creative group, as well as business’ brand strategy.
• 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:

• Encourages and fosters career development of the team; provides creative direction to others – encouraging thinking beyond their own work.
• Leads high performing team that meets all deadlines with work that consistently exceeds expectations
• Can delegate workload and resources effectively to cover major assignments without the need for additional teams, while managing lower level teams on minor assignments