Art Director

Job Description

Art Director is responsible for understanding and executing the seasonal creative vision on West Elm, retail, internet and packaging photography shoots; serve as primary point of contact for members of the photography teams.

About The Team

West Elm and West Elm Kids is looking for a motivated and passionate Art Director to plan and execute photo shoots for ecommerce and lifestyle photography needs. Experience working for retail or interiors brand is a must for this role, as is a genuine interest in all things home/design. You’ll prepare decks, lead and motivate on-set teams and, communicate assets to cross-functional departments.

This role will report to our VP of Creative Services and work closely with creative photo and production teams, freelance stylists and photographers.

About The Role

Art Director is responsible for understanding and executing the seasonal creative vision; serve as primary point of contact for members of the photography teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide art direction on catalog, ecommerce and lifestyle photography shoots.
• Partner with Creative Services, Photo and Merchandising teams to create cohesive vision for ecommerce and lifestyle photography assets for each season and maintain style guides.
• Hire and manage photography and styling teams, location scouting.
• Attend all merchandise and pre-production meetings and prepare and present at film reviews.
• Gain knowledge of software, digital requirements and all aspects of photography and retouching, and craft nuances such as lighting and composition.
• Own ideating and execution of set builds with in-house set design team and freelancers.
• Pitch and present asset ideas to Creative Director and leadership for buy-in.
  
  
  

Criteria

• 8-10 years related art direction experience preferred.
• Strong storytelling/layout and graphics capabilities.
• Location & studio photography experience required.
• Undergraduate degree in related field, or relevant training and experience.
• Solid knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects at once in a deadline-driven environment.
• Knowledge of home design trends and competitive landscape from a creative lens.
• Home retail photography experience strongly preferred.
• Technical Competencies required***:
• Retouching and photo uploading programs.
• Experience with Keynote, PowerPoint and InDesign.
  
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work on photoshoots five days a week in our photo studio at Industry City in Brooklyn, as well as travel on location as needed.
• Ability to lead client and vendor calls over a telephone and video conference.
• Ability to work in office and perform in corporate environment when not on set.
• This role requires being onsite in the New York office.
  
  
  

We believe in People First

We firmly believe that working in a culture focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion spurs innovation, creates healthy and high-performing teams, and delivers superior customer experiences. Our DEI initiatives prompt associate participation and engagement, aligning with our core vision to reflect the communities where we do business and put people first.

Benefits Just For You

Depending on your position and your location, here are a few highlights of what you might be eligible for:

• A generous discount on all Williams-Sonoma, Inc. brands
• A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
• Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer
• Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits
• Tax-free commuter benefits
• A wellness program that supports your physical, financial, and emotional health
  
  
  

Your Journey in Continued Learning

• In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University
• Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities
• Resources for self-development
• Advisor (Mentor) program
• Career development workshops and learning programs
• Speaker series
  
  
  

WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration

This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.

The expected starting pay range for this position is $90,000 - $110,000. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.

About Us

Our Company

Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home in the United States. Our family of brands are Williams Sonoma, Williams Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn teen, pottery barn kids, Rejuvenation, Mark & Graham, west elm, or Outward. These brands are among the best known and most respected in the industry. We offer beautifully-designed, stylish and functional products for every area of the home, including the kitchen, living room, bedroom, home office, closet, laundry room and even outdoor spaces. We've seen some big changes since our first brick-and-mortar store opened more than half of a century ago. What hasn't changed is our passion for high-quality products, functional design, outstanding customer service, and enhancing the lives of our customers and the communities where we operate. Today, we're a multi-brand, multi-channel, global enterprise supported by state-of-the-art technology and some of the most talented teams in retailing - and we're always looking for new energy and ideas.