Senior Art Director, Makeup

Aquent is partnering with a leading global beauty retailer renowned for its innovative marketing strategies, commitment to inclusivity, and dedication to delivering an exceptional client experience. This company stands as an ultimate authority in the beauty industry, constantly evolving how it engages with clients and fostering a culture of curiosity, courage, and agility. Here, every client feels they belong, and every team member contributes to a dynamic, collaborative environment.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a vibrant team focused on a high-growth product category, where your creative vision will directly drive sales and expand the client base. As a key creative leader, you will translate strategic objectives into captivating visual narratives, shaping the future of marketing campaigns across all channels. Your expertise will not only elevate brand presence but also inspire and mentor junior talent, making a tangible impact on category growth and client acquisition.

About the Role

Step into a pivotal creative leadership role where your vision will directly influence the success of marketing campaigns within a dynamic product category. You will lead the concept, asset design, and delivery of best-in-class creative, propelling category growth and achieving ambitious sales targets. This role demands an experienced creative leader with a deep understanding of 360 campaigns, encompassing digital content, targeted paid media, immersive retail experiences, and national advertising. You will balance a big-picture creative vision with meticulous attention to detail, providing clear direction and ensuring all creative work is elevated, on-brand, and highly relevant to clients. Your contributions will be central to shaping how clients engage with the brand and driving significant business impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Translate marketing objectives, product insights, and audience behaviors into clear, compelling creative concepts, leading art direction from initial concept through final execution.
• Ensure all creative output meets the highest standards of craft and detail.
• Partner closely with cross-functional teams, including content development, production, marketing, and project management, to bring campaigns to life from concept through final delivery.
• Mentor and inspire more junior team members, fostering their growth and development.
• Assist or lead video and photography shoots, ensuring creative vision is captured effectively.
• Confidently present creative concepts and campaign strategies to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Required Skills & Experience

• At least 10+ years of design experience, with 5-8+ years of creative leadership experience, preferably within the beauty, retail, or agency sectors.
• A compelling portfolio showcasing experience in conceptual campaign and design work, with a strong emphasis on paid media and motion graphics.
• Expertise in creative and content development across both retail and digital spaces.
• Deep knowledge of design principles, typography, color theory, and visual systems, with a keen eye for visual craft and detail.
• Proven experience working across photography and motion, with the ability to art direct photo and video shoots effectively.
• A solutions-oriented mindset, capable of managing ambiguity and navigating shifting priorities with agility.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor others while also being willing to engage in hands-on creative work.
• Highly collaborative with strong communication and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in giving precise retouching direction for beauty, product, and color correction.
• Current knowledge of beauty, fashion, and design trends.
• Understanding of the social ecosystem and paid media trends.
• Proficiency in industry-standard design and productivity software.

About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits!

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.