Senior Art Director (Sr. Creative Services Lead) Job at Zs Associates in Chicago

Senior Art Director (Senior Creative Services Lead) - Hybrid role based in Chicagoland area ZS is a place where passion changes lives. As a management consulting and technology firm focused on improving life and how we live it, we transform ideas into impact by bringing together data, science, technology and human ingenuity to deliver better outcomes for all. ZSers drive impact by bringing a client-first mentality to each engagement. We partner collaboratively with our clients to develop custom solutions and technology products that create value and deliver company results across critical areas of their business. Bring your curiosity for learning, bold ideas, courage and passion to drive life-changing impact to ZS.

The Senior Lead is a senior creative leader who bridges hands-on art direction with strategic vision. Reporting into the Content & Creative director, you will champion ZS’s visual identity across the firm, lead high-profile initiatives, and help to shape the future of our brand expression. You will inspire and guide multi-disciplinary teams, partner with senior stakeholders to align creative with business priorities, and elevate the craft of design across digital, social, video, and experiential channels.

What you\'ll do : Translate business objectives into breakthrough creative concepts that differentiate ZS in the marketplace. Design high-impact creative assets, from integrated campaigns and event experiences to social content and video.

Partner with the brand and content team to evolve our brand identity and visual storytelling strategy.

Serve as a role model for creative excellence, innovation, and collaboration. Provide art direction, feedback, and mentorship to junior team members. Guide design execution across a variety of formats including web, motion graphics, video storyboarding, presentations, etc. while also championing experimentation with new media and formats to keep ZS’s creative expression fresh and competitive.

Lead creative presentations to senior stakeholders, clearly articulating both strategy and execution. Ensure creative decisions align with firm priorities.

Collaborate with vendors, freelancers, and agency partners as needed, ensuring quality and brand alignment.

Stay ahead of design and technology trends, including AI-enabled creative tools, motion design, and digital-first storytelling.

What you\'ll bring : Bachelor’s degree in design, advertising, or related field.

10+ years professional design / creative experience (agency or in-house).

Strong portfolio demonstrating campaign leadership, brand storytelling, and multi-channel creative solutions.

Proven ability to lead teams and mentor designers at multiple levels.

Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects / Premiere preferred), Figma, and PowerPoint.

Experience presenting creative to executive-level stakeholders.

Strong balance of craft mastery, strategic thinking, and leadership presence.

Ability to flex schedule to work early morning hours to collaborate with team in India.

Perks & Benefits : ZS offers a comprehensive total rewards package including health and well-being, financial planning, annual leave, personal growth and professional development. Our robust skills development programs, multiple career progression options and internal mobility paths and collaborative culture empowers you to thrive as an individual and global team member.

We are committed to giving our employees a flexible and connected way of working. A flexible and connected ZS allows us to combine work from home and on-site presence at clients / ZS offices for the majority of our week. The magic of ZS culture and innovation thrives in both planned and spontaneous face-to-face connections.

Travel : Travel is a requirement at ZS for client facing ZSers; business needs of your project and client are the priority. While some projects may be local, all client-facing ZSers should be prepared to travel as needed. Travel provides opportunities to strengthen client relationships, gain diverse experiences, and enhance professional growth by working in different environments and cultures.

Considering applying? At ZS, we honor the visible and invisible elements of our identities, personal experiences, and belief systems—the ones that comprise us as individuals, shape who we are, and make us unique. We believe your personal interests, identities, and desire to learn are integral to your success here. We are committed to building a team that reflects a broad variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Learn more about our inclusion and belonging efforts and the networks ZS supports to assist our ZSers in cultivating community spaces and obtaining the resources they need to thrive.

If you’re eager to grow, contribute, and bring your unique self to our work, we encourage you to apply. ZS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities without regard to any class protected by applicable law.

To complete your application : Candidates must possess or be able to obtain work authorization for their intended country of employment. An on-line application, including a full set of transcripts (official or unofficial), is required to be considered.

NO AGENCY CALLS, PLEASE.

Find Out More At : www.zs.com

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