Minneapolis Northwest Tourism Job Description

CREATIVE SERVICES MANAGER

Department:  Marketing and Communications

FLSA Status:    Exempt

Reports To:     Director of Marketing and Communications

Supervises:     N/A

SUMMARY

The Creative Services Manager is responsible for creating, managing and maintaining all visual marketing assets such as digital display ads, print marketing pieces, photography, and videography in support of Minneapolis Northwest brand standards and creative identity of MNW Tourism.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Marketing Design and Management
   • Create, revise, and develop advertisements, collateral, merchandising and branding materials for a variety of media outlets such as print, video, web and social media.
   • Oversee the design of visual projects that are needed from various departments (i.e., customized sales materials, facility art and signage, departmental brochures/hand-outs, etc.).
   • Manage design projects from design through production with careful attention to detail.

2. Video / Photography
   • Capture photographs and video of events, locations, people, and other illustrative and educational material for use in MNW publications, presentations, and online.
   • Manage MNW photo stock gallery to fulfill requests for digital photos, video that include city attractions, events, hotels, and restaurants. Ensure adequate photo options exist and are properly maintained (labeled and filed, etc.) and updated regularly.
   • Shoot, edit and publish creative videos for use throughout our website and social outlets.
   • Re-edit existing videos and repurpose into video clips for other highly customized usage.
   • Select and upload images for website updates (seasonally, and more as needed).
   • Manage crowd-sourced image galleries to keep libraries and website images current and fresh. Using Crowdriff platform, manage rights for imagery.

3. Internal Client Services
   • Collaborate with MNW staff to determine scope and requirements for projects.
   • Brief and advise staff regarding design style, format, production, timelines, and current project status.
   • Collaborate with all members of the marketing team on marketing projects.
   • Interact, respond and communicate in a proactive, positive and timely manner with other staff.

4. External Relationships
   • Develop and manage relationships with vendors to obtain price quotes, delivery deadlines and highest quality.
   • Interact, respond and communicate in a proactive, positive and timely manner with event attendees, partners, vendors, seminar speakers, and the general public.

5. Website
   • Remain current regarding database and website functionality and assist other staff in navigating changes to the systems.
   • Train new staff on database and website functionality.
   • Help to troubleshoot topics/issues that arise related to database and website functionality.
   • Update and maintain photo and video assets and accurate event listings/partner pages, etc., in the database and on website pages.
   • Prepare Google Analytics and other reporting methods, when requested.

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Performs miscellaneous projects and completes various tasks as needed by management.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Desired Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in design, marketing or related field required.
• Three or more years’ experience in a design/creative role required.
• Experience with design software required (Publisher, Adobe, InDesign, other). Software most often used includes Final Cut Pro, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Website design and maintenance experience required.
• Must be proficient in MS Office software.
• Possess video, photography and related editing skills.
• Must provide marketing, photography and/or video portfolio.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent visual and creative, marketing design, and photography/video skills.
• Excellent writing, grammatical and editing skills to write and proof marketing materials and website content.
• Able to continually develop and enhance graphic design expertise in related computer applications including InDesign, web and Microsoft applications.
• Ability to adapt to new technology.
• Effective networking skills; able to represent MNW to the community at local, regional and sponsored events.
• Strong collaboration skills; able to work as an effective and proactive team player with individuals in and out of the organization.
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and relationship-building skills to effectively work with a diverse group/variety of people and personalities, including developing relationships with vendors, community members, Board members, and staff.
• Self-starter with able to work independently, meeting high professional standards. Able to plan, prioritize and manage own work. Able to make decisions and solve routine problems independently, effectively and creatively.
• Detail oriented and well organized; strong project management skills; able to juggle multiple priorities and meet various goals and deadlines.
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information about the organization and the community.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY TO PERFORM THIS JOB

Incumbent must be able to:

• Hear and speak in order to use telephone and communicate with people both in and out of the office environment.
• Apply manual dexterity for computer keyboarding and office equipment use.
• Able to move about for reaching, bending, stooping, etc. to perform office-related activities.
• Possess visual acuity to review detailed reports and information.
• Perform occasional lifting of objects weighing up to 30 pounds and physical activity such as setting up meeting rooms, moving chairs/tables, etc.
• Sit at a desk for extended periods of time and perform long hours of work sitting at a computer.
• Able to travel off-site to meetings, trade shows and other related events,
• Possess a current Minnesota driver’s license and valid insurance. Must have dependable transportation.
• Must be willing and able to work during and outside of traditional business hours. This position occasionally requires travel and attending events at night and on weekends.  This position requires working 45 or more hours per week as needed.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Incumbent must be able to:

• Use computers, telephone, calculator, copy machines, printers and other office equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment is primarily indoors.  There is some exposure to the outdoors and inclement weather when periodically traveling on errands, attending meetings and events, or performing other business outside the office.

This job description does not necessarily list all the functions or accountabilities of the job.  Employees may be asked by management to perform additional duties and tasks and employees are expected to continually assess where their assistance would benefit their coworkers and the organization and step in to fill those gaps.  Management reserves the right to revise and update job descriptions at any time.

To apply for the Creative Services Manager position at Minneapolis Northwest Tourism, please submit a cover letter, resume and link to an online portfolio that includes design, photography and video examples. These materials may be sent to [email protected].

Primary Objectives and Scope 

Develop consistent and unified creative assets to express the Slumberland brand across print marketing tactics, relative to the company’s directional messages: Personal Connection; Visual, Event; Price/Value; Selection; Convenience.

Consistent brand expression is facilitated by the Art Director’s completion and publication of production guides for use by third parties who produce print advertising on behalf of Slumberland Inc. and/or its franchise operators.

Work output also includes design and sharing of weekly print advertising (“pre-print”) templates, in-store point-of-purchase sign templates, direct mail templates, and other print marketing tactics as needed to support the goals of the company.

Occasional design assignments for other internal functional teams (e.g. Associate handbook page templates for Human Resources) are expected.

Essential Functions and Accountabilities

Management

No direct reports. Directs the execution of third party agencies and other suppliers to ensure consistent execution, particularly in the print marketing space. Starting with a featured product from Buyers, designs a full room set, choosing complimentary product, room layout and elements, lighting, and feel of shot. Directs stylist and photographer to meet established brand standards and achieve desired results. Provides occasional advice, feedback, and approvals to franchise operators for locally produced print creative, in accordance with brand standards.

People Development

• No direct reports. See above: Provides guidance and approvals to third parties, franchise operators, and corporate office staff as required for use and application of brand-relevant creative assets as used in the print medium.

Communication and Leadership

• Shares updates to corporate office staff, corporate store management, franchise operators, and third party agencies/suppliers about new or updated production guidelines, newly available creative assets, and changes to Slumberland’s creative print assets (ad page templates, direct mail templates, POP templates, etc.)
• Shares learning with company leadership, direct manager, marketing team, other functional teams, and third party agency/suppliers about new trends and directions in creative print execution.
• Uses and supports the operating excellence tools: work structure, tactical plans, L3 directional A3, and problem-solving documents.
• Collaborates with the photo studio team on delivering product photos to established brand standards.
• Participates in appropriate meetings.
• Collaborates with all necessary individuals and teams to complete tasks and facilitate improvement projects.

Measurements and Reporting

• Creates monthly Key Result Areas report.

Non-Essential Functions

• Maintains a safe and insurable driving record that allows for driving of personal vehicle to conduct company business.

Knowledge and Education Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or vocational diploma in graphic design. Minimum 5 years creative design experience, including high-level graphic design, plus print advertising creative development and implementation. Demonstrated experience in email and website design and production also needed. Affinity for and interest in interior design will be a competitive edge. Portfolio of relevant project work required. Prior experience as a Production Artist in a fast-paced advertising production environment is a plus.

About the Company

Founded in 1967 in Richfield, MN, Slumberland began as a mattress and La-Z-Boy specialty shop whose mission has been to make people comfortable with both its products and prices. Over the past 50+ years, Slumberland has expanded to more than 125 stores in 12 states in the Midwest. The company remains steadfast in its commitment to provide quality, stylish furniture that is easy to love, easy to maintain, and easy on the pocketbook. The family-owned business has a deep commitment to community service, and dedicates a percentage of its profits to charitable giving every year.

How to Apply

Send a pdf including your letter of interest with salary requirement, your resume, and your portfolio link that includes design and production examples of print, web, and email to our search manager: [email protected].