Director, Creative Operations - Smashbox

Director, Global Creative Operations – Smashbox
Summary
The Director of Creative Operations will lead the end-to-end execution of Creative projects, as well as the optimization of Creative processes. An integral part of the Creative team, the Director will drive and manage integrated production and output, across all consumer touchpoints and media, with an emphasis on digital.
A successful candidate will be a solutions-oriented, systems thinker, with a deep understanding of the Creative process from concept through completion. The ideal individual for, this role will be incredibly entrepreneurial and resourceful, with a passion for driving a high-performing team to deliver the top-quality content on-schedule, within budget, and in alignment with greater business goals.
Principal Accountabilities

• Be responsible for asset release and content distribution to all departments and regions and manage user account access across all departments and regions globally.
• Negotiate contracts with external vendors and creative partners.
• Drive the management of digital assets and archives, including uploading, cataloging, and maintaining an accurate archive, as well as the usage and expiry dates of all assets produced and delivered.
• Own, drive, and oversee project lifecycles including strategic scoping/planning, scheduling, asset creation and management, design reviews, and final delivery.
• Initiate and lead all appropriate project-based meetings.
• Develop strategies for situations where processes do not exist, identify out-of-date processes, and work with the internal team and brand partners to develop new ones.
• Lead and develop Operational and Production excellence with agility and future-proof approach, overseeing the ideation, production process and operations for the team.
• Stay informed on emerging platforms, trends, and industry-related technologies to support content creation and production.
• Oversee project Quality Assurance (QA) by reviewing deliverables against project scope to ensure all deliverables are accounted for.
• Masterfully manage cross-departmental and cross-functional interdependencies to ensure delivery of multi-media, omni-channel assets in a deadline-driven environment.
• Track and manage both actual and projected spend and serve as a key contact for external vendors and partners, including agencies.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams within Creative, Marketing, Product Development, and other relevant departments on defining project guidelines, specifications, and timelines.
• Monitor and negotiate the upkeep of usage rights.
• Lead the training/mentoring of producers on production methodology, financial processes, and project management skills.
• Support the creative team on developing innovative solutions and techniques for creating content.
• Act as a solution-oriented key contact and the escalation point between cross-functional teams and the creative team.
• Serve as the liaison between the team and external vendors and business partners, providing communication to all stakeholders regarding project status, timelines, and budgets.
• Steer, in close partnership with cross-discipline creators, the development of top-quality creative assets across channels and consumer touchpoints, enhancing overall brand experience, creative expression, and achievement of business results. This includes but is not limited to Video, Multi-Platform Social/Digital Content, Print, Packaging, Experiential, Store/VM, Editorial/Copy.
• Proactively navigate competing priorities with adaptability- skillfully pivoting to accommodate shifting priorities as needed.
• Identify obstacles, and proactively establish meetings or integration points between teams to address and resolve them.
• Schedule, manage, and address cross-functional feedback and stakeholder approvals.

Qualifications
POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrates agility and flexibility
• Hyper-collaborative individual accustomed to working with, and understanding the needs of, various internal and external partners, including vendors and agencies
• Actively builds relationships
• Strong knowledge of competitive landscape, technological advancements, and trends
• 8+ years of relevant work experience within agency or in-house Creative team
• Encourages self and others to be creative in approach to work
• Creates and sustains environment of trust and collaboration
• Expert-level understanding of Creative processes, as well as financial fluency
• Prior experience both projecting and managing budgets
• BA or BFA preferred in related field
• Challenges standard practices, and applies new and different ways of thinking to generate new ideas/opportunities
• Highly organized & proactive leader adept at balancing multiple projects simultaneously in a deadline driven environment
• Must have extensive experience producing shoots (photo/video), and well as multi-platform branded content
• Influences internally and externally to gain commitment, agreement and support

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $117,000 to $202,100. Exact salary depends on several factors such as experience, skills, education, and budget. Salary range may vary based on geographic location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a highly competitive bonus program with possibility for overachievement based on performance and company results as well as participation in the share incentive plan.
In addition, The Estée Lauder Companies offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees, including health insurance coverage, wellness and family support programs, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave programs, education-related programs, paid holidays and vacation time, and many others. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company.
Job Creative / Design
Primary Location US-CA-Culver City
Job Type Standard
Schedule Full-time
Shift 1st (Day) Shift
Job Number 237549
We are an equal opportunity employer. Minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. It is Company's policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. The Company will endeavor to provide a reasonable accommodation consistent with the law to otherwise qualified employees and prospective employees with a disability and to employees and prospective employees with needs related to their religious observance or practices. Should you wish to apply for this position or any other position with the Company and you believe you require assistance to complete an application or participate in an interview, please contact [email protected].