Art Director

At SMART, we believe that fun and educational playtime can help you become smarter and more self-confident. Each of our products includes a puzzle element designed to enhance cognitive, social, emotional, and/or motor skills. By fostering these skills, we aim to empower individuals to recognize their talents and contribute to a brighter future forRead more »
- Kontich
- Werkplek: flexibel
- Ervaringsniveau: senior

To support SMART Group's continued growth, we are looking for an experienced and driven Art Director to strengthen our HQ creative studio. You will join a renowned Belgian toys and games company that operates internationally. We offer you a challenging position with broad responsibilities in a very exciting sector.
Our creative studio consists of a passionate team of a dozen creative professionals (product designers, graphic designers, DTP'ers and illustrators) who are driven to bring new products to life, tell stories, create experiences and make impact through their work. Our studio is a vibrant environment centered on creativity, collaboration and innovation and is the creative engine behind a range of unique and industry-leading products recognized worldwide.

**Responsibilities**:

- **Oversee artistic vision**: As Art Director, you will manage the artistic and aesthetic aspects of all our brands, ensuring alignment with SMART's creative vision and maintaining a cohesive brand identity across all communications and platforms.
- **Lead and inspire Design Team**: manage a team of designers, utilizing your knowledge, leadership skills, and motivational drive to enhance their performance and creativity. Provide mentorship and foster a collaborative and innovative environment.
- **Collaborate across departments**: Work closely with departments such as Marketing to create consistent and coherent brand experiences. Develop and maintain strong working relationships to ensure that all creative efforts align with overall company goals.
- **Translate Marketing objectives**: Serve as the point of contact for creative briefings from Marketing, primarily focusing on large campaigns. Act as an expert in converting marketing objectives into compelling graphic designs and visual storytelling.
- **Provide guidance and support**: Act as a sounding board within the creative studio, offering support and guidance to the team. Ensure strong team cohesion and proactively address any bottlenecks to prevent project delays.
- **Diverse design expertise**: Possess a strong understanding of various design mediums, including print, brand identity development, social media, website, video, and more. Utilize your diverse design expertise to create innovative and engaging content across all channels.

**Your profile**:

- **Experience**: At least 5 years of experience in a similar role within a creative studio or company, demonstrating a track record of success in leading creative projects and teams.
- **Language skills**: Excellent knowledge of Dutch, with fluent knowledge of English and French, enabling effective communication across diverse teams and markets.
- **Initiative and independence**: You are proactive, responsible, and capable of working independently while respecting deadlines and delivering high-quality work.
- **Organizational and Managerial skills**: Strong organizational abilities and managerial expertise to effectively lead and manage creative projects and teams.
- **Communication skills**: Strong communication skills, with the ability to seamlessly switch between different stakeholders and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
- **Attention to detail**: A keen eye for detail and a deep passion for visual aesthetics, ensuring that all creative outputs are of the highest quality.
- **Proactive and solution-oriented**: A forward-thinking and results-driven approach, always looking for innovative ways to overcome challenges and improve processes.
- **Passion for toys and games**: A genuine interest in the games and toys industry, with an affinity for SMART’s products and an understanding of the lifestyles and preferences of our consumers.

**Our offer**
You will join a growing Belgian company with subsidiaries in France, Germany, the UK, and the USA, and our products are available in over 60 countries worldwide. You will work closely with the Head of Creative Studio and have daily interactions with other SMART teams, both national and international, in a creative sector full of challenges and innovations. We offer you the opportunity to work independently in an exciting and varied role.
Our compensation package includes an attractive salary based on your experience, capabilities, and the responsibilities of the position. You will have the chance to help expand the creative studio and enhance your expertise. We provide opportunities to continuously develop your skills and strongly encourage personal growth and development.

**About Smart Toys and Games**
At SMART, we believe that fun and edu