Art Director

About Fender Musical Instruments Corporation

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC), rooted in Southern California, is a global leader in manufacturing, marketing, and distributing musical instruments. Beyond being an instrument maker, Fender stands as a cultural icon inspiring musicians worldwide. Our mission centers on supporting players throughout their musical journey by offering products and brand experiences that ignite musical expression. Our Global Marketing team fosters an engaged worldwide community of players, artists, and influencers across Fender's physical and digital product lines and channels.

Role Overview

We are looking for a seasoned and skilled Art Director to join our Creative team based in Los Angeles, CA. This role will spearhead the visual style and manage the creation and execution of all campaign materials for product launches across multiple marketing channels. Collaboration with various external agencies and freelance creatives is integral to this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Creative Team and other departments such as Integrated Marketing, Social Media, Artist Marketing, and Digital Marketing to shape and implement creative strategies.
• Manage relationships with external partners including agencies, production companies, design studios, photographers, and freelancers overseeing their day-to-day activities.
• Develop and execute culturally relevant campaigns tailored for digital, social, and video platforms, emphasizing digitally native content.
• Handle multiple concurrent projects spanning quick-turn photo and video shoots, both in-house and at on-location venues.
• Drive the expansion of Fender's global brand voice to authentically connect with a diverse, multicultural audience across various music genres.
• Make strategic creative decisions that reinforce and enhance Fender's brand identity, delivering captivating customer-facing experiences.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of five years' experience as a digital designer or Art Director, especially with strong digital and social media skills.
• A compelling portfolio demonstrating visual design expertise, photo and video art direction, and familiarity with studio and on-set production environments.
• Proven skill in pitching and executing impactful campaigns targeted at broad and diverse audiences, with multicultural brand experience considered a plus.
• Technical proficiency with design and editing tools, including Figma, Canva, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, After Effects, Illustrator, Premiere), and Keynote, along with knowledge of current digital technologies.
• Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication abilities with openness to collaborative feedback to produce comprehensive solutions.
• Experienced in project management, particularly managing multiple external partners in dynamic, fast-paced settings.
• A Bachelor's degree in Art, Fine Arts, or Design.
• A diverse skill set encompassing design, idea generation, photography, and motion graphics.
• Musical background or experience advantageous.
• Previous work within entertainment or media sectors is beneficial.
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently.

Employment Terms and Compensation

FMIC offers an attractive benefits package comprising medical and dental coverage, 401(k) plans, paid time off, and opportunities for equipment purchases to support your musical interests. Fender is an equal opportunity employer valuing inclusion across all protected categories. The salary range for this role is $100,000 to $120,000 annually, adjusted as necessary for remote work location differentials. Compensation decisions factor in skills, experience, certifications, and organizational needs.