Director, Head of Art Direction

Role Overview

The Head of Art Direction will lead the creative vision and oversee the creation of photography and video content across all customer marketing channels. Collaborating closely with senior creative leadership and cross-functional teams, this role focuses on crafting compelling visual content that enhances the Belk brand, supports business goals, and drives customer interaction. Responsibilities include directing campaign photography, video production, lifestyle imagery, social-first content, promotional marketing, and brand storytelling.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Creative and Marketing leaders to strategize and implement photography and video initiatives aligned with brand and business objectives.
• Maintain and evolve Belk's visual identity in photographic and motion content across all customer interactions.
• Stay current with trends in retail, fashion, lifestyle, and digital content to identify creative innovation opportunities.
• Lead execution of on-model, editorial, lifestyle, campaign, e-commerce, social, and promotional imagery and videos.
• Work alongside Marketing and Creative teams to support launches, campaigns, retail initiatives, influencer projects, brand events, and major marketing occasions.
• Direct all elements of photo and video shoots including lighting, composition, talent direction, and final content selection.
• Oversee photography and video budgets and manage vendor relationships to optimize creative outcomes and operational efficiency.
• Provide guidance through pre-production, production, and post-production to ensure visual consistency and quality.
• Approve final photos, video edits, and retouching ensuring brand standards alignment.
• Ensure timely and accurate delivery of photography and video assets that meet brand guidelines.
• Support omnichannel marketing initiatives spanning digital, social, retail, print, broadcast, and emerging media.
• Establish photography and video standards, workflows, and best practices to ensure efficient, high-caliber content creation.
• Act as a key creative contributor in maintaining and advancing the brand's visual identity through photography and video.
• Champion creative innovation, including new photography techniques, editing technologies, and AI-enabled tools, while preserving brand authenticity.

Additional Information

Applicants must submit a portfolio including photo and video samples along with social media profiles for consideration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, Design, Visual Communications, Photography, Fine Arts, or related field is required.
• Over 10 years of professional experience involving photography, art direction, creative leadership, brand marketing, or similar creative fields.
• At least 5 years of leadership experience managing creative teams, agencies, freelancers, and production partners.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in retail and brand contexts, creating photography and video content for fashion, lifestyle, or consumer brands.
• At least 3 years directing large brand campaigns, seasonal stories, product launches, and integrated marketing efforts.
• Strong expertise in photography, video production, visual storytelling, lighting, composition, and post-production workflows.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to translate strategic business objectives into compelling visual campaigns.
• A balanced combination of creative skill, strategic thinking, and business understanding.
• Solid project management skills to handle multiple priorities simultaneously in a dynamic environment.
• Proficient with Adobe Creative Suite including Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, and After Effects; experience with digital asset management and production workflows.

Travel

• Up to 25% travel required for location shoots, campaign productions, vendor meetings, industry events, and other business needs.

Accessibility and Inclusion

The company is dedicated to ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities during the application process and is committed to equal opportunity employment without discrimination on any legally protected basis.

Compensation

Base salary ranges from $136,000 to $210,000, varying based on experience, skills, achievements, or work location. This is part of the overall compensation package.