Senior Manager Creative Services

Job Title: Senior Manager of Creative Services

Location: Irving, TX

Reports To: Director of Marketing

Job Summary

The Senior Manager of Creative Services is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the PPAI brand, ensuring a cohesive and compelling expression of the organization’s identity through both visual elements and voice. Reporting to the Director of Marketing, this role establishes brand strategy that aligns PPAI’s vision, mission, and core values with creative outputs that resonate across diverse stakeholders.

This individual is responsible for connecting visual identity and voice, ensuring consistency and cohesion across all business units, digital platforms, print publications, events, advocacy efforts, and external communications. The Senior Manager of Creative Services will develop creative strategies that effectively communicate PPAI’s message to promo industry professionals, the Board, staff, policy makers, brands, peer associations, end users, and other key audiences.

As an advocate for the brand and industry, this role ensures that PPAI’s creative expression supports the organization’s strategic objectives and enhances its reputation as a leader within the promotional products industry.

Key Responsibilities

Brand Strategy & Creative Development (40%)

• Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing monitoring and management of PPAI’s comprehensive brand strategy, connecting visual identity and voice to convey the organization’s vision, mission, and core values.
• Serve as internal and external ambassador and advocate for the PPAI brand through storytelling, design, and creative execution that reflects PPAI’s leadership and mission.
• Establish and maintain a cohesive brand identity that integrates visual expression and messaging across all creative outputs.
• Ensure brand consistency across digital platforms, printed materials, publications, events, advocacy efforts, and internal and external communications.
• Develop creative strategies that effectively appeal to and resonate with diverse stakeholders, including promo industry professionals, the Board, staff, policy makers, brands, peer associations, and end users.
• Collaborate with the Director of Marketing to align brand strategy with broader organizational objectives and ensure consistency in messaging and creative expression.
• Provide creative strategy and campaign development alongside the Creative Team. Pitch campaigns to stakeholders, working within workflow process, to make adjustments and execute.

Collaboration & Cross-Functional Alignment (20%)

• Partner with the Marketing Team, Project Management Lead, and other department directors to ensure consistency in creative workflow, structure, and execution.
• Maintain open communication with internal stakeholders to ensure creative strategies align with broader marketing, media, and advocacy efforts.
• Foster a collaborative environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and alignment across departments.
• Provide creative guidance and feedback to team members, promoting quality and consistency in all creative outputs.

Creative Strategy & Execution for Publications (20%)

• Develop and execute creative strategies for PPAI publications, including digital and printed materials, ensuring alignment with brand standards and organizational objectives.
• Collaborate with the Director of Media & Research to create cohesive visuals and messaging that resonate across all publication channels.
• Oversee the design, layout, and branding of publications to ensure consistency in storytelling, quality, and impact.
• Ensure that creative assets for publications reflect PPAI’s voice, tone, and visual identity.

Creative Team Leadership (10%)

• Lead, mentor, and manage the Creative Services Team, fostering a collaborative environment that promotes creativity, innovation, and accountability.
• Establish clear performance expectations, provide constructive feedback, and support professional growth and development within the creative team.
• Ensure creative team members are aligned with PPAI’s brand standards, objectives, and core values in all creative outputs.

Vendor & Agency Management (10%)

• Alongside Director of Marketing, serve as liaison with external agencies and vendors to ensure adherence to PPAI’s brand guidelines and creative standards.
• Oversee agency creative relationships to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with established brand objectives.
• Provide clear direction and feedback to vendors to ensure quality, consistency, and adherence to creative expectations.

Experience Requirements

• 7+ years of creative leadership experience within a team environment
• Past experience working at an advertising/marketing agency, membership-based association or nonprofit organization work a plus.
• Proven ability to develop and execute creative strategies that enhance brand reputation and drive consistency across various media.
• Extensive experience in graphic design, multimedia production, storytelling, and creative content development.
• Strong expertise in branding, visual design principles, messaging, and creative direction.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across departments and manage multiple creative projects simultaneously.
• Previous knowledge and creative leadership experience within printed and digital publications.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strategic mindset with the ability to develop and execute comprehensive creative strategies.
• Ability to integrate visual identity and voice to create a cohesive and impactful brand experience.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, fostering collaboration across departments.
• High adaptability, with the ability to lead through change and drive innovative, creative solutions.
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills.
• Aptitude in decision-making and problem-solving.

Preferred Qualifications

• Past experience designing publications, both print and digital.
• Advanced degree in graphic design, marketing, creative direction, or related field.
• Certifications in branding, creative leadership, or digital design.

Job Status

• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Compensation: Salary
• Job Status: Full-Time
• Daily Schedule: Flexible
• Work Location: Position must work from HQ location with Hybrid Remote Work Model

Physical Activity

• Sitting
• Standing
• Lifting
• Pushing/Pulling
• Bending/Stooping
• Extended work hours, extended weeks (endurance requirement)

Work Environment

• Office environment
• Trade show floor or event venues
• Temperature controlled environment
• Travel: Must be able to travel (approximately 10%)

PPAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)

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