Art Director

1400 Castlefield Ave, Toronto, ON M6B 4C4, Canada Req #1962

Roots is more than just an iconic Canadian retailer, we are a group of passionate people who act with integrity, trust each other and do what is right. We work in a space where people can grow and develop, with teams who own results and are dedicated to seeing Roots win. We seek to build long-standing relationships with partners who share our commitment to maintaining high ethical standards of operation.

We are currently seeking a Fashion or Lifestyle Art Director, who will seek inspiration from our roots, can commit to achieving results the right way and loves to think big to join us on our journey.

Role Overview

The Art Director serves as the creative leader within the marketing team, driving the execution of omni-channel concepts and visual campaign assets that convey brand stories globally. You have the desire to challenge norms, push boundaries and explore new territory to help transform our brand. Whether it’s writing, shooting, scripting, recording, or sketching, you are a creator at heart and love to make things that people want to engage with or view. Strong conceptual thinking with experience art directing still and motion productions, including pre and post-production, retouching, color, editing and audio will be some of the deliverables for this role.

Working collaboratively with the Creative Director in Residence, and the broader marketing leadership team, the Art Director translates marketing briefs into compelling concepts, delivers iterative creative rounds, and assigns team members to execute assets. This Creative leader ensures visual consistency across all platforms, from digital campaigns and e-commerce, to paid ads, print, in-store & window displays, reflecting the brand’s identity.

The Art Director mentors a diverse graphics and creative team and shapes the narrative and visual identity through the strategic integration of copy, design, and photography execution. Working closely with the Brand Director, responsibilities also include managing stakeholders, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and leading integrated marketing campaigns within project budgets and timelines.

The Art Director will be responsible for:

• Lead the ideation, brainstorming, and collaboration required to deliver compelling omni-channel concepts, campaigns & collateral, to support telling brand and product stories, across digital, in-store, paid and owned channels.
• Manage the creative team (Copywriters, Graphic Designers, Developers, Stylists, Photographers) to deliver compelling concepts and execution for creative briefs, leveraging internal and external talent when needed.
• Collaborate with the Creative Director in Residence for larger (upper funnel) global campaigns, establishing a clear narrative that delivers on the brief.

Creative & Art Direction (Graphic Design):

• Curate the visual look and feel, including selecting color palettes, typography treatments, and graphic styles that reflect the brand’s identity.
• Ensure hair & makeup, props and set achieve the cohesive aesthetic of the campaign vision and brand cues.
• Direct the photography approach, including shot composition, lighting, and styling, to create striking visual content that captures the essence of the brand and effectively communicates campaign themes across all channels.
• Ensure the copy achieves the brief and storytelling alongside the imagery and motion.
• Oversee the postproduction process ensuring all imagery and assets meet brand standards and guidelines.
• Global and Local Adoption: support diverse international markets with art direction to maintain unified global brand identity.

Integrated Marketing & Retail Store Directives:

• Oversee the development of integrated marketing campaigns across digital, print, and experiential channels to ensure a cohesive brand message.
• Window Creative: Support window leader in ensuring design of window displays is compelling, aligned with seasonal themes and brand identity.
• Signage: Direct the creation of interior and exterior signage to enhance customer experience and reinforce brand messaging.
• New Store Openings: Support store team with art direction for imagery.
• In-Store Events: Support creative execution of in-store / PR events.

Visual Standards:

• Maintain & update visual standards for the brand, including ecommerce photography tiers, creative photography, models, sets, props and styling, color palettes, typography, treatments, layouts and graphic styles, ensuring consistency in design and output across all channels.
• Cross-functional collaboration to understand creative content performance (i.e., eCommerce, Social, Visual, Paid, PR, etc.) to ensure continuous learning about channel creative best practices.
• Manage timelines and deadlines for multiple projects ensuring timely delivery of assets.
• Budget Management: ensure efficient use of resources without compromising quality.

Top candidate for the Art Director role will have the following:

• 10+ years of client-side creative in-house and/or agency mix, or publication creative team experience. Fashion, Apparel Retail, Production/Creative experience preferred and considered an asset.
• Experience working with a lifestyle brand or in an integrated agency with work examples spanning across all channels (digital, OOH, broadcast, print, social).
• A deep and rich background in Graphic Design is considered highly valuable.
• A strong portfolio that demonstrates integrated and varied experience. You have a passion for creating work that is compelling, beautiful, thoughtful, and is easy to shop.
• Experience managing end-to-end creative development for advertising assets, with ability to effectively communicate creative concept ideas to designers, writers and editors.
• Previous experience of team management in a creative environment.
• Proficiency with all standard creative programs (Adobe Suite, Figma etc.).
• Exceptional time management, project management and organization skills.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize workload, taking responsibility for personal and team deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Passion for fashion, apparel, retail and the outdoors a benefit.

Founded in 1973, Roots Canada is a publicly held Canadian lifestyle brand that sells apparel, leather bags, small leather goods, footwear, and active athletic wear with over 100 retail stores in North America and Asia.

At Roots we appreciate that skills and expertise are cultivated through a range of experiences. We are committed to reflecting Canada's diverse landscape in our products, team, and workplace culture. We value your unique perspective and encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every listed requirement. Accommodations are available for applicants throughout the recruitment process.