Art Director (Haircare/Color)

Aquent is partnering with a globally recognized leader in the beauty industry, a company built on decades of professional authority and a commitment to science-backed innovation. This organization is at the forefront of shaping visual trends and delivering exceptional experiences across all consumer touchpoints, driving creativity and excellence in every endeavor. As a key visual storyteller, you will have the unique opportunity to define the aesthetic and emotional connection points for a brand that is a global leader in science-backed, salon-trusted beauty, directly influencing how millions perceive and interact with its offerings.

About the Opportunity

Are you a visionary creative ready to leave your indelible mark on an iconic brand? We're seeking an exceptional individual to step into a pivotal role, driving the visual identity of a leading professional beauty brand. This isn't just a job; it's a chance to be at the heart of the visual engine, where your distinct point of view will shape major global campaigns, groundbreaking product launches, and the entire omnichannel experience. You will translate complex science and professional authority into sharp, elevated visual narratives, bringing the brand's high-energy heritage to life through world-class storytelling. If you thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment and excel at directing captivating photo and video shoots, this is your platform to innovate and inspire.

What You'll Achieve & Impact

As a central figure in the creative team, you will own, elevate, and evolve the brand's visual identity, ensuring every touchpoint resonates with its core values and dynamic spirit. You will lead the charge in creating compelling visual narratives that captivate audiences across all platforms, from global campaigns to e-commerce and retail. Your expertise will be crucial in guiding visual development for multi-product launches, transforming marketing briefs into stunning visual stories. Through your end-to-end direction of photo and video shoots, you will bring concepts to life, influencing everything from casting to post-production. This role offers the unique opportunity to shape the aesthetic of a brand known for its professional credibility and science-forward positioning, driving its continued success and cultural relevance.

Key Responsibilities

• Simultaneously guide visual development across product launch dossiers, global ambassador campaigns, e-commerce, retail merchandising, and paid media initiatives.
• Translate product and marketing briefs into clear, compelling visual narratives for multi-product launches across beauty portfolios.
• Direct photo and video shoots from pre-production through casting, styling, lighting, and composition, overseeing the vision through post-production, retouching, and final delivery.
• Adapt core campaign ideas into platform-native executions across social, e-commerce, in-salon, and retail environments while maintaining brand coherence.
• Present and defend creative concepts to senior leadership, effectively incorporating feedback while safeguarding the integrity of the creative direction.
• Own, elevate, and evolve the brand's visual identity, maintaining high standards for typography, color, layout, and imagery.
• Translate brand strategy into visual narratives that reflect professional credibility and science-forward positioning.
• Concept and execute elevated assets across print, digital, social, e-commerce, paid media, and retail environments.
• Optimize creative outputs for platform performance, engagement, and channel specificities.
• Partner daily with copywriters, video teams, marketers, and project managers to craft integrated, multi-channel campaigns.
• Direct and manage external partners, including photographers, stylists, freelancers, and production crews.
• Pitch creative concepts clearly and confidently to internal leadership and cross-functional partners.
• Provide direction, feedback, and mentorship to junior creatives.
• Keep a pulse on beauty, fashion, salon, and digital culture trends to ensure the brand remains fresh, competitive, and culturally resonant.
• Leverage modern creative workflows and AI-powered tools to push visual exploration, mood boarding, and rapid ideation.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as an Art Director or Senior Designer in an omnichannel environment.
• A visually stunning portfolio demonstrating excellence in social, e-commerce, retail merchandising, typography, and print.
• Proven track record of art directing photo and video shoots end-to-end.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and modern creative workflows.
• Working knowledge of AI-powered creative tools to assist in ideation and visual concepts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Beauty or haircare experience is strongly preferred.
• Understanding of hair texture, shade systems, and professional stylist dynamics.

About Aquent Talent

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits!

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.