Associate Creative Director

Associate Creative Director

Chicago IL (Hybrid) Full-Time

The Tie Bar is known for premium menswear offering an extensive assortment of ties accessories and tailored essentials. Through thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship we help customers build a polished wardrobe with confidenceyour ultimate wingman for showing up sharp stylish and ready for any moment.

Were looking for an Associate Creative Director to lead the concepting direction and execution of brand and product storytelling across all consumer touchpoints with a primary focus on direct-to-consumer channels. Youll lead a nimble creative team spanning design copy and visual merchandising/styling ensuring The Tie Bars brand is expressed consistently and compellingly across digital retail and physical experiences.

If youre equally comfortable art directing a photoshoot mentoring a creative team developing seasonal campaigns and optimizing creative for performance wed love to meet you.

Youll:

• Lead the development of seasonal campaigns including concepting moodboards and art direction aligned with brand and customer positioning
• Direct photo and video shoots overseeing concept development casting styling and on-set creative direction
• Manage and mentor a small creative team providing clear direction feedback and professional development
• Collaborate with merchandising and product teams to identify storytelling opportunities that highlight key categories and occasions
• Partner with e-commerce and marketing teams to create high-performing digital assets across email website paid media and social
• Concept and oversee paid social campaigns; analyze performance and iterate creative in partnership with performance marketing
• Guide retail creative and visual merchandising direction to ensure consistency with broader brand campaigns
• Design and oversee brand assets including packaging lookbooks presentations and in-store materials
• Manage relationships with external freelancers photographers stylists and production partners as needed

What Were Looking For

Youre a versatile creative leader who understands that great brand storytelling is both beautiful and conversion-minded.

You bring:

• 57 years of experience in a creative art direction or design role preferably within mens fashion accessories or DTC lifestyle brands
• Excitement to be part of our Chicago-based team with an appreciation for the citys creative and retail community
• Prior experience managing or mentoring creative team members
• A strong portfolio demonstrating campaign development brand storytelling and multi-channel execution with a focus on digital performance
• Experience leading photoshoots and content production with a refined eye for mens styling composition and detail
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop InDesign Illustrator) and presentation/design tools (Figma Keynote etc.)
• Strong understanding of ecommerce best practices and performance-driven creative
• Excellent communication organizational and project management skills

Bonus Points If You...

• Have a passion for mens style tailoring and occasion-based dressing
• Appreciate classic design with a modern sensibility
• Thrive in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment where resourcefulness and agility are essential

Why Youll Love This Role

This isnt a production-only creative position.

Youll be a key steward of the brandshaping how The Tie Bar shows up across ecommerce retail and marketing while leading and developing a small high-performing creative team. Youll own projects from concept through production bridging digital and physical brand experiences to create a seamless omnichannel story.

If youre energized by building brands through elevated conversion-minded creativity wed love to meet you.

Who We Are

The Digital Stronghold is a portfolio of five brands spanning performance athletics and everyday style including Taylor Stitch The Tie Bar Boston Scally Pedal Mafia and Glade Optics. Each brand has its own loyal community and distinct point of view and together they cover a broad range of how men live perform and dress.

We are creators builders and collaborators. We believe in design-led thinking thoughtful storytelling and delivering products and experiences that our consumers truly love.

Our Values

• Own the Outcome
• Move with Purpose
• Speak Truth Listen Fully
• Learn and Share
• Drop the Ego
• Build for the Long Haul

Location: Chicago IL (Hybrid) on-site as needed with flexibility for remote work based on business needs

Travel: 1020% (photoshoots production and store visits)

Ready to lead creative that moves a brand forward Apply today and share your portfoliowe cant wait to see what youll build.