Director of Creative Services in Bloomingdale, Illinois at Roman, Inc.

ROMAN is a leading producer and exclusive distributor of Christmas decorations, inspirational products, and religious articles. We are dedicated to offering a unique selection of products to help people celebrate everyday joys and the special occasions in their lives. Our products are available in specialty retailers and department stores worldwide. Among the largest privately owned and operated firms in the giftware industry, ROMAN is able to offer a unique blend of family culture along with the opportunity for personal and professional growth.

The Director of Creative Services leads the visual identity, studio operations, and production strategy of the company and our brands. You will manage, mentor and participate with an on-site creative team to produce catalogs, marketing materials, packaging, high-end photography and artwork upon request. A key focus of this role is integrating artificial intelligence (AI) tools into our studio workflows to optimize efficiency and scale production. This position coordinates the production of all printed materials with outside international and domestic vendors.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Studio Operations

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the on-site creative studio
• Mentor internal staff, including designers, photographers, and writers
• Foster a collaborative, high-energy environment for on-site execution
• Approve all final designs, layouts, and marketing assets in person
• Collaborate with peers to ensure projects are completed correctly and on time

Project & Asset Production

• Oversee end-to-end catalog development from concept to print
• Lead high-volume commercial photography and video shoots in our studio
• Produce marketing materials for showrooms and ad campaigns
• Manage project budgets, production timelines, and resource allocation

AI Integration & Innovation

• Implement AI tools to accelerate on-site content creation workflows
• Utilize AI for automated image editing and asset variation
• Research emerging creative technologies to keep up with advances in technology

Qualifications

• Experience: 20+ years in creative direction with 10+ years managing direct reports
• Leadership: Proven track record of managing an on-site creative team
• Portfolio: Strong background in catalog production, photography direction and art creation
• Tech Skills: Mastery of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator), other art and photography creation/manipulation programs and Microsoft Office Suite
• AI Literacy: Hands-on experience with AI tools

Physical Requirements:

• In Office
• Typical office environment (standing, sitting) as well as photo studio environment (lifting, carrying)
• Domestic travel