Art Director

Overview

Techo-Bloc is a company that values entrepreneurship, innovation, collaboration, and a positive working environment. The organization operates multiple manufacturing facilities and distribution centers across North America, with a team of 900+ employees. The role focuses on defining how the brand is communicated through design, maintaining creative excellence, and leading a design team while exploring AI-enabled design processes.

This role reports to the Senior Manager, Creative & Design and combines leadership, hands-on design, and strategic direction to ensure all creative work is production-ready and aligned with marketing and business goals.

The Role

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Creative & Design, the Art Director / Creative Lead is the guardian of day-to-day creative excellence at Techo-Bloc. You are both leader and maker—comfortable providing high-level direction while refining work, solving problems, and raising the bar. You will guide designers, shape production and photoshoots, and ensure every piece of creative that leaves the team is clear, intentional, and production-ready. You are also a catalyst for what’s next, leading the exploration and implementation of AI tools and workflows to improve efficiency, elevate quality, and reduce reliance on external partners.

If you thrive in a role where craft, leadership, and innovation intersect, this is where you belong.

Key Responsibilities

Creative Direction & Quality

• Own the day-to-day art direction of all design output, ensuring work is refined, purposeful, and consistently high-quality.
• Guide layout, typography, color, imagery, and composition so deliverables are strong, cohesive, and production-ready.
• Translate strategic goals into clear, compelling creative solutions that move the brand forward.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and mentor a team of graphic designers through regular one-on-ones, coaching, and constructive feedback.
• Set clear expectations for quality, communication, and execution.
• Run artwork reviews that sharpen storytelling, improve clarity, and continuously raise the creative standard.

Production, Photoshoots & Retouching

• Oversee creative production from brief through final delivery.
• Direct photoshoots and manage relationships with photographers, retouchers, and external creative partners.
• Own retouching standards, color accuracy, and asset consistency across print and digital.
• Ensure files are technically sound, well organized, and ready for seamless multi-channel use.

Briefing, Storytelling & Copy Direction

• Develop clear, actionable creative and photography briefs aligned with marketing and business objectives.
• Provide editorial and copy direction so visuals and messaging work together cohesively.
• Shape how ideas are communicated across catalogs, campaigns, and digital platforms.

AI Innovation & Workflow Evolution

• Lead the adoption of AI tools for design, retouching, image creation, and production workflows.
• Research, test, and implement solutions that improve speed, quality, and creative flexibility while maintaining brand integrity.
• Build scalable processes that integrate AI into everyday creative work and reduce dependency on external production where possible.
• Educate and guide the team on best practices for using AI responsibly and effectively in design.

Autonomy & Problem-Solving

• Operate independently: anticipate needs, resolve issues, and keep work moving forward.
• Step in hands-on when needed — designing, refining, troubleshooting, and ensuring projects stay on track.

What Success Looks Like

• Work reaches review polished, intentional, and easy to approve.
• Designers are confident, aligned, and consistently delivering high-quality output.
• Creative reviews are efficient and focused, not corrective.
• Photoshoots, retouching, and production workflows run smoothly with minimal rework.
• AI tools are actively improving efficiency, consistency, and creative capability across the team.
• Execution enables senior leadership to focus on vision and growth rather than corrections.

Qualifications

Experience & Leadership

• 10+ years of experience in graphic design, with 5+ years in a leadership or mentorship role.
• Proven ability to elevate work through strong creative judgment and hands-on refinement.
• Experience directing photoshoots and overseeing post-production and retouching.

Creative & Technical Excellence

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator).
• Exceptional eye for layout, typography, color, and composition.
• Strong understanding of print and digital production standards.

AI & Innovation Mindset

• Demonstrated interest or experience using AI in creative workflows (image generation, retouching, automation, or production).
• Curiosity to explore new tools and the discipline to turn experimentation into repeatable, scalable processes.

Leadership Style

• Clear, confident communicator who provides thoughtful, actionable feedback.
• Comfortable owning quality while empowering designers to grow.
• Organized, accountable, and solutions-oriented.

Mindset

• Independent, proactive, and hands-on.
• Deep pride in craft, clarity, and consistency.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, high-expectation creative environment.

Travel

• Approximately 10% travel for photoshoots and key projects (Canada & U.S.).
• Valid passport required.

Why Join Techo-Bloc?

• Influence the creative evolution of a brand that blends design, innovation, and real-world impact.
• Mentor a talented team of designers while shaping how our work is produced and experienced.
• Be at the forefront of integrating AI into professional creative workflows — thoughtfully, strategically, and at scale.
• Collaborate with marketing, merchandising, and leadership teams that value design excellence.
• Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and real opportunities to grow as a creative leader.

Perks & Benefits

• Group insurance & RRSP with employer contribution
• 24/7 telemedicine & Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Inhouse leadership development and coaching
• Training & development programs
• Considerable referral bonuses
• Discounts on Techo-Bloc’s products
• Outdoor terrace perfect for relaxing or enjoying your lunch in the sun
• Healthy snack-filled kitchens
• Techo-Bloc branded swag
• Employee recognition events

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.