Art Director

Who is Weber Shandwick?

Part of The Weber Shandwick Collective (TWSC), we’re the earned-first global communications agency, led by world-class strategic thinkers and creative activators. We create shared and sustainable value for businesses, people, and society. We energise the right mix of talent, using the right platforms and latest technology to choreograph stories that make a real and meaningful impact for some of the world’s leading brands and businesses. 

Our game-changing work is recognised by some of the most prestigious industry awards bodies, and we have won more than 135 Lions at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. We’re also PRWeek’s 2024 Global Agency of the Year as well as being listed on the Ad Age A-List 2024 and Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies 2024. 

 

What’s Happening? 

Join our dynamic team where innovation meets expertise. Weber Shandwick Tokyo is looking for an experienced, ambitious and energetic Account Director to join our team and support some of our most exciting clients, both global and domestic. (Will also consider candidates at Senior Manager level) 

You will have the unique opportunity to shape the narrative for leading companies in the consumer space. You’ll be joining a talented team that creates cultural value and helps brands navigate the ever-changing age of communications. 

We are proud to work with the world’s largest corporations, companies, and organisations. This role offers you the same opportunity – to work with the biggest and best clients in the world.   

  

What will you be doing? 

• Builds client relationships by providing counsel to multiple clients, driving execution of tactical plans to ensure high-quality deliverables.
• Successfully manages client expectations, team resources, and deliverables around major campaigns and projects.
• Serves as an active participant in client meetings and presentations; crafts, presents, and executes integrated communications strategies for major campaigns.
• Conducts and manages the flow of research and materials development necessary to analyse client issues.
• Functions across disciplines with a knowledge of social media strategies and tactics.
• Monitors media outlets for coverage of client and competitor news, leveraging digital and social outlets, a diverse set of influencers, etc.
• Understands industry issues that directly and indirectly affect the client.
• Composes media materials (press releases, pitch notes, client briefings, messaging documents, sample Q&A, proposals, bylined articles, supporting social content, etc.) and conducts media outreach.
• Proofs and edits client-related documents.
• Brainstorms and brings to life compelling ideas for clients and media.
• Leads small teams to conduct pressing research on a wide range of issues, reviews and prepares executive summaries and/or analyses of information into strategic and actionable recommendations. 

 

Who are you? 

• You will have at least 7-8 years of working in the Marketing and Communications field, with previous PR agency experience.  
• Proven experience of media relations planning for consumer clients. 
• Native Japanese speaker and exceptional written and verbal communication skills. A strong command of English is also required. 
• Ability to lead by example and take time to mentor junior members of the team. Be patient and identify areas of development and provide training that could support their growth. 
• Excellent project management and organisational skills 
• Ability to translate client needs into effective project plans.
• Strong collaboration and vendor management skills are essential – you’ll be able to work effectively and build strong relationships with the client, internal stakeholders and external vendors such as event, creative and influencer marketing agencies 
• You’ll be a strong negotiator, with the ability to influence and persuade others 
• Experience of delivering integrated marketing and communications campaigns across multiple platforms.
• Ability to effectively build external relationships. 

 

TWSC Values

Everything we do at TWSC is rooted in our core values of CURIOSITY, INCLUSION, COURAGE and IMPACT.

We believe that the world of work has changed, which is why we have developed a unique employee experience that reflects the world we’re living in. Here’s what we offer:

Flexible Working – We understand the need for flexible working and empower our employees to deliver impactful work wherever they are based.

Global Mobility –We unlock opportunities for our employees by utilising our powerful network, and through our mobility initiative Access All Areas, which includes policies on ‘Work from Anywhere’, ‘International Relocation’ and our global ‘Explorer Program’

Inclusive Culture – We look for qualified people from all backgrounds who are restless, curious and want to deliver impactful work in an environment where everyone can be their authentic selves. We strive every day to foster as inclusive a culture as possible.

Mental Health and Wellbeing – Helping our people stay happy, healthy, and productive is our number one priority, so we’ll support your day-to-day life with our bespoke Intellect wellbeing offering

 

Note from the team

Weber Shandwick is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Weber Shandwick is committed to building a culture where all employees are seen as equal, are respected and where all opinions are heard. We take pride in our inclusive hiring, as well as our diverse workforce and we welcome applications from all qualified candidates

 

 

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Who are we?

Part of The Weber Shandwick Collective, we’re the earned-first global communications agency, led by world-class strategic thinkers and creative activators. We create shared and sustainable value for businesses, people, and society. We energise the right mix of talent, using the right platforms and latest technology to choreograph stories that make a real and meaningful impact for some of the world’s leading brands and businesses.

Our game-changing work is recognised by some of the most prestigious industry awards bodies, and we have won more than 135 Lions at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. We’re also PRWeek’s 2024 Global Agency of the Year as well as being listed on the Ad Age A-List 2024 and Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies 2024.

 

About the Role

Weber Shandwick is seeking a highly motivated individual who is passionate about using data-driven strategy to craft integrated marketing campaigns, who excels in fast-paced, dynamic environments. The ideal candidate will play a crucial role in supporting projects in Japan, spanning various industries and client types.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with over 100 planners, strategists, analysts, and data scientists across our global network. If you have experience in consumer or business marketing strategy, digital marketing, and are passionate about using insights to shape impactful strategies, we’d love to hear from you.

 

What you’ll be doing

Strategic Planning

• Lead end-to-end strategic planning processes, delivering data-driven campaign recommendations and tactical plans.
• Develop strategies grounded in compelling insights and research, working closely with the Analytics + Intelligence teams in Japan and the region.
• Confidently manage client engagements with minimal guidance, ensuring high-quality outcomes.

Collaboration & Growth

• Foster collaboration across APAC offices and beyond, contributing to a culture of knowledge-sharing.
• Identify opportunities to deepen client relationships and drive organic growth with account management teams.
• Actively contribute to thought leadership by sharing best practices and case studies.

Self-Leadership & Business Acumen

• Cultivate an inclusive team culture that values integration and openness.
• Develop research plans and creative briefs that reflect an earned-first, multi-channel marketing approach.
• Understand client business models and market dynamics to enhance account strategy and development.

Business Development

• Support the development of pitch materials and contribute ideas that drive growth.
• Shadow pitch processes to enhance business acumen.

 

What you’ll need

• A minimum 5-8 years’ experience in the analytics or strategy division of a marketing and communications function (in-house or agency). 
• Understands consumer insights, integrated campaign planning and brand and digital marketing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in Japanese and English. Additional language skills are highly valid.
• Curious about culture and how that interacts with the media landscape in Asia and beyond.
• Previous experience of creating marketing briefs and leading on pitches and presentations
• Proven ability to develop business, either through new business generation or growing existing accounts
• An understanding of consumer marketing across APAC markets, specifically Japan, Singapore and Korea and an understanding of the different trends and nuances in each.

 

TWSC Pledge and Values

Our pledge is to welcome one and all, cheer you on, and give you the platform to have the best career possible with us. And everything we do at TWSC is rooted in our core values of CURIOSITY, INCLUSION, COURAGE and IMPACT.

We believe that the world of work has changed, which is why we have developed a unique employee experience that reflects the world we’re living in. Here’s what we offer:

Flexible Working – We understand the need for flexible working and empower our employees to deliver impactful work wherever they are based.

Global Mobility –We unlock opportunities for our employees by utilising our powerful network, and through our mobility initiative Access All Areas, which includes policies on ‘Work from Anywhere’, ‘International Relocation’ and our global ‘Explorer Program’

Inclusive Culture – We look for qualified people from all backgrounds who are restless, curious and want to deliver impactful work in an environment where everyone can be their authentic selves. We strive every day to foster as inclusive a culture as possible.

Mental Health and Wellbeing – Helping our people stay happy, healthy, and productive is our number one priority, so we’ll support your day-to-day life with our bespoke Intellect wellbeing offering.

 

Note from the team

Weber Shandwick is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Weber Shandwick is committed to building a culture where all employees are seen as equal, are respected and where all opinions are heard. We take pride in our inclusive hiring, as well as our diverse workforce and we welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

 

#LI-LW1

The Detroit office of Weber Shandwick is seeking an Art Director to join our collaborative team and craft fun, shareworthy social content for one of our largest clients. As an Art Director, you’ll be hands-on during the entire creative process. Brainstorming concepts. Pitching ideas. Designing social content. And working with in-house creators to bring the ideas to life. You should know what type of content resonates on social and be curious about our clients’ brands. If you’re an Art Director that loves to collaborate and work with others to make shareworthy social content, let’s talk!

Responsibilities

• Craft content that helps build brands with social-first thinking and shareworthy executions

• Stay current on social trends, and look for opportunities to incorporate them into your art direction

• Ongoing development of new ideas, creative concepts, designs and art treatments

• Present ideas and executions to internal stakeholders and clients

• Provide artistic direction for production-heavy and lo-fi social video-based ideas with the complete understanding of the types of video formats that work best across various social platforms

• Design additional marketing materials (printed event information, signage, etc.) and presentation decks

• Ensure all creative adheres to existing brand guidelines and social best practices

• Wear multiple hats: we’re a collaborative and supportive team, so you’ll probably have the opportunity to play multiple roles throughout concepting and execution phases

• Collaborate with diverse teams to turn ideas into social content gold!

Skills and Requirements

• 2+ years of art direction or design experience in an agency or related field (advertising, digital, social media, publishing/content or public relations)

• Extensive knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and social media platform functionality

• Must be a self-starter, with a record of working collaboratively, quickly and with minimal oversight.

• An understanding of what works — and doesn’t — in social media.

• Innate curiosity and ‘in the culture’ mentality

• The ability to work under pressure and hit deadlines

• Portfolio (share anything that conveys the way you think or approach assignments, even if it was never produced; we like chicken scratches).

• Bonus Skills: blogging, journalism, social community management, filmmaking, videography, editorial, art direction, design, illustration, photography

If you’re a creative who loves social media and wants to work in a fun and collaborative environment, we want to hear from you! Apply now and let’s create some social magic together!

The Weber Shandwick Collective recognizes that your health and wellbeing are a priority. This is why we offer a full suite of benefits including:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401k (with employer match)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Juice Money – $60 monthly reimbursement to be used towards purchases that nourish your health, mind, body, and soul
• MyDays – Flexible holiday schedules
• Short-Term Disability
• Paid Employee Family Leave
• Family Building Benefit

Detroit Salary range: $58,700 – $65,000

Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position; market considerations; budgetary considerations; tenure and standing with the company (applicable to current employees); as well as the employee’s/applicant’s background, pertinent experience, and qualifications.

Weber Shandwick is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Weber Shandwick recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, ethnic or national origin, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or citizenship status.

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