At Duarte, we’ve shaped how the world’s most influential leaders and brands communicate since 1988. Empathy sits at the core of everything we create the ability to know yourself, understand others, and adapt and it runs through every deliverable we craft. We hold a high bar, and we drive our industry rather than follow it. 

As an Art Director, you shape the visual direction of high-stakes presentations and elevate the work of designers across the team. You communicate directly with clients, facilitate creative discussions, and bring executive presence to conversations where visual strategy, storytelling, and design decisions need to align. With deep expertise in presentation platforms, animation, and storytelling, you deliver creative solutions that set new benchmarks in creativity and client delight. 

Our people live four behaviors — the ROAD: 

• Rally self and others — lead with candor, mentor designers, and bring out the best in a team 
• Own the outcome — define what good looks like, keep your promises, and protect the margin 
• Astonish with value — solve big problems, make craft look effortless, and hold a high bar 
• Drive the industry — set a standard others work to match and advance the craft 

Measurement 

This role assumes an average monthly billability rate of 65%, but performance will also be assessed on: 

• Speed, quality, and consistency of both personally produced work and art-directed work 
• Client satisfaction and alignment 
• Collaboration across design, content, and client service 
• Contribution to creative best practices and workflow improvements 

Creative & Design Leadership 

• Direct the visual style, pacing, and overall aesthetic of presentation experiences 
• Apply motion, imagery, and design trends to create engaging, cinematic solutions 
• Provide hands-on art direction and production support from concept through final delivery—sketching, creating, refining, and elevating presentation work directly, not just directing others 
• Guide clients toward the right creative solution when requests need reframing 

Client Partnership 

• Serve as a trusted creative advisor who can read the room and simplify decisions 
• Lead client-facing working sessions, facilitate creative conversations, present rationale with executive presence, and align stakeholders on visual direction 
• Co-create solutions in real time during client discussions 
• Support account strategies, pitches, and RFPs when visual expertise is required 

Systems Thinking & Brand 

• Oversee visual work across anchor or strategic accounts 
• Build and maintain brand toolkits; train teams on consistent application 
• Conduct brand audits and present objective insights 
• Maintain brand integrity while knowing where creative boundaries can be pushed 

Technology & Workflow 

• Demonstrate expert proficiency in PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides, and Adobe Creative Suite 
• Mentor others in specialty areas such as motion, 3D, video editing, or template systems 
• Recommend creative solutions based on venue, format, and technical needs 
• Leverage new design tools, AI applications, and workflow improvements to elevate output 

Project Leadership 

• Oversee 4–6 concurrent projects and balance speed, quality, and efficiency 
• Provide clear, constructive feedback and mentor designers to strengthen their craft 
• Direct and support a blended team of full-time employees, contractors, and specialty partners to deliver high-quality work efficiently 
• Partner with Client Services on capacity planning and resourcing 
• Deliver organized handoffs and collaborate effectively across disciplines 

Requirements To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• 7–10+ years in presentation design, visual storytelling, or related design fields 
• Expert proficiency across presentation software and Adobe Creative Suite 
• Strong foundation in layout, typography, color, pacing, and motion 
• Strong executive presence with clients and the ability to build strong relationships, manage client expectations effectively, and articulate design concepts and ideas clearly 
• Experience as a people manager or creative lead, including coaching creative talent, setting expectations, giving feedback, and supporting performance and development 
• Experience with event production and live presentation support is a plus 
• Experience with motion/3D, video editing, Figma, After Effects, or generative AI is also helpful 

Language Skills Ability to read, analyze, and interpret briefs, brand guidelines, technical specifications, business correspondence, and other project-related documents. Ability to write clear correspondence, reports, and client-facing communications. Ability to present ideas effectively, respond to questions, and communicate design rationale clearly with clients, managers, internal teams, and other stakeholders. 

Reasoning Ability Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations changing frequently. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. 

Compensation & Benefits Base pay is part of a total compensation package that includes monthly stipends for health, wellness, and technology, plus benefits such as 100 percent subsidized medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees. The national average salary range for this role is $83,000 to $100,000. Actual compensation is based on skills, experience, and a location-based adjustment applied for where the employee resides.