Production Manager, Art Director, International Expeditions

Update: Art Director position filled as of Oct. 15.

From International Expeditions:

We have two positions available at our company (which is based in Helena, AL) that may be of interest to your group. One is for a Production Manager, the other for an Art Director-New Media. Applicants can contact me at CLyle@IEtravel.com or 205-565-2154.

Thank you,

Caroline Lyle
VP Marketing
International Expeditions
1 Environs Park
Helena, AL 35080

Job descriptions after the jump …

Production Manager

Reports to:

• VP Marketing

This position requires a detail-oriented, highly organized and assertive person. This person must facilitate synergy among various personnel, including the creative team, affinity group sales and production, executive team and sales and operations. The PM must have a strong knowledge of production processes including, printing, mail processing, e-marketing and advertising. The PM must be bottom-line oriented, negotiating the lowest production costs while maintaining highest production quality.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Manage flow of all print and electronic marketing material production, which include but are not limited to:
  • Environs catalog
  • Catalog supplements/Special Editions
  • Affinity group brochures, fliers and digital collateral
  • Letter mailings, fliers, postcards
  • E-blasts, e-newsletters (Field Notes)
• Establish deadlines and set priorities under the direction of the VP Marketing [VP]. These include deadlines/priorities associated with direct mail, advertising, Internet/e-marketing, specialty advertising, miscellaneous affinity group collateral needs and various internal documents requiring the design and/or digital printing services of the Marketing Department.
• Primary liaison with the Affinity Group Production department to define client production needs, set production deadlines and deliver marketing materials to affinity group clients timely and error free.
• Secure mail lists based on list criteria defined by VP/Exec. Team. Lists must be provided to mail house in proper form.
• Generate Mass Mailing Forms in order to accurately estimate production and mailing costs and submit to VP.
• Maintain and circulate an updated Production Calendar on a day-to-day basis, which contains history of the jobs in progress, layout approval and drop dates and staff responsibilities for writing, fact checks and final approval. Communication of these schedules to VP.
• Keep advertising schedules up-to-date. Understand advertising materials’ specification for the publications used, and, communicate production requirements to the Art Directors.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of all aspects of print production and direct mail preparation, so as to maximize the cost efficiency and quality of all production and circulation.
• Supervise press checks to attain highest quality in each print job.
• Ensure that marketing mail conforms with USPS regulations, re: mail panel format, indicia, tabbing, etc.
• Seek competitive bids from printers and other parties, especially on jobs requiring large circulation/investment (3 bid minimum).
• Responsible for maintaining strong vendor relationships with printers, mail houses, specialty advertising companies and other service providers associated with the marketing needs of PE/IE.
• Request and remit all USPS permit account checks. Balance permit account weekly.
• Reconcile, sign-off and remit all invoices to VP.
• Contribute to brainstorming with creative team and assess the efficiency or lack thereof in any new production initiative.
• Miscellaneous tasks as assigned by President and/or VP.

Direct Reports:

• None

Industry Contacts:

• Printers, specialty advertising reps, print advertising reps, affinity group contacts.

Company Contacts:

• Close contact with VP, Art Directors, Editor
• Regular contact with affinity group coordinators and VP Sales
• Regular contact with President and COO for final approvals of marketing material
• Regular contact with destination managers and sales directors

Results (Measurements):

• Delivers timely execution of production needs for affinity group and direct channel materials
• Carries out proper proofing and approval processes
• Demonstrates accurate recording keeping and reporting on marketing activity and cost accounting
• Succeeds in achieving high quality production at competitive prices
• Maintains strong working relationships with key vendors/service bureaus
• Effectively communicates job status and budget issues to teams
• Works well in a creative team environment while appreciating and supporting budget-driven marketing strategies and goals

Qualifications for Position:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work calmly under tight deadlines
• Proficiency in Microsoft suite and basic understanding of desktop publishing
• Minimum of 3 years experience in marketing production coordination

Art Director/New Media

Reports to:

• VP Marketing

This position requires a talented, creative commercial artist who is highly proficient with modern desktop publishing tools, including electronic publishing: e-mail promotions, Web site development, PowerPoint, CD ROM and DVD. The AD performs in a time-sensitive atmosphere involving dynamic projects and project deadlines. The AD co-manages a large inventory of photographic image files, fonts, design templates and other art elements. Focus and time management skills are required to accomplish the multiple and diverse projects facing the AD each working day. In the atmosphere of a steady and demanding workflow, the AD must maintain a fresh outlook and high level creative energy to support the quality, sophistication and impact critical to supporting brand leadership in marketing and advertising.

Roles and Responsibility:

• Design and pre-production of all printed and electronic marketing materials for affinity group, travel agent and direct channel marketing. These documents include:
  • Environs catalog
  • Catalog supplements/Special Editions
  • Affinity group brochures, fliers and digital collateral
  • Letter mailings, fliers, postcards
  • Magazine advertisements
  • IE/PE Web sites and e-marketing materials
• Design and pre-production of all internal documents requiring the design and/or digital printing services of the Marketing Department.
• Co-manages IE/PE’s large library of stored digital images and archived documents. Digital image library is used extensively in design/production and the integrity of the image library, responsibility of the AD, is essential in reducing production costs/man hours relative to new scans.
• Keeps track of usage rights of images in the slide library and identifies any/all application of images with fee requirements so as to maintain accurate project budgets.
• Maintains proficiency in all aspects of desktop publishing , particularly Mac-based, and awareness of publishing techniques leading to speed, quality improvements and cost efficiency.
• Maintains a proficiency in electronic publishing including HTML and Flash.
• Responsible for knowing all production deadlines, meeting those deadlines and adjusting priorities within the dynamic environment of the IE/PE marketing department.
• Develops outstanding design and thematic concepts for application in affinity group and direct channel print and electronic marketing.
• Compiles, creates, delivers artwork needed for GEI projects.

Direct Reports:

• None

Industry Contacts:

• Printers, Web site hosting partners, outsourced e-marketing list providers, stock photo houses, freelance art/design entities.

Company Contacts:

• Close contact with VP Marketing, Production Manager, Art Dir., and Editor
• Regular contact with affinity group coordinators
• Regular contact with President relative to design and layout preferences and picture selection

Results (Measurements):

• Performs tasks with attention to detail, time efficiency, inspired creativity
• Adheres to design standards that lead to cost effective post production (printing, mailing, etc.)
• Prepares art work properly for printers and for electronic media.
• Efficiently compiles and retrieves images, art work and copy assets from an organized file system.
• Takes a leading role in creative brainstorming relative to design, format and theme for new campaigns and projects.
• Understands design as it applies to clarity of message, generating marketplace response and desired consumer behavior.
• Performance in an atmosphere of dynamic project deadlines, numerous changes during approval processes and team input into various dimensions of creative end- product.
• Supports proofreading/accuracy through careful attention to “content” during design and layout process.
• Maintains strong working relationships with key vendors/service bureaus.
• Effectively communicates job status to PM and VP Marketing.

Qualifications for Position:

• Strong skills in Mac-based desktop publishing; PhotoShop, Quark, InDesign, Illustrator, DreamWeaver, Flash, Bayshore Solutions’ Content Management/E-Mail Management systems, MSWord and PowerPoint.
• Strong creative/artistic talents.
• Ability to work effectively under deadlines and shifting priorities.
• Minimum of 3 years experience in commercial design art direction.