Art Director

Primary responsibilities

• Provide creative leadership and artistic direction for Bellevue’s visual communication initiatives.
• Oversee and guide the conceptual development of visual campaigns, including print, digital, stage environments, signage, and branded merchandise.
• Serve as the primary guardian and strategist for the Bellevue visual brand, ensuring consistency across all ministry touchpoints.
• Direct and manage the complete design workflow: creative ideation, task structure, team assignment, design direction, proofing, cross-department collaboration, and final production.
• Lead the strategic evolution of Bellevue’s visual brand identity, recommending updates and developing new creative systems as needed.
• Provide leadership to the Graphic Design team, ensuring growth, innovation, and excellence in all creative output.
• Oversee Bellevue’s signage, environmental design, and large-scale visual installations.
• Partner with Media leadership to support Bellevue’s Vision, Mission, and Values through compelling visual storytelling.
• Manage creative resource allocation and coordinate with internal and external production partners.

Specific Tasks

• Lead, inspire, and mentor the Graphic Design team, providing ongoing feedback, coaching, and skill development.
• Direct the creation of concepts, style frames, design systems, and visual direction for major initiatives and campaigns.
• Review and approve team designs to ensure brand alignment, clarity, excellence, and consistency.
• Oversee file preparation standards, archiving systems, asset organization, and production-ready deliverables.
• Collaborate closely with Ministries and Departments to understand needs and offer high-level creative solutions.
• Work with 3rd-party vendors (printing, fabrication, signage, merchandise, etc.) to ensure quality and consistency of final products.
• Maintain awareness of design, media, and branding trends to continually elevate Bellevue’s visual presence.
• Contribute to cross-team creative planning and provide art direction for photo and video shoots as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervised by

Creative Director

Supervisor’s philosophy

The supervisor expects a collaborative, innovative environment where team members lead with creativity and excellence. Once a decision is made, the expectation is timely, high-quality execution that aligns with Bellevue’s mission and brand values.

Supervises

Graphic design team (and any contract/seasonal designers)

Co-workers of this position

Works closely with all Media team members and collaborates with ministries across Bellevue.

Days/Hours

Typically, Monday–Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm, with extended hours during peak seasons, major initiatives, and productions.

Compensation plan

Salary. Exempt.

Career growth opportunities

Potential to expand into broader creative leadership roles within Media or overall church branding strategy.

Safety/Ergonomics issues

May work with mechanical, printing, cutting, and installation equipment. Ability to lift 50 pounds.

Work environment situations

Fast-paced, high-expectation, deadline-driven environment. Work may vary day-to-day and include on-site and off-site shoots, installations, and outdoor conditions. Possible exposure to extreme temperatures, dust, fumes, loud noises, and other elements associated with production environments.

Education required

Bachelor’s degree in Design, Art, Communications, or related field, or equivalent professional experience (7–10 years preferred).

Certificate/License required

None

Specific experience required

• Significant experience in art direction, brand systems, and concept development.
• Strong background in multi-platform design: print, digital, social, website, environmental, signage, and merchandising.
• Proven experience leading, mentoring, or managing creative teams.
• Experience overseeing large-scale design projects from concept to production.
• Experience working with professional production vendors (print, signage, fabrication, merchandise).
• Experience collaborating with photographers, videographers, and production crews is a plus.

Specific skills required

• Strong understanding of creative strategy and the full design-to-production pipeline.
• Ability to direct high-level concepts and provide clear visual direction.
• Strong leadership, communication, and team-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities with excellence.
• Strong proofing and quality-control skills.
• Highly collaborative and able to work well across departments.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and other industry-standard design tools.

Physical abilities

Regularly required to use hands, communicate clearly, move through office and production spaces, and work at a computer. Occasionally required to stand, walk, lift, kneel, or crouch. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds. Requires close, distance, color, and depth vision.

Working conditions

Primarily office-based but includes regular production environments, outdoor shoots, and installation locations. Conditions may vary with weather, seasonal needs, and church events.