Photography Art Director

Location:

Secaucus, New Jersey

Job Summary:

The Children's Place and Gymboree are two of North America's most recognized children's apparel brands. The Children's Place brings accessible, everyday style to families across the country, built on a foundation of quality, value and real-life wearability. Gymboree sits alongside it as a more elevated expression of children's fashion, where premium fabrics, refined aesthetics and a distinct
brand point of view come together to create clothing that feels as considered as it looks.
Together, we dress millions of kids every season. We are building a creative organization that matches the ambition of that mission.

WHY THIS ROLE
Great photography is the result of a strong creative vision, disciplined execution and a leader who knows exactly what a brand needs to look like.
We created this role to define a clear, elevated, and consistent photographic identity across both brands. In partnership with the Brand Creative Director, the Photo Art Director will shape and uphold that vision. From seasonal concept development and on-set direction to the standards that guide every shoot, this role sets the visual benchmark.
This is a director-level role with direct impact on how millions of customers experience both brands every day.

Responsibilities:

What You Will Do:

Creative Direction

• Lead on-set photo art direction across all TCP and Gymboree campaigns, seasonal content and ecommerce shoots.

• Bring a strong, decisive point of view to every set, with a trained eye for lighting, composition, casting and styling.

• Own the creative brief for each shoot, ensuring execution matches the seasonal concept from concept through final selects.

Concept Development

• Collaborate with the Brand Creative leadership team on seasonal concept development for both brands.

• Translate brand strategy and seasonal direction into a clear photographic vision that works across all channels.

• Stay current on visual trends in children's fashion, lifestyle and ecommerce photography.

Brand Standards

• Develop and maintain photo standards manuals for TCP and Gymboree as both brands evolve.

• Establish and document ecommerce and campaign photography guidelines for on-figure, lifestyle and product imagery.

• Ensure visual consistency across all channels including ecommerce, marketing, social and retail.

Production Oversight

• Provide creative oversight of the photoshoot plan document in partnership with the Junior Photo Producer.

• Review casting options and provide direction on model selects aligned to brand standards and inclusive representation.

• Partner with post-production on retouching direction and final image delivery.

Team Leadership

• Directly manage the Junior Photo Producer, providing mentorship, clear direction and ongoing development.

• Build a collaborative, respectful and high-performing photo creative culture

What You Bring:

• 7 or more years of experience in photo art direction within fashion retail, apparel or a closely related category.

• A strong portfolio demonstrating brand-building campaigns, ecommerce and editorial work across diverse talent.

• Deep knowledge of photography production from pre-production through on-set execution and post-production.

• A trained eye for casting that reflects inclusive, diverse and authentic representation.

• Experience developing or maintaining photo standards, style guides or brand photography guidelines.

• Strong communication skills and comfort presenting creative direction to cross-functional partners and senior leadership.

• Experience managing or mentoring junior team members.

• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite. Experience with digital asset management systems is a plus.

Hourly/Salary

$115,000.00 - $225,000.00 Salary o Benefits include: Bonus eligible (depending on role), Paid Time Off, Employee Discount, 401(k) and company match, Wellness Reimbursement, Adoption Assistance, free backup care (for kids, pets & the elderly), choice of health insurance plans, company-paid life/AD&D, short and long term disability, a variety of voluntary benefits and an employee assistance program. Benefit offerings are subject to change and vary by role/level for each position. Respective waiting periods may apply to certain benefit offerings.

The Children's Place is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.