Principal, Art Direction - GenAI at DEPT®

United States

$154.7k - $200k

WHY DEPT®? We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA. We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter. At DEPT®, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build. THE ROLE: The Principal, Art Direction - Generative AI is an AI-native creative with exceptional visual taste, refined creative judgment, and a deep understanding of emerging generative image workflows. This is a senior individual contributor role sitting at the intersection of art, creative technology, and production. You are responsible for transforming creative direction and campaign concepts into visually sophisticated assets using AI image generation tools while maintaining an exceptional standard of craft, consistency, and creative integrity. You will partner closely with Creative Directors, Art Directors, Designers, Copywriters, and Motion teams to help bring campaign ideas to life through high-quality AI-generated imagery. While this role is primarily focused on visual development, we are looking for someone who is collaborative, creatively curious, and excited to contribute to the broader creative process through exploration, experimentation, and visual thinking. You are not simply generating assets. You are crafting visually compelling creative that feels intentional, elevated, and culturally relevant. The ideal candidate understands both the possibilities and limitations of generative AI and knows how to guide outputs toward intentional, brand-right creative. You have a sharp eye for composition, lighting, styling, realism, and visual storytelling, and you are obsessed with the details that separate good work from exceptional work. This is a remote role but you must be open to working EST hours daily. WHAT YOU’LL DO: Generate visually sophisticated AI-driven creative across performance campaigns and innovation work while maintaining a high bar for craft and originality. Translate creative briefs into compelling visual outputs across a range of aesthetics, including photoreal, conceptual, graphic, product, lifestyle, and experimental imagery. Rapidly prototype, iterate, and refine assets based on creative feedback, platform needs, and campaign objectives. Use ChatGPT image generation tools to create scalable visual content systems, campaign assets, conceptual explorations, and production-ready creative. Art direct and refine outputs with a strong understanding of composition, typography, lighting, styling, realism, motion, pacing, and visual storytelling. Partner closely with Creative Directors, Designers, Motion teams, and Producers to ensure all outputs align with brand standards and campaign vision. Refine and elevate outputs through compositing, retouching, editing, upscaling, and post-production workflows where needed. Continuously evaluate emerging OpenAI tools, workflows, and creative trends to help evolve the agency’s AI capabilities and creative standards. Contribute to a culture of experimentation, curiosity, and visual excellence across the broader creative organization. Help identify opportunities for scalable AI-assisted production workflows without sacrificing creative quality or craft. WHAT YOU BRING: 5+ years of experience in design, digital art, content creation, visual storytelling, or integrated campaign production within an agency, studio, or high-growth brand environment. A portfolio demonstrating exceptional visual taste, strong conceptual instincts, and high-level execution across digital, social, brand, motion, or campaign work. Deep experience using ChatGPT image generation professionally within creative workflows. Strong understanding of modern visual culture, photography, design systems, motion aesthetics, internet culture, and emerging creative trends. Advanced proficiency in Figma and AI-assisted creative workflows. The ability to rapidly iterate while maintaining a premium level of craft and consistency across high-volume outputs. Comfort operating in fast-moving environments with shifting priorities, quick-turn feedback cycles, and tight timelines. Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate creative rationale and visual decisions to internal teams and creative leadership. Curiosity around emerging technologies and excitement for helping shape the future of AI-enabled creativity. WHAT DO WE OFFER? We are a collaborative, open-door, best-idea-wins environment that fosters personal and company growth and has fun doing it. Here is a snapshot of our benefits package: Healthcare, Dental, and Vision coverage 401k plan, plus matching PTO Paid Company Holidays Parental Leave WE SUPPORT YOU BEING YOU: DEPT® is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We believe our work is its best when our people feel safe and free to be themselves. We’re committed to an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process and workplace, regardless of anyone’s identity, background, beliefs, lifestyle or disabilities. So tell us about any accommodations you need. It’s totally confidential and only used to make sure you feel fully supported at every step. DEPT® participates in E-Verify, meaning your Form I-9 information will be sent to the federal government to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S. We are a B Corp-certified company passionate about purpose-driven work. Our hope is that you can feel good about the contributions DEPT® is making to the world and we always have an open door for your ideas in making the world a better place. DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention across Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data. We’re 50|50 tech and marketing, partner-led, and first to move. Clients include Google, Lufthansa, Coach, eBay, and OpenAI. Learn more about DEPT® DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine. We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us. Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here. #LI-Remote The anticipated salary range for this position is listed below. Salary is based on a range of factors that include relevant experience, expertise, physical location, and organizational impact. This is based on a 40-hour workweek and leveling. Keep in mind, we’re flexible. US Remote Range $154,700—$200,000 USD