Job Description

General Summary

The Art Director is responsible for the on-set art direction, creative execution, and final image output for all e-commerce photography across all digital, retail & key wholesale partners. Reporting to the Senior Art Director, this role oversees the day-to-day visual integrity of all product imagery across DTC and wholesale channels, ensuring assets are elevated, brand-right, and optimized for varying retail environments.

While primarily focused on the Steve Madden brand, this role will also support Betsey Johnson and other portfolio brands across on-figure photography, PDP imagery, styled stills, wholesale assets, and digital creative projects.

The ideal candidate understands the intersection of fashion imagery, digital commerce, and evolving consumer behavior, with the ability to adapt creative execution across multiple brands, retail partners, and customer demographics. This position is based in our LIC office and requires working on-site five days per week.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner closely with senior leadership, to maintain the brand’s e-comm creative direction while leading the day-to-day on-set execution for e-comm photography shoots. Collaborate with photographers, stylists, producers, and digital techs to ensure all imagery aligns with brand standards
• Direct model posing, image sequencing, crop composition, lighting, and overall photo set environment to achieve elevated and consistent digital imagery
• Review image selects and contact sheets, providing feedback on hero imagery, retouching, color correction, cropping, and reshoots when needed
• Manage communication between on-set teams and post-production partners to ensure final assets are delivered accurately and on schedule
• Develop and maintain e-commerce photography standards related to lighting, cropping, retouching, color consistency, and file preparation
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Creative, Marketing, Production, E-Comm / Retail Merchandising, and Design teams to maintain consistency across all customer-facing imagery
• Occasionally support the Marketing Creative team in leading small-scale seasonal trend shoots from creative brief through pre-production, on-set direction, and post-production execution
• Support the Betsey Johnson creative team with monthly e-comm shoots and digital creative needs as needed
• Lead e-comm casting and beauty sourcing in partnership with the production team, maintaining a strong awareness of current industry standards and trends and how they translate to the brand
• Maintain awareness of current fashion, photography, and digital trends while identifying creative solutions in a fast-paced studio environment
• Manage multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining efficiency, organization, and elevated creative standards
• Able to manage multiple projects and deadlines with support and resources as needed
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Photography, Marketing, Graphic Design or related field preferred
• Minimum of 5+ years of art direction or visual design experience within fashion, retail, or lifestyle brands
• Proven experience working within a fast-paced, high-volume studio environment
• Previous experience leading on-set teams and directing e-comm photography shoots required
• Exceptional taste level and strong understanding of imagery and art direction
• Strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in e-comm art direction, digital photography, and digital storytelling
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work quickly and efficiently in a high-growth environment
• Collaborative mindset with excellent communication skills

The expected base salary for this position ranges from $110,000-$130,000. Ranges are based on various factors such as relevant skillset, training, years of experience related to the current job description, education, and our organizational structure. In addition to the base salary, Steve Madden offers a competitive benefits package that includes health and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, 401K, paid holidays, a generous paid time-off policy, and career opportunities within a dynamic team.