Art Director

About KREWE

KREWE is an independent luxury eyewear label inspired by the culture and creative spirit of New Orleans, with headquarters in both New Orleans and New York City. Founded in 2013, the brand is known for handcrafted sun and optical frames that combine quality, individuality, and thoughtful design.

In 2022, KREWE opened its New York headquarters in the Meatpacking District, creating a second base that carries the energy of New Orleans into a major global design hub. The company now operates through physical boutiques, mobile retail experiences, a growing online business, and distribution via select independent and national retail partners. Its distinctive design approach has earned a dedicated following among style-minded customers and tastemakers.

KREWE is a fast-moving, collaborative, and purpose-driven workplace where team members are trusted to take ownership and make meaningful contributions. The company is seeking people who are ambitious, creative, and excited to help build something original and culturally rooted with broad appeal.

Role Overview

KREWE is hiring an Art Director to lead the brand’s creative strategy and visual authorship across every channel. This person will work closely with the Founder & Creative Director to shape the overall creative direction, while also bringing fresh concepts, original thinking, and strong point of view that help move the brand forward.

The role is focused on turning creative standards into practical, reusable frameworks so the team can work with more clarity, consistency, and independence. It is designed to raise the overall quality of creative work across the business while reducing dependence on top-level oversight.

This position combines creative leadership with hands-on execution and calls for strong taste, clear judgment, and the ability to transform ideas into systems that scale. The ideal candidate can guide a creative team, give useful structure, and maintain high standards without slowing momentum. The role reports to the VP of Brand Marketing and is based in New York City, with regular travel to New Orleans.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the brand’s creative direction and develop concepts in partnership with the Founder & Creative Director.
• Bring forward campaign ideas, visual directions, and creative frameworks that evolve the brand.
• Define a clear and differentiated creative perspective for each campaign and brand moment.
• Develop, refine, and resolve ideas rather than only producing executional work.
• Make decisive creative choices that simplify the output and strengthen the final result.
• Oversee the quality and consistency of creative work across photography, video, digital, social, print, out-of-home, and retail channels.
• Convert strategy into clear direction so the team can execute with confidence and autonomy.
• Review, edit, and elevate all creative output to ensure it meets brand standards.
• Build systems, workflows, and creative frameworks that make execution more efficient and scalable.
• Create defined creative lanes that give the team room to work independently.
• Reduce approval bottlenecks by building clarity into the process.
• Partner with the Project Manager to improve processes that support high-quality delivery at scale.
• Continuously refine how the team works without sacrificing standards.
• Direct creative production for campaigns, photoshoots, and major brand moments.
• Provide on-set creative guidance and ensure the work aligns with the intended vision.
• Balance active creative involvement with broader leadership responsibility.
• Manage, coach, and develop designers, photographers, and other creatives.
• Improve team output through strong taste, constructive feedback, and thoughtful decision-making.
• Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and high creative standards.

Requirements

• 8 to 10+ years of experience in art direction or creative leadership, ideally in fashion, lifestyle, or retail.
• A portfolio that shows refined taste, a distinct point of view, and concept-led work.
• Strong ability to develop ideas and turn them into cohesive, high-quality creative output.
• Experience collaborating closely with founders or senior creative leaders.
• Excellent editing instincts, with the ability to identify what should be advanced, refined, or removed.
• Proven ability to convert creative standards into repeatable systems and processes.
• Experience leading and developing creative teams.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in both planning and execution.
• Deep understanding of design, photography, video, and best practices across channels.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma.

Benefits and Perks

• Competitive compensation.
• Medical, vision, and dental coverage through group health plans.
• Life insurance, AD&D coverage, and supplemental voluntary benefits.
• FSA plan and HSA program.
• 401(k) investment options.
• Adoption support, employee assistance program, and commuter benefits.
• Paid parental leave.
• Quarterly cultural spending allowance.
• Ongoing learning and development support, including an education allowance.
• 10 paid holidays plus paid time off accrual.
• Quarterly KREWE frame allowance for employees.
• Annual bonuses, company benefits, paid time off, and employee discounts may also apply.

Compensation

The New York salary range is up to $165,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications. Final compensation may vary based on skills, experience, certifications, and business needs.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

KREWE is committed to an inclusive workplace and provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants. The company does not discriminate or retaliate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Additional Information

This role is based in New York City and requires regular travel to New Orleans.