Dear Desis,
This is a great opportunity in Geneva to lead the operations of Unesco studio from geneva. I know the headhunters and could push for you if i find the right candidate.
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1. POSITION TITLE Director Studio and Promotions
2. CLIENT UNICEF - Private Sector Division -
Characteristics Our client is the world´ s largest non – profit organization involved in helping the children of the world. The organization is instrumental in saving the life of numerous children, mostly in developing countries by conducting several dedicated programs.
The organization has been founded in 1946 by the United Nations and employs about 7000 people in 155 countries and is headquartered both in New York and Geneva.
The organization depends entirely on voluntary contributions and has 2 main sources of funding:
Direct contributions from governments
Income generated by the Private Sector Division (PSD)
Since each dollar invested by UNICEF helps directly children to survive and/or grow up under better circumstances it is one of the objectives of the organization to generate as much money as possible to be able to fund their programs.
For this purpose the Private Sector Division has been founded several years ago and has as its purpose to maximize income from individuals and companies working in close co-operation with 37 National Committees for UNICEF in industrialized countries. The 2 main sources of income are donations/fundraising events and marketing of UNICEF cards and products.
The Private Sector Division The Private Sector Division employs about 230 people worldwide and generated 2005 ~ US$ 1.1 BN (0.9 BN from donations/fundraising events and
0.2 BN from UNICEF cards and products. This group consists already of many professionals from the FMCG industry and has set itself ambitious growth targets for the next five years.
Location Geneva, Switzerland
3. POSITION
Purpose of the Function The Studio and Promotions Officer provides leadership, technical and operational support, art direction and message management for all creative materials produced by the Studio and used by its National Committees, Regional Support Centers and Field Offices in connection with marketing and sales of UNICEF greeting cards and products, whilst maintaining a top line creative alignment with the Chief PDP.
As the leader of the Studio, she/he is in charge of delivering top quality creative solutions for all sales and promotional materials, products and cards developed by the internal PDP teams, and being provided to the National Committees, Regions Support Centers, and Field Offices, to maximize sales and therefore generate net operating income to UNICEF.
Key Responsibilities Leads the creative development of all materials produced by PSD UNICEF.
Leads a team comprising of multi-functional design and art working resources, that will meet the needs of the key stakeholders within the Product Development and Marketing Units in terms of creative solutions for promotional materials, fund raising materials, product packaging, point of sale, business pitch presentations, and through a virtual creative pool support the development of card creative and product graphical design in line with the collection development strategies.
Ensures full involvement of the key stakeholders (owners of the creative briefs) during the creative process from concept to execution.
Ensures that all creative and executional development is done within the parameters and the timing set by the internal business planning cycle.
Ensure that creative development is in line with the Global Brand guidelines. Where necessary seek VP PDP support in exceptions to the global executions accompanied by clear rationale.
Primary Tasks The Incumbent has to:
Develop and keep updated a strategic framework for the creation of all promotional materials for direct mail, retail (including point of sale), and special channel activities, in support of the global sales and marketing strategy. This should define the target groups (who), the offer and the message (what) and the technical specifications (how), including materials, formats, finishes etc.
Ensure that the framework is in line with industry best practices. Ensures regular consultation with key stakeholders (PSD, Division of Communication, Natcoms, Country Offices) in the above defined directions, and ensures that where needed appropriate market research is commissioned to validate recommendations and effectiveness of ongoing campaigns.
Has to link framework to country specific pagination recommendations based on the market profiles e.g. cards and product mix, location and order. Introduce industry standard approaches to profit per page analysis and targets.
Lead the development and establishment of internal processes within the studio to optimize interactions between the Promotional Assistants and the graphic designers and art workers within the studio in order to maximize output.
Lead the development of external processes to optimize the interaction between the studio and the Natcoms, RSCs and Country Offices to ensure that master text is translated accurately and in a timely manner (in line with the business planning cycle). Where necessary ensures through the publicity and promotions officer (P3) an adaptation of the text to meet the needs of the market is achieved in a timely manner.
Establish and manage all quality control system and processes for all promotional materials produced by the studio in Geneva and New York. Define a system of measurement for quality control and subsequent process enhancements. Act as final approver for all materials being issued to print to state that all checking procedures have been followed, and that there is confidence in the accuracy of the material. Share on a monthly basis with the VP PDP the quality metrics for the studio as a whole.
Establish the annual work plan of the Studio and ensures its management and supervision and the professional development of its members via coaching and training.
Identifies operational weaknesses required process changes and training needs for the unit in Geneva and NY.
Visits trade fairs, seminars, forums, professional bodies, and vendors to ensure that the tools and techniques being used as well as the creative output are regarded as being leading edge. Raise the profile of UNICEF as a leading edge organization in the creative circuit (art schools etc.) and through this facilitate recruitment of new creative sources.
Focus on technological advances in the field of design and print. Act as focal point within PDP for all matters technical. Share and discuss with the VP PDP new technologies in the areas of photography, digital print, visualization techniques, proofing, quality control, and translation, etc. Evaluate such technologies in how they can improve our time to market and first time accuracy ratings, and where appropriate provide VP PDP an investment proposal as part of the yearly budget process.
Creates and action a bi-annual customer satisfaction survey with key stakeholders at the National Committee and RSC level. Use this as a method of improving services and communication.
4. CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
Educational Background The future incumbent holds an advanced degree in Art and/or Design from one of the key international universities with focus on product or graphics.
Professional Experience The future incumbent has started his/her career in one of the leading international FMCG companies or within a Market Research Firm. He/she has ideally seen both side and been during his/her more senior years leading the Market Research Department of a major FMCG company.
Functional experience
Minimum 12 years of professional work experience in a creative environment such as a design studio, advertising agency, communications agency or internal design facility for a multi-national private sector company as creative or art director.
Has a proven capability in the area of Art Direction, creative briefs, concept evaluation and validation, and follow through to execution.
Good understanding and experience of the available printing techniques for product packaging, direct mail materials, point of sale materials, and digital printing and proofing techniques
Knowledge and experience of graphical brand management within an international environment as relates to visual communication.
Extensive knowledge and experience in working with direct mail communications to a global audience. Proven experience in point of sale development for the retail channel. Is familiar with consumer profiles and how they impact direct mail campaigns and communication style.
Consolidated experience in directing and supervising large multi-functional and multi-cultural teams.
Age The successful candidate is between 35 and 40 years old
Personality Excellent leadership, analytical, negotiating, communication and project management and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work in an international and multi-cultural environment and excellent team player.
Proven creative skills and versatility. Strong personal interest in global trends.
Proven capability to work under pressure and strict deadlines.
Strong personal interest in cutting –edge global trends.
Strengths/other skills The incumbent acts under their own direction in his/her daily activities and is expected to take initiative, exercise excellent judgment in carrying out his/her responsibilities and in representing UNICEF in front of external vendors and suppliers. Strong individual initiative and innovation is expected.
High level of computer literacy with good knowledge of computer applications and genuine self-sufficiency (PC platform).
Extensive knowledge of the MAC environment in terms of hardware, and software as relates to the creative environment.
Nationality not relevant
Languages A fluency in English and French is required , any additional language would be an advantage
Studio Manager, UNESCO, Based in Geneva. Indians Welcome.
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