Art Director

About zooom

Zooom is a dynamic full-service communications agency, distinguished by its innovative approaches, creative expertise, and global presence. With offices in Salzburg, Los Angeles, and Tokyo, we create brand experiences and communication solutions for leading companies such as Red Bull, Panasonic, Yodobashi, and many more across Japan and international markets.

Our expertise? Adventure sports, imaging, renewable energy, culinary delights, dream destinations, and everything that makes people fit, inspired, and beautiful. Combining European design discipline with the creativity and cultural insight of Asia, we develop ideas that connect brands with audiences around the world.

Position overview: Art Director

Zooom Japan is looking for a hands-on Art Director to join our Tokyo studio and create bold visual experiences for Japanese and international brands across adventure, imaging, travel, technology, lifestyle, and beyond.

You will lead the creative vision and visual development of brand communication projects from concept through delivery, guiding teams and shaping design solutions that support brand objectives.

You will develop creative concepts, visual directions, campaigns, and design systems across digital, print, social media, retail, film, events, and other marketing touchpoints. Acting as a creative leader and mentor, you will collaborate closely with designers, project managers, clients, and external partners to transform strategic ideas into compelling visual experiences.

The role requires strong design judgment, strategic thinking, bilingual communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple creative projects simultaneously in an international agency environment.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and lead creative concepts, visual directions, mood boards, campaign ideas, and design systems
• Translate brand strategies into clear, engaging, and effective visual communication
• Lead creative development for brand campaigns, product launches, social media content, presentations, visual identities, and marketing materials
• Guide designers and creative team members through feedback, direction, and quality control
• Review and refine layouts, designs, storyboards, presentations, and final deliverables
• Ensure all creative output aligns with brand identity, project objectives, target audiences, and market context
• Collaborate with project managers, clients, and stakeholders to define creative scope, timelines, deliverables, and production requirements
• Oversee creative execution from initial concept development through final delivery
• Present creative concepts and strategic thinking clearly in client meetings, workshops, pitches, and presentations
• Stay current with design trends, cultural insights, emerging technologies, and AI-supported creative workflows What we're looking for

• 6+ years of relevant experience in art direction, creative direction, branding, design, or a related creative field
• Fluent in Japanese and English, with the ability to communicate effectively across cultures and departments
• A strong portfolio of recent creative work demonstrating experience in art direction, branding, campaigns, and visual communication
• Strong understanding of branding, visual systems, digital communication, and marketing design
• Ability to manage multiple creative projects simultaneously in a fast-paced international environment
• Proven experience leading creative projects, campaigns, and brand communication initiatives
• Professional-level experience with Adobe Creative Suite and other relevant creative tools
• Professional-level experience with AI tools and their application in creative workflows Language Requirements

• Business-level Japanese (BJT J1 or J1+ or native).
• Proficiency in English (minimum TOEIC 850). Employment Details

• Full-time position with office attendance required. Hybrid models are negotiable.
• Mild business travel may be required.
• English-speaking, international environment with over 8 nationalities.
• New design office with latest technology in walking distance to Harajuku
• Salary: Negotiable based on ability, experience, and internal regulations. Please include your salary expectations.
• Commuting costs compensation.
• 20 days paid vacation + New Year holidays. Application Requirements

• Candidates can apply from: Japan only
• Please attach your portfolio with recent works to your application.

If you’re ready to make an impact and join a team that values excellence and innovation, we’d love to hear from you!

Your Journey

INTERNSHIP

Join us for several months as part of your studies and learn on the job working in one of the teams. It could be in design, events or communications. It’s a great chance to gain valuable experience.

JUNIOR

Your first step on the career ladder! This is the entry position for graduates looking to get started. You’ll be working on big projects right from the start and learning fast as you progress.

PRO

This is where the magic happens. You could be an account manager, graphic designer, videographer. You already have some experience and now you’re working directly with our global sports, lifestyle and photography clients.

SENIOR

You’re a great motivator and thrive on taking the lead, driving projects through from concept to completion, giving direction and sharing knowledge, while developing your own experience.

LEAD

Now is the time to help shape creative and strategic vision, for example as Art Director, Head of Communications or Content Creation. You’re already an experienced leader, full of ideas and ready to take on full responsibility.

TEAM LEAD

The most senior leadership role – you’ll be working directly with the CEO, leading and managing a department and working on budgets, planning, strategy development, business opportunities and human resources.

For me, it’s the people at zooom who make this workplace truly special and inspiring. My goal is to find talented professionals who will enrich and complement this unique environment. Ready to be part of it?

Ildiko Fabian-Toth, People Operations Manager

+436226884813

jobs(at)zooom.com