Manager - Copy
Job Description
Major Activities
Team Leadership
- Lead, inspire, motivate and manage team of staff and freelance copywriters as a visible, engaged leader that communicates easily and frequently
- Demonstrate resilience and flexibility in the face of change; model strong core competencies; maintain high morale
- Identify and address barriers to success, escalate appropriately, adjust workload and assignments to meet productivity standards and accommodate changing business needs
- Lead team to stay current in researching creative trends in competitive markets and apply that knowledge and learning to development of new marketing and signage projects
- Research retail copy trends in competitive markets and apply that knowledge and learning to development of new marketing projects
- Recruit talented, high-performing copywriters that consistently deliver brand-right solutions
- Develop talent and leadership succession plan
- Prioritize work effectively to meet team deadlines
- Give constructive feedback to enhance performance and build skills within department
Creative Concept Development
- Guide message development through the entire creative process, from ideation to release.
- Translate business and marketing strategic objectives into clear, compelling, on-brand customer-facing copy
- Lead concept, toolkit and sourcebook development as requested by creative leadership and brand marketing
- Work closely with design partners to architect and implement the overall look and language of customer-facing materials.
- Collaborate with design and marketing partners to create synergy and integration, from concept to execution
Copy Direction
- Oversee all copy team efforts to support digital and print marketing, including online video, social media and digital display ads, email, website marketing, direct mail, brand collateral and signage
- Ensure marketing objectives have been met within creative guidelines
- Effectively interpret and adapt information for marketing initiatives based on briefs, merchant input, internal reports and other supporting documents
- Edit copy team’s work to ensure consistency across channels
- Master and continue development and evolution of Michaels brand voice
- Develop hard-hitting, promotional value messaging for the Michaels brand for all business categories
- Contribute creative input and ideas to creative kick-off and brainstorm meetings
- Write, manage and own high-priority projects as assigned by Copy Director
Communication/Presentation
- Effectively present work to leadership, conveys copy strategy and demonstrates alignment to creative brief
- Align with and act on feedback
- Model strong communication and presentation skills to direct reports, teaching and coaching through modeling, feedback and practice sessions
- Communicate clearly and effectively; address challenges and issues in a timely manner
- Foster strong partnerships with peer managers in Creative Service, Store Environment and Marketing, as well as cross-functional partners
- Prepare for and actively participate in department meetings
- Present work to senior leadership, effectively communicating creative strategy
Other duties as assigned
Minimum Education
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
Minimum Special Certifications or technical skills
- Expert working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Suite
Minimum Type of experience the job requires
- 5+ year managing / leading copywriters
- 7+ years copywriting experience
- Experience at large in-house creative team or agency
- Retail copywriting experience, preferred — samples require
- Portfolio demonstrating creative and strategic strength
Other
- Digital, social media, video and print expertise
- Strategic, conceptual thinking, strong organizational skills, accuracy and deadline focused with a bias for action when it comes to problem analysis, decision making and issue resolution
- Detail oriented
- Able to juggle multiple projects while meeting demanding deadlines, producing high quality work and projecting a positive attitude
- Strong self-manager with ability to work at high level of independence
Applicants in the U.S. must satisfy federal, state, and local legal requirements of the job.
At The Michaels Companies Inc., our purpose is to fuel the joy of creativity and celebration. As the leading destination for creating and celebrating in North America, we operate over 1,300 stores in 49 states and Canada and online at Michaels.com and Michaels.ca. The Michaels Companies, Inc. also owns Artistree, a manufacturer of custom and specialty framing merchandise. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Irving, Texas, Michaels is the best place for all things creative. For more information, please visit www.michaels.com.
At Michaels, we prioritize the wellbeing of our teams by providing robust benefits for both full-time and part-time Team Members. Our benefits include health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), paid time off, tuition assistance, generous employee discounts, and much more. For more information, visit www.michaels.com.
Michaels is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are here for all Team Members and all customers to create, innovate and be better together.
Michaels is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with this commitment, Michaels will assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if a reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the job, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Customer Care at 1-800-642-4235 (1800-MICHAEL).
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