About this role
Location: Secaucus, New Jersey Job Summary: The Children's Place and Gymboree are two of North America's most recognized children's apparel brands. The Children's Place brings accessible, everyday style to families across the country, built on a foundation of quality, value and real-life wearability. Gymboree sits alongside it as a more elevated expression of children's fashion, where premium fabrics, refined aesthetics and a distinct brand point of view come together to create clothing that feels as considered as it looks. Together, we dress millions of kids every season. We are building a creative organization that matches the ambition of that mission.
WHY THIS ROLE Great photography is the result of a strong creative vision, disciplined execution and a leader who knows exactly what a brand needs to look like. We created this role to define a clear, elevated, and consistent photographic identity across both brands. In partnership with the Brand Creative Director, the Photo Art Director will shape and uphold that vision. From seasonal concept development and on-set direction to the standards that guide every shoot, this role sets the visual benchmark. This is a director-level role with direct impact on how millions of customers experience both brands every day. Responsibilities: What You Will Do: Creative Direction • Lead on-set photo art direction across all TCP and Gymboree campaigns, seasonal content and ecommerce shoots. • Bring a strong, decisive point of view to every set, with a trained eye for lighting, composition, casting and styling. • Own the creative brief for each shoot, ensuring execution matches the seasonal concept from concept through final selects.
Concept Development • Collaborate with the Brand Creative leadership team on seasonal concept development for both brands. • Translate brand strategy and seasonal direction into a clear photographic vision that works across all channels. • Stay current on visual trends in children's fashion, lifestyle and ecommerce photography.
Brand Standards • Develop and maintain photo standards manuals for TCP and Gymboree as both brands evolve. • Establish and document ecommerce and campaign photography guidelines for on-figure, lifestyle and product imagery. • Ensure visual consistency across all channels including ecommerce, marketing, social and retail.
Production Oversight • Provide creative oversight of the photoshoot plan document in partnership with the Junior Photo Producer. • Review casting options and provide direction on model selects aligned to brand standards and inclusive representation. • Partner with post-production on retouching direction and final image delivery.
Team Leadership • Directly manage the Junior Photo Producer, providing mentorship, clear direction and ongoing development. • Build a collaborative, respectful and high-performing photo creative culture
What You Bring: • 7 or more years of experience in photo art direction within fashion retail, apparel or a closely related category. • A strong portfolio demonstrating brand-building campaigns, ecommerce and editorial work across diverse talent. • Deep knowledge of photography production from pre-production through on-set execution and post-production. • A trained eye for casting that reflects inclusive, diverse and authentic representation. • Experience developing or maintaining photo standards, style guides or brand photography guidelines. • Strong communication skills and comfort presenting creative direction to cross-functional partners and senior leadership. • Experience managing or mentoring junior team members. • Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite. Experience with digital asset management systems is a plus.
Hourly/Salary
$115,000.00 - $225,000.00 Salary

o Benefits include: Bonus eligible (depending on role), Paid Time Off, Employee Discount, 401(k) and company match, Wellness Reimbursement, Adoption Assistance, free backup care (for kids, pets & the elderly), choice of health insurance plans, company-paid life/AD&D, short and long term disability, a variety of voluntary benefits and an employee assistance program. Benefit offerings are subject to change and vary by role/level for each position. Respective waiting periods may apply to certain benefit offerings. The Children's Place is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.