Question

Topic: Career/Training

Graphic Titles Over Senior, But Not Director

Posted by mlang on 5/5/2011 at 1:39 PM ET 125 Points
I have a designer who had been promoted to Associate Art Director quite a few years ago who career has stalled. we've been through 2 junior designers and now, feeling it was the experience of the designers we were hiring that set her up for failure, we just hired a senior designer. It's become quite clear she does not have the temperament or managerial/organizational skills to go any further in this direction to everyone but her. the promotion to art director she desperately craves is not onthe table.

To complicate matters - the senior designer we hired has all we would want in a lead designer/director/ manager.

We value our AAD's contributions, longevity and loyalty to our company, however her status of seniority over the other designer is quickly becoming a moot point.

At best they are equals, and it is not unfeasible that the senior designer will take on many of the strategic functions I have assumed and eventually become the managing director of the graphics team.

Are there any other titles out there we can give her the AAD that move away from the "director/manager" connotation but allow her to have a lateral "promotion" without losing face? The status of a title is very important to this person.

Please know that we are fully aware we may need to part ways withthe AAD, but want to explore all our options for a win-win situation before coming to that conclusion.
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RESPONSES

  • Posted on 5/5/2011 at 2:21 PM Accepted
    Senior Design Associate?

    That's the problem with titles. Once you have 'em, people start to look at them as though they have value. And if you change them they feel like you've really disrupted the order of their world.

    The title for this individual probably needs to recognize the loyalty and seniority, but not suggest that there are any managerial or leadership responsibilities. And you probably need to have a frank discussion with this person so there is no misunderstanding about your assessment of what lies ahead.

    This is a tough one. Let us know what you decide to do, and how it works out.
  • Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 5/9/2011 at 7:03 PM Accepted
    I am with mgoodman. You likely need to avoid titles that have manager or director in them, as they denote management. Associate, designer, or artist all could be ending titles.

    Going to be a challenge to change the title, promote someone else above her, etc. without causing bad blood. Large risk you will lose her.
  • Posted by mlang on 5/13/2011 at 8:21 AM Author
    Thanks for the responses. It is a tough dilemma. It would not be the end of the world if we did need to part ways with this designer, but we would like to explore all our options before coming to that decision.
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