Manager, CGI Art Director - Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn Teen

About the role:

The Manager, CGI/AI Art Director role drives the look, feel, and execution of photorealistic product imagery across CGI, AI, and in-studio digital photography. This role translates business needs into compelling visual content that enhances customer engagement and drives revenue.

You will lead high-volume Photo-AI-driven image production while contributing to CGI and digital photography initiatives. Success requires a highly organized, process and detail-oriented creative leader who thrives in structured workflows, maintains accuracy at speed, and operates within defined brand production standards.

Working cross-functionally, you will translate creative direction into consistent, on-brand photorealistic imagery across ecommerce and digital channels. This includes prompt development, image refinement, scene direction, asset management, quality assurance, and workflow optimization. A strong foundation in interiors, architecture, photography, lighting, composition, decorating, and emerging AI-driven creative tools is essential.

Responsibilities:

Photo Art Direction & Visual Execution:

Provide art direction, interior design, and styling of room scenes for photorealistic photo, CGI/rendering, and AI image outputs (architecture; interior/exterior environments; materials; composition; lighting; propping; window scenes; crops; post-production; color temperature; retouching direction; etc.)

Translate art direction into structured AI prompts to produce consistent, on-brand imagery for high-volume single- and multi-SKU needs

Generate, review, refine, version, and QA AI, CGI, and photographic imagery with extreme attention to detail

Ensure assets are presented and shared in final and intended crops

Maintain full ownership and responsibility for assets produced on-set and digitally, contributing to end-to-end planning, execution, and post-production

Coordinate prop and product pairings with Art Direction and Styling teams; edit, make shot direction calls, approve selects, oversee lighting and retouching notes

Provide feedback and direction during collaborative reviews, proofing, and QA processes

Ensure strict adherence to brand standards, style guides, and visual guidelines

Develop and maintain Photo / CGI / AI visual standards for lighting, composition, and room environments by product category

AI & Production Workflow Support:

Support high-volume AI image production within structured workflows

Maintain highly organized file structures, naming conventions, tracking documents, and asset libraries

Build and contribute to Photo / CGI / AI libraries (models, materials, scenes, props) and optimize asset reuse strategies

Identify inconsistencies or production challenges and proactively recommend solutions

Refine Photo / CGI / AI pipeline workflows, tools, and processes

Support documentation and continuous improvement of processes as efficiencies and learnings are identified

Manage time effectively to meet high-volume production deadlines

Demonstrate strong attention to detail in final outputs

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Collaborate with Creative Operations, Art Direction, Site & Photo Merchant partners, Post-Production, Product Design, and Digital Design teams

Communicate clearly cross-functionally to ensure assets are compelling, on-brand, on-deadline, and efficiently project-managed

Project manage delivery schedules and milestones for creative development, modeling/rendering, image outputs, and production timelines

Collaborate with product designers, photography, post-production, and merchant teams for asset approvals

Attend corporate creative meetings to maintain alignment with business goals and creative direction

Recruit, direct, and/or mentor third-party CGI/AI vendors and artists as needed

Proactively identify talent or resource gaps that may affect quality or delivery

Research & Creative Development:

Research and compile inspiration/references for Photo, CGI, Render, and AI creative planning

Research photography, styling, interiors, art/design trends, talent, vendors, and best-in-class partners

Stay current on emerging AI tools, creative technologies, and competitive landscape

Bring cost-effective creative ideas and solutions while supporting asset development and brand growth

Contribute to the development and maintenance of style guides, creative tools, and visual strategy

Demonstrate strong storytelling and narrative capability in visual execution

Criteria:

Bachelor’s degree in Art / Design

2–5+ years working in 3D photorealistic imaging; experience managing CG creative and/or production teams is a plus

Professional experience in photography, CGI design, rendering, or AI-generated imagery with a portfolio emphasizing interior design, home furnishings, and/or architecture

Strong understanding of photo art direction, CGI/rendering, and AI image creation

Experience in photorealistic rendering and digital image creation using CG software (AutoCAD, 3DS Max, Maya, Blender, etc.) and rendering tools (Vray, Octane, Corona, FStormRender) is a plus or AI tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, Midjourney, etc.)

Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Airtable, and file management systems. Figma knowledge is a plus

Experience in model and material preparation for rendering and all pre- and post-rendering tasks

On-set photography and studio experience a plus (production planning, prop sourcing, lighting, post-production workflows)

Experience working with high-volume asset development and management

Demonstrated success developing and refining processes within an organization

Excellent people and project management skills

Strong organizational skills, time management, and ability to multitask and prioritize

Ability to balance creative excellence with business goals and ecommerce objectives

Strong understanding of what inspires customer purchase decisions and required visual information for ecommerce

Macro-to-micro thinking: able to understand big-picture digital strategy while executing daily creative tasks

Strong understanding of architecture, interiors, decorating, materials, lighting, and composition

High taste level, discerning eye, and advanced artistic sensibilities in interior design composition, lighting, texture, and color

Ability to work with urgency in a fast-paced, reactive environment

Process-oriented, solution-driven mindset with strong attention to detail

Agile and adaptable in an evolving content creation landscape

This role requires being onsite in the Richmond Photo Studio

Key Attributes:

Highly organized, detail-driven, and process-oriented

Agile and adaptable while maintaining accuracy

Collaborative, communicative, and team-focused

Entrepreneurial spirit with innovation and creativity

Professionalism, maturity, emotional intelligence, and empathy

Strong sense of ownership and accountability

Passion for design, interiors, art, and storytelling

Excitement about AI and emerging creative technologies

Drive for personal growth and inspiring others

Commitment to helping customers express their style and tell their story at home

Our Culture & Values We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We prioritize connection, growth, and wellbeing.

People First Putting People First means investing in overall well-being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization. Depending on the position and location, here are a few highlights of what benefits may be available:

Benefits A generous discount on all WSI brands A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits Tax-free commuter benefits A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health

Continued Learning In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities Resources for self-development Advisor (Mentor) program Career development workshops, learning programs, and speaker series

WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration).

This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.

The expected starting pay range for this position is $120,000- $130,000. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.

Our Company

Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home in the United States. Our family of brands are Williams Sonoma, Williams Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, Rejuvenation, West Elm, Mark & Graham, Outward, and GreenRow. These brands are among the best known and most respected in the industry. We offer beautifully-designed, stylish and functional products for every area of the home, including the kitchen, living room, bedroom, home office, closet, laundry room and even outdoor spaces. We've seen some big changes since our first brick-and-mortar store opened more than half of a century ago. What hasn't changed is our passion for high-quality products, functional design, outstanding customer service, and enhancing the lives of our customers and the communities where we operate. Today, we're a multi-brand, multi-channel, global enterprise supported by state-of-the-art technology and some of the most talented teams in retailing - and we're always looking for new energy and ideas.