Director Discussions
Layoffs

I was laid off recently and am looking for another Art Director position. The problem I’m facing is that I went from Jr. Art Director to Art Director after only 9 months and most of the Art Director

What exactly does VP mean? Contractual obligation, reports to President? Can’t get fired?
What are pros and cons if any of a position like VP Creative Director, etc.

Awkward scenario of the day: you and your colleague have know for weeks your colleague has a target on her back and will most likely be laid off. In your 230pm 1:1 your director ells you that (cont.)

Have you ever fired a director from a project?

Anyone have the inside scoop on MediaCom? Currently a director on the tech side of the world. Considering a company change. Too many layoffs and people leaving my current company. Depressing.

Laid off and come to find out much of it was because a director under me sold me out. And I really tried my best to help him but after 3 months I felt blindsided. Why does this industry suck?

My agency had layoffs & told an AS that they “support” him changing his own title to Account Director for job searching purposes. He’s been an AS for 3yrs here+5yrs prev job. Should I say something??

Recently got a raise (putting me at 68k). Turned down an offer for 75k to stick it out and company said they can’t match. Management sup was laid off. Account director just quit. Need more $$. ADVICE?

Who's the first creative director to get fired due to to sexual harassment, post-Weinstein?

Dear fellow swimmers- Just got laid off as Account Director and am looking for new position in Chicago. Appreciate leads you can share - and am happy to connect confidentially. Am a single mom.

Got a mysterious invite with a senior director to "catch-up" on Friday.....thinking they're going to let me go. Anyone know what sort of severance package I can expect? It's been an amazing 2 yrs

FBI director Comey is fired by Trump. This one concerns me. Discuss.

FBI director Comey is fired by Trump.

An awkward awkward moment that turned nice...My engagement director pulls up "Deb's article about layoffs" on projector and ask the team, is your experience the same? I was like tbh, (contd)

Utilization director told me today that the layoffs won't affect me. My heart goes out to everyone that had to hear otherwise. Here's to hoping y'all find something better and prosper.

Got a meeting invite for a performance update from a director... It sounds like I'm getting laid off?!

So, just sent a client a proposal with the estimated hours that do not add up.... CC'd 2 partners and a director.... Then had to resend the proposal with the right numbers: getting fired tomorrow:(

Two stories I want updated on: 1:McKinsey guy sleeping with client and getting fired & 2: PwC guy punching a director. Common people, I need to know!

Is my husband getting fired? Tonight he got a meeting invite with his bosses boss and an HR director. Meeting is titled “critical business update” my HR gut thinks this is a termination meeting. He’s had a hard last month or two with work due to some circumstances out of his control. He isn’t on a PIP or anything formal, but his boss did have a recent verbal chat about performance. He’s a software engineer for context.

Has anyone here everyone stood up for themselves or someone else on a internal call with their director/partner? Like if they were bullying someone? Curious to see what happened after or if that is something that can get you fired. Our director is a bully to others and if they ever come at me I’m going to stand up for myself but wondering if breaking the professional boundary is worth it.

Why do I always feel like I’m about to be fired ? Talking to my director gives me such anxiety (I feel like she’s always looking at flaws)

Should Severance packages be included in total comp discussions? What amount of time, if any, is acceptable for a Director level role? What amount of time, if any is acceptable for a VP level role?

At Deloitte now. laid off last year while on medical leave. Landed a new job with the help of a senior mentor and vouched for me not knowing my medical limitations. I just had to take sick leave again on the first project out of the gate. Dr is recommending 40 hours a week which will not fit the requirements of my director role. I feel like I need to switch roles to a non client facing role to be realistic in my health limitations. How do I make the switch and have the convo with w my mentor?

Any funny Glow Ups? This person in my previous company/local office got fired as an associate and everyone talked about how awful she was & generally didn’t treat her well — later on she’s a director at one of their key accounts. Watch out who you treat like dirt.

I have been in the industry for ~ 20 years, career slowed down when I went part time to raise a family and care for aging parents and when I moved to Milwaukee, I took a demotion. I was part of Covid layoffs and have been applying for an Account Director role. When I looked on LinkedIn, the company has a lot of young people at VP level. How do I negotiate for that after the fact? What does VP mean at your company?

My old agency is soon going to be releasing work that was originally my art director and my idea - got laid off during COVID. It probably has changed since we left, but can we still ask to have our names on the project?

In the process of negotiating an offer in hand at F100 medical manufacturing company as a senior director. Is negotiating severance into the employment contract standard? If so, what is typical?

As many of us navigate the challenges of negotiating during Covid layoffs, my question is what do you think is a good, fair and realistic salary for an independent agency to offer a Creative Director with 10+ years of experience in metro Detroit, considering the current economic climate?

Can someone please refer me to a Labor Lawyer in NYC? A coworker got laid off without a warning or evaluation process, just because our creative director had personal issues with her. We think she has a case. She’s a great creative and deserve justice.

Agency has seen a lot of turnover due to layoffs and departures. How much notice would you expect a group creative director to give with that context?

I’ve applied to over 40 jobs since I was laid off in March. Not one click to my portfolio, per analytics. With a family of four, we are being spread thin. Not only is the income desperately needed, but my creative soul needs a release. I would be happy to do typical Art Director work but I’m “over qualified” for that and am never taken seriously when applying for work below CD/ACD. If anyone needs or know of any company needing freelance work, large or small—I’d really appreciate the lead. 🙏

In house peeps: I’m interviewing for an in house director of communications role at a tech startup in NYC. I have almost 20 years of experience and worked at top tier national agencies. Before I was laid off I was making $250k. What is reasonable to expect for salary given the current environment?

The worst part of working overtime right after the longest tax season of your life is your spouse getting pissed at you for working. I’m a tax manager who has been the acting tax Director since my firm fired our last Director the week before Christmas. Work has been hell for the last 7 months and now on top of everything else, I’m in charge of payroll (we fired our payroll department in January but still kept like 25 clients for fun) and returns are due Friday. I’m depressed and exhausted.

Layoffs at VSA Partners today in Chicago and NYC. 25 people. Don't worry, though, because almost all of the director level and execs didn't get cut! Phew! Only largely senior level designers!

(Yes, being sarcastic.)

Wife has just been laid off from Deloitte. Anyone in the NYC area hiring for a director of cyber strategy focusing on threat intel? She also has too-secret clearance.

I’m a 2nd year business analyst on H1B looking for opportunities. About to be laid off and struggling to get any leads or referrals. I’ve worked with Lifesciences and Tech clients and lead workstreams to collaborate with director level leadership for implementation projects. I also have experience in change management and project management roles. Would anyone be willing to help in this situation? I’m looking for opportunities in Bay Area that sponsor visa. [cont in comments]