Associate Director - Creative

Careem; Dubai; On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Careem is seeking an Associate Director of Creative to lead its visual direction across platforms. This role involves overseeing a team of 15 creatives, shaping the brand's identity, and driving innovative campaigns using AI tools. Join a leading tech brand to make a meaningful impact in the region.

Benefits

30 days of unlimited vacation

Healthcare and fitness reimbursements

Work 4 days a week in-office & 1 day remote

Qualifications

• 10+ years in design and art direction, with at least 3 in senior creative leadership.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating world-class design, campaigns, and storytelling.
• Experience leading and scaling creative teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and elevate Careem’s visual identity and design systems.
• Develop insight-driven creative campaigns.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team.

Skills

Art Direction

Design

Visual Storytelling

Team Management

Creative Leadership

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

Figma

After Effects

AI Platforms

Job description

Careem is building the Everything App for the greater Middle East, making it easier than ever to move around, order food and groceries, manage payments, and more. Careem is led by a powerful purpose to simplify and improve the lives of people and build an organization that inspires. Since 2012, Careem has created earnings for over 2.5 million Captains, simplified the lives of over 70 million customers, and built a platform for regional talent and entrepreneurs. Careem operates in over 70 cities across 10 countries, from Morocco to Pakistan.

About the Role

Careem seeks a visionary Associate Director of Creative to lead our brand's visual direction across all platforms and services. This role is central to Careem’s in-house Creative Studio, overseeing a team of 15 creatives in design, brand, film, and motion.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on creative leader with expertise in art direction and design, a keen eye for visual storytelling, and a proven record of impactful brand work. You will shape the visual identity of Careem’s masterbrand, individual services, and lead high-impact branding initiatives such as the Careem Foundation and Captain branding, ensuring coherence, originality, and emotional resonance across all touchpoints.
A passionate creative with bold ideas and a commitment to producing standout work.

This role offers a unique opportunity to drive creativity and innovation at a leading tech brand and to pioneer the use of AI tools for scalable, high-quality content creation.

What you’ll do

1. Creative Leadership: Define and elevate Careem’s visual identity and design systems across all brands and services.
2. Conceptual Thinking: Develop insight-driven creative campaigns that deliver strong business results and compete on a global stage.
3. Team Management: Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of designers, art directors, motion artists, and content creators.
4. Art Direction: Guide the look and feel of campaigns and content across platforms, setting high standards for execution.
5. Design Oversight: Ensure all visual content aligns with Careem’s brand principles, from campaign visuals to UI and motion graphics.
6. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with product, marketing, communications, and growth teams to bring strategic initiatives to life through creative work.
7. AI Innovation: Promote the use of generative AI tools (e.g., image generation, video scripting) to enhance productivity and creativity.
8. Quality Control: Final review of all creative outputs to ensure quality, consistency, and impact.
9. Brand Stewardship: Maintain and evolve Careem’s brand, balancing global consistency with local relevance.

What you’ll need

1. 10+ years in design and art direction, with at least 3 in senior creative leadership.
2. Strong portfolio demonstrating world-class design, campaigns, and storytelling across brand, digital, and film.
3. Experience leading and scaling creative teams, preferably in in-house studios or top agencies.
4. Deep understanding of visual systems, typography, color, layout, and motion principles.
5. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, After Effects, and AI platforms like Midjourney, Runway, Adobe Firefly.
6. Excellent taste, attention to detail, and ability to balance craft with scalability.
7. Effective communicator and strategic thinker, comfortable presenting to senior stakeholders.
8. Passion for impactful brands and the power of creativity to influence culture and growth.

Why Join Us?

Creative Studio at Careem

Join Careem Creative Studio, our full-service in-house agency, home to top regional creative talent. We combine the culture, ambition, and craft of a top agency with the inside access and business proximity of an in-house team.

We create work that moves fast, makes an impact, and shapes the visual identity of a leading tech brand in the region, from brand launches to campaigns and experiences.

Our work has received top honors, including:

• Dubai Lynx Grand Prix, Gold, Silver, Bronze 2025
• Dubai Lynx Silver 2024
• Transform Awards Grand Prix, Gold, Silver 2024

If you’re passionate about bold creativity and meaningful impact, this is the place to elevate your career.

What we’ll provide you

We support your growth and impact in the region. As a full-time Careem employee, you can:

• Collaborate with inspiring colleagues and learn from great minds.
• Contribute to a purposeful organization creating regional impact.
• Explore continuous learning and growth opportunities.
• Work 4 days a week in the office & 1 day remote, with 30 days of unlimited vacation, or in tech roles, 2 days in-office and 3 remote.
• Benefit from healthcare and fitness reimbursements.