Associate Creative Director (Art)

McCANN Canada; Toronto; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

McCann Canada is seeking an Associate Creative Director (ACD) Art Director to lead, inspire, and deliver award-worthy, integrated advertising across national and global brands. You will mentor art directors, writers, and designers while partnering with the ACD Copywriter and Creative Director to craft compelling concepts.

You’ll manage client relationships, present ideas with clarity, and drive creative strategy from concept through execution.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in a fast-paced ad agency.
• Strong understanding of how strategy informs brand messaging and creative.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to present and negotiate with clients while maintaining creative integrity.
• Experience leading and managing teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop ideas and concepts for integrated advertising campaigns.
• Create and direct award-worthy work, ensuring quality of content and execution.
• Serve as a creative leader others look to for direction and solutions.
• Develop and present creative concepts with passion and clarity.
• Play a key role in brand planning, creative development, and on-strategy initiatives.
• Bring a fresh approach to day-to-day projects to inspire teams and clients.
• Proactively recommend creative strategies to ensure high-quality, accurate work.
• Collaborate with strategy, production, and account teams to deliver a compelling, single-minded idea.
• Contribute to best practices for creative development.
• Partner with clients and stakeholders to understand needs and communicate solutions effectively.
• Confidently present and sell creative ideas to clients.
• Manage the financial scope of assigned brands, including reviewing scopes, hours, and staffing.
• Identify staffing needs and support recruitment efforts.
• Mentor team members and foster award-winning creative excellence.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and design innovation
• Support creative leadership in the day-to-day operations of the team
• 8+ years of experience in a fast-paced ad agency
• A strong understanding of how strategy informs brand messaging and creative
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Confidence and clarity as a presenter
• The ability to negotiate effectively while maintaining creative integrity
• Strong client relationships built on trust
• Previous experience leading and managing teams

Skills

Leadership

Brand strategy

Creative direction

Client relationship management

Presentation skills

Team leadership

Excellent communication

Mentoring

Job description

You’re an ACD Art Director who can run a project, keep things moving, and still find the extra 10% to make the work great. You’re ideas-first but meticulous about craft. You lead art directors, writers and designers with clarity, and you’ve already got the perfect colourist in mind. You’ll be in our Toronto office working across national and global brands.

In partnership with the ACD Copywriter, this ACD Art Director works closely with the creative team to produce high-quality work for the agency’s clients. Alongside account service representatives, the ACD maintains client contact and presents the team’s creative concepts to client stakeholders. On assigned accounts, they provide leadership to art directors and copywriters in collaboration with the Creative Director. They also work closely with cross-functional teams to deliver and exceed client expectations.

Unafraid to roll up their sleeves, they are a leader who inspires others through action. Someone hellbent on delivering big, famous, and powerful ideas for our brands across multiple platforms. We’re looking for a creative who is forward-thinking and excited about growing business while crafting beautifully integrated work.

What you will do…

• Develop ideas and concepts for integrated advertising campaigns
• Create and direct award-worthy work, ensuring quality of content and execution
• Serve as a creative leader others look to for direction and solutions
• Develop and present creative concepts with passion and clarity
• Play a key role in brand planning, creative development, and on-strategy initiatives
• Bring a fresh approach to day-to-day projects to inspire teams and clients
• Proactively recommend creative strategies to ensure high-quality, accurate work
• Collaborate with strategy, production, and account teams to deliver a compelling, single-minded idea
• Contribute to best practices for creative development
• Partner with clients and stakeholders to understand needs and communicate solutions effectively
• Confidently present and sell creative ideas to clients
• Manage the financial scope of assigned brands, including reviewing scopes, hours, and staffing
• Identify staffing needs and support recruitment efforts
• Mentor team members and foster award-winning creative excellence
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and design innovation
• Support creative leadership in the day-to-day operations of the team
• 8+ years of experience in a fast-paced ad agency
• A strong understanding of how strategy informs brand messaging and creative
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Confidence and clarity as a presenter
• The ability to negotiate effectively while maintaining creative integrity
• Strong client relationships built on trust
• Previous experience leading and managing teams

The salary range for this position is $110,000 - $150,000 per year. Compensation will be determined based on qualifications, relevant experience, and internal equity.

McCann Canada uses artificial intelligence in our recruitment process to enhance job postings and streamline the screening and selection of prospective candidates. Our team will then review top applicants, ensuring that human judgement guides our hiring decision.

This posting represents an active vacancy that we are currently hiring for.

The Company

McCann Canada is committed to a diverse workforce as an Employment Equity employer (Women, People with Disabilities, Aboriginal Peoples, and Visible Minorities) and aims to maintain an inclusive and equitable workplace where employees feel valued, respected, and supported. If you require an accommodation, we would be happy to work with you to meet your needs.