Art Director

twentysix; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model with in-office days

Job summary

AKQA Beirut is seeking an Art Director to lead strategy, conception, and design of beautiful ideas and experiences for regional and global clients. You will craft transformative work with a multidisciplinary team across the studio and network.

You’ll drive creative leadership, shape narratives through visuals, and push every frame to be bold, culturally relevant, and end-to-end in scope. Hybrid in-office days apply.

Qualifications

• Portfolio demonstrating high-quality art direction across varied projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead concepts, visuals, and design systems with the energy of a maker and the ambition of a leader.

Skills

Portfolio

Leadership

Presentations

Cultural references

Creativity

Passion

Team lead

Client relationships

Design degree

Adobe Creative Suite

Photography

3D modelling

Education

Degree in Design

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

At AKQA, we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create a better future. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive ideas, services and experiences that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients.

Creatives at AKQA apply artistry and craftsmanship to strategic insight to craft beautiful brands, products, campaigns and experiences that stop people in their tracks. Skilled storytellers, they work in a multidisciplinary environment to unlock new value for our clients.

As an Art Director in Beirut, you’ll play an essential role in the strategy, conception and design of beautiful ideas, experiences, products and more. You’ll use your exceptional creative thought and craft skills to produce transformative work for regional and global clients, working with a team of multidisciplinary creatives within the studio and across the network.

At AKQA you will have access to world-renowned thought leadership from influential authors, athletes, artists and entrepreneurs. You will work in an environment which fosters a meritocratic culture and encourages ownership, and you will be surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

Lead with creative hunger. Drive concepts, visuals, and design systems with the energy of a maker and the ambition of a leader, pushing every idea to be braver, sharper, and more culturally relevant.

Be a storyteller with taste. Shape narratives through visuals, composition, rhythm, and emotion, not just decoration. Every frame, layout, and edit must convey intention, story, and meaning.

Craft with obsession. Whether it's a platform identity, a film, a digital experience, a product UI, or a prototype, treat details like a signature. Your work should feel unmistakably world‑class.

Think beyond the screen. Build ideas that live as acts, installations, products, content ecosystems, and tech‑enabled experiences, not just campaigns. Bring innovation and experimentation into the room naturally.

Make ideas PR‑able by design. Create visuals and concepts that earn cultural attention, not just meet a brief. Understand what travels regionally and globally, and design for impact.

Own the process end‑to‑end. From early sketches to motion tests to production supervision, push the idea through every phase. Know when to be hands‑on and when to lead from altitude.

Collaborate like a modern creative. Work fluidly with writers, strategists, technologists, designers, makers, AI systems, and the broader AKQA network. Seek friction that makes the work stronger.

Elevate the room. Bring energy, references, inspiration, and ideas that push the team forward. Mentor juniors, shape thinking, and help raise the studio's creative temperature.

Challenge the brief, respectfully. Ask the questions others don't. Find the tension, expose the opportunity, and push for the version of the work that truly moves people.

Present with creative conviction. Show work with clarity, story, and craft, helping clients feel the ambition, vision, and emotional intent behind each idea.

Guard the quality. Be accountable for every output. Ensure every visual, layout, prototype, and film frame meets AKQA's global standards and reflects the studio's ambition.

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• You have a compelling portfolio of work that demonstrates high-quality art direction and concepting across a variety of projects.

• Proven creative success working in collaborative, multi‑functional teams.

• Strong information presentation skills, visual and written.

• You have a breadth of cultural reference points.

• You have a drive to break boundaries and craft the best ideas of their kind in the world.

• You are passionate, driven and obsessed about your craft and stay on top of best practice in your field.

• Experience in leading a team and working directly with clients is advantageous.

• A degree in Design, Interaction Design, Visual Studies or other design‑related field preferred.

• Extensive experience using the most common software.

• Experience of nurturing client relationships.

• Appreciated supplementary skills include a passion for photography, 3D modelling and/or digital installations.

We believe great work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach including required in‑office days. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting‑edge media intelligence and data solutions, world‑class creativity, next‑generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.