Associate Creative Director, Copy

Athena Global Advisors; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental benefits including a 1K Health Reimbursement Account

Matching 401K

Generous PTO policy

Substantial Parental Leave Policy

Hybrid Work Environment

Job summary

Athena Global Advisors in Philadelphia seeks an ACD, copy to lead creative output across client work and the Athena brand. The ideal candidate will balance big-idea thinking with execution, collaborate with designers and strategists, and ensure brand consistency. Responsibilities include leading copy direction, developing messaging frameworks, and mentoring junior team members. The role is in a hybrid work environment, offering benefits including medical, matching 401K, and generous PTO.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated portfolio showing campaign concepting.
• Experience leading copy across integrated campaigns.
• Comfort in collaborative, agency-style environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead copy direction across campaigns ensuring consistency.
• Develop strong creative platforms and messaging frameworks.
• Drive concepting and ideation sessions translating insights.
• Shape narratives and write pitch materials for new business.
• Present creative work with confidence to stakeholders.
• Mentor and develop junior copywriters and team members.
• Balance execution with leadership responsibilities.
• Collaborate with teams to ensure alignment with objectives.
• Maintain high standards for clarity and storytelling.

Skills

ACD level copy leadership experience

Proven 360 advertising experience

Experience leading and mentoring a team

Advanced writing, editing, and storytelling skills

Ability to translate complex ideas into clear messaging

Comfort working in a fast-paced environment

Job description

About Athena

Athena is a creative place for leaders, risk‑takers, and boundary‑pushers. We partner with organizations looking to transform their presence, reputation, and performance. For more than a decade we’ve delivered business insights, marketing strategies, and brand activations for leading organizations across industries ranging from telecommunications to major league sports. Our people make Athena, Athena. As a three‑time Philadelphia Inquirer Top Workplace, we pride ourselves on fostering an environment where passion meets excellence. We are solutions‑oriented, collaborative, and not afraid to roll up our sleeves to make work that works—while sharing a few laughs along the way.

About The Role

We’re looking for an ACD, copy to help lead creative output across client work and the Athena brand. This role balances big‑idea thinking with strong execution, partnering closely with designers, art directors, strategists, project managers, and fellow writers to deliver insightful, on‑brand work. You’ll move fluidly between concept development, creative direction, and team leadership—owning the written voice while helping set the creative bar across channels and initiatives.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

• Lead copy direction across campaigns, content, and brand expressions, ensuring consistency in tone, voice, and messaging across all channels and platforms.
• Develop strong creative platforms and messaging frameworks that support integrated campaign ideas from concept through execution.
• Drive and facilitate concepting and ideation sessions, translating strategic insights into clear, compelling, and sellable creative ideas.
• Play a key role in new business and pitch efforts, helping shape narratives, write and refine pitch materials, and participate in client and prospect presentations to win new work.
• Present creative work with confidence to clients and internal stakeholders, clearly articulating ideas, rationale, and recommendations.
• Manage, mentor, and develop copywriters and junior creative team members, providing constructive feedback, coaching, and creative direction to support high‑quality work and professional growth.
• Act as a player‑coach, balancing hands‑on execution with leadership responsibilities while helping set and uphold creative standards for the team.
• Collaborate closely with designers, strategists, project managers, and account teams to ensure work aligns with strategic objectives, timelines, and client expectations.
• Maintain a high bar for craft, clarity, and storytelling, ensuring all written work reflects Athena’s brand standards and delivers business impact.

Skills & Experience You Should Have

• ACD level copy leadership experience, demonstrated through a portfolio showing campaign concepting and multi‑channel execution‑level copy leadership experience.
• Proven 360 advertising experience, leading copy across fully integrated campaigns (paid and organic social, digital, TV, video, experiential, OOH, CRM/email, web, etc.).
• Experience leading and mentoring a team of writers, including assigning work, providing editorial direction, and developing talent.
• Advanced writing, editing, and storytelling skills with a strong point of view on craft and quality.
• Ability to translate complex or ambiguous ideas into clear, persuasive messaging for defined audiences.
• Comfort working in a fast‑paced, collaborative, agency‑style environment with multiple stakeholders.

It’s a Plus If You Have

• Experience writing for regulated, complex, or high‑stakes industries (telecom, automotive, enterprise brands).
• Experience developing or managing brand voice and messaging frameworks.
• Experience partnering with performance or analytics teams to refine messaging based on results.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental benefits including a 1K Health Reimbursement Account
• Matching 401K
• Generous PTO policy
• Substantial Parental Leave Policy
• Hybrid Work Environment

Athena is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law. If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance in applying for a position, please contact us at 866.299.6040.