Associate Creative Director

California Jobs; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A creative agency based in San Francisco seeks a seasoned creative leader to drive innovative branding and advertising projects. The ideal candidate will excel in concept creation, project oversight, and client relationships, thriving in a fast-paced agency environment. Responsibilities include leading teams, developing integrated campaigns, and mentoring junior staff. The agency values collaboration and creativity, offering a supportive work culture. Benefits include competitive salary, 401(k) matching, and a dog-friendly office.

Benefits

401(k) Plan Matching

Paid Federal Company Holidays

Full Medical/Dental/Vision Package

Competitive Vacation Policy

Commuter Benefits

Weekly Team Lunch and Snacks

Dog-Friendly Office

Qualifications

• 10+ years experience in advertising and branding projects.
• 8+ years leading projects and teams.
• 5+ years managing creative team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead collaboration and concept sessions for campaigns.
• Oversee projects ensuring quality creative deliverables.
• Develop client-creative relationships that instill trust.

Skills

Creative Problem Solving

Interpersonal Skills

Presentation Skills

Time Management

Education

BA/BFA/MFA in Advertising, Design or Similar Discipline

Tools

Creative Suite

Figma

Google Suite

After Effects

Premiere

Job description

Do you have advertising and branding coursing through your veins? Do you thrive on crafting ingenious ideas, compelling copy, and visionary designs that command attention and leave people wanting more? We're on the hunt for a creative mastermind with a knack for both clever concepts and exceptional execution. You excel at developing big ideas and translating them into stunning, strategic designs and razor-sharp messaging. As the driving force behind building campaigns, brands, motion, and digital projects, you'll lead with gustoguiding clients, overseeing complex projects and challenges, and leading teams to bring big ideas and brands to life like nobodys business. Were looking for a creative star who understands the intricacies of the B2B tech world and enjoys the fast-paced, multi-project agency lifestyle. Someone who can unleash creativity, captivate audiences, and shape the future of storytellingthrough words, visuals, and everything in between.

About Sknas Culture

Were a small (but mighty) creative agency based in San Francisco and Stockholm. Our niche is to transform B2B and tech companies into brave brands and we work with our clients on a range of creative services including brand strategy and development, campaign development, event marketing, outdoor advertising, and much more. Our team is tight-knit and we love what we do. We like to do great work but we dont take ourselves too seriously. We focus on collaboration to produce results that work, which means we leave our egos at the door.

Job Responsibilities

• Push and guide agency and clients in forward-thinking concept creation and design
• Lead collaboration, brainstorms, and concept sessions with multiple teams or clients for campaigns, creative concepts and copy, and activations
• Have oversight and accountability of projects from start to finish by ensuring top quality of all creative deliverables and taking on the role of brand guardian for clients
• Concept, design and copy development for integrated campaigns that meet the business goals of our clients (print, digital, ooh, environmental, motion)
• Develop and translate strategies into high-quality brands, developing new brand systems or designing within an established brand identity from design and copy to production
• Collaborate with digital UX strategists and UI designers and developers to extend brand concepts to web experiences
• Develop client-creative relationships that instill trust, respect and understanding
• Lead client relationships by representing the agencys creative product--selling concepts to and consulting with clients
• Be accountable and oversee the vision and production of the creative product and development of high-quality design and assets within client brands
• Lead, manage, and mentor art directors, designers, freelancers and interns to foster a positive and supportive growth-oriented environment
• Strategize, support and implement the goals and objectives of the organization, cross-functional and creative teams, and clients and projects
• Production development, management and oversight
• Work independently and cooperatively on multiple simultaneous projects with teams (may include 5 or more), meeting deadlines and budget constraints, and scheduling project implementation based on workload
• Support on new business efforts, pitches and presentations
• Stay on top of advertising, design, B2B marketing and industry trends, and connect with the design community

Skills and Qualifications

• 10+ years experience of proven experience in concepting, designing and copywriting for advertising and branding projects with a portfolio that showcases a breadth of work that drives business results
• 8+ years leading projects, teams, and consulting and presenting to clients
• 7+ years experience in an agency environment
• 5+ years managing creative team members supporting and mentoring their growth
• BA/BFA/MFA in advertising, design or similar discipline
• Master proficiency in Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), Figma, Google Suite
• ADing and creating motion (After Effects, Premiere) experience preferred
• Excellent proficiency in print and digital production, web design concepts (grids, wireframes, UI/UX, etc)
• Web prototyping (Principle), 3D-modeling (Cinema 4-D), Illustration, photography experience a plus
• Highly developed interpersonal skills that work well with a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent presentation and verbal communication skills and an ability to sell your work to clients
• Passion for the field of advertising, branding and design and up-to-date with new design technologies and trends
• Creative problem solver and can-do attitude
• B2B experience and agency experience
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills to work efficiently and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

6 Signs That You Are the Right Candidate

• You are a creative problem solveryou have an entrepreneurial spirit and you act proactively.
• You have a doggedly curious spirit.
• You are fun to work withand you have great people skills.
• You love design and using creativity as a tool to help elevate brands and drive business growth.
• You like working in a small environment with a flat organization where everyones opinion is respected. In other words, the idea of Team Skona always coming first appeals to you!
• You embrace discomfort you think outside the box and are open to new ideas, types of work, and ways of doing things.

Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience
• 401(k) plan matching
• Paid federal company holidays + winter holiday closure
• Full medical/dental/vision package to fit your needs
• Competitive vacation policy
• Commuter benefits
• Weekly team lunch and snacks provided
• Dog-friendly office well-behaved furry friends welcome!

Skna is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race (including traits associated with race, such as hair texture and hairstyles like braids, locs, and twists), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic or combination of those characteristics.