Associate Creative Director

RR Donnelley; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 99,000 - 159,000; Full time

Job summary

RRD is seeking an experienced Creative Director for an onsite role to lead a multi-disciplinary creative team delivering campaigns and brand work. You will translate business goals into compelling briefs, manage client expectations, and ensure output aligns with brand standards.

The role emphasizes leadership, hands-on contribution, and strategic collaboration with Project Managers and Strategists to solve client problems and deliver high-quality creative work.

Qualifications

• 4 Year / Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design, Marketing, Communications, or related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in creative services is required, with at least two years of supervisory experience.
• Solid understanding of marketing and advertising principles.
• Proven ability to translate client needs into creative solutions.
• Leadership skills that inspire collaboration and accountability.
• Attention to detail and commitment to brand standards.
• Ability to manage priorities and allocate resources effectively.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary creative point of contact for client-facing projects and campaigns, translating business goals into creative briefs and leading presentations to manage feedback and expectations.
• Manages team performance, workload distribution, and development plans.
• Directing creative teams: Overseeing the daily workflow of art directors, designers, production artists to ensure concepts are executed to a high standard.
• Mentoring talent: Providing constructive feedback, identifying growth opportunities for junior and mid-level creatives, and helping them overcome creative blocks.
• Driving the big idea: Leading brainstorming sessions and developing high-level concepts for campaigns, brand identities, or product launches.
• Hands-on creation: Have the ability to create quick mockups, and be able to jump in design if needed.
• Maintaining brand standards: Ensuring all output aligns with the client's brand guidelines, tone of voice, and visual identity.
• Pitching and presenting: Acting as a key voice in client meetings and new business pitches, articulating the "why" behind creative choices.
• Interpreting feedback: Translating vague or challenging client feedback into actionable, clear directives for the creative team without compromising the core idea.
• Collaborating with account teams: Working closely with Project Managers and Strategists to ensure creative work solves the client's underlying business problem.
• Quality control: Reviewing and approving concept decks, and final mechanicals before they reach the Creative Director or client.
• Managing timelines and budgets: Partnering with project managers to ensure the team is tracking against deadlines, scope, and budget constraints.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Brand standards

Prioritization

Problem solving

Resource allocation

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design/Marketing/Communications

Tools

Figma

Motion Graphics

AI tools

Job description

• Compensation: USD 99,100 - USD 158,500 - yearly

Company Description

RRD provides marketing, packaging, print, and business services to the world's most respected brands. The company's proprietary technology, advanced data analytics, and expertise fuel organizational decision-making from strategy through execution, delivering sustainable solutions with the lowest possible environmental impact. Global organizations and regulated industries trust RRD to reduce complexity and drive audience connections across the entire customer journey.

Job Description

THIS IS AN ONSITE POSITION

Oversees a creative team delivering multi-channel programs and client-facing projects. Ensures creative outputs are innovative, brand-aligned, and strategically support business and client goals. Balances operational management with hands-on creative leadership.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary creative point of contact for client-facing projects and campaigns, translating business goals into creative briefs and leading presentations to manage feedback and expectations.
• Manages team performance, workload distribution, and development plans..
• Directing creative teams: Overseeing the daily workflow of art directors, designers, production artists to ensure concepts are executed to a high standard.
• Mentoring talent: Providing constructive feedback, identifying growth opportunities for junior and mid-level creatives, and helping them overcome creative blocks.

Concept Development & Execution

• Driving the big idea: Leading brainstorming sessions and developing high-level concepts for campaigns, brand identities, or product launches.
• Hands-on creation: Have the ability to create quick mockups, and be able to jump in design if needed.
• Maintaining brand standards: Ensuring all output aligns with the client's brand guidelines, tone of voice, and visual identity.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Pitching and presenting: Acting as a key voice in client meetings and new business pitches, articulating the "why" behind creative choices.
• Interpreting feedback: Translating vague or challenging client feedback into actionable, clear directives for the creative team without compromising the core idea.
• Collaborating with account teams: Working closely with Project Managers and Strategists to ensure creative work solves the client's underlying business problem.
• Quality control: Reviewing and approving concept decks, and final mechanicals before they reach the Creative Director or client.
• Managing timelines and budgets: Partnering with project managers to ensure the team is tracking against deadlines, scope, and budget constraints.

Qualifications

• 4 Year / Bachelors Degree - Graphic Design, Marketing, Communications, or related field
• At least 5 years of experience in creative services is required, with at least two years of supervisory experience.
• Solid understanding of marketing and advertising principles.
• Proven ability to translate client needs into creative solutions.
• Leadership skills that inspire collaboration and accountability.
• Strong problem-solving and prioritization abilities.
• Attention to detail and commitment to brand standards.
• Ability to manage priorities and allocate resources effectively.

Nice to Haves: Figma, Motion Graphics, AI (Gemini, Midjourney, etc)

Additional Information

RRD's current salary range for this role is $99,100 to $158,500 / year. The salary range may be adjusted based on the applicable geographic location of the hired employee, and the range may change in the future.At RRD, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions may vary based upon, but not limited to education, skills, experience, proficiency, performance, shift and location. Depending on the role, in addition to base salary, the total compensation package may also include participation in a bonus, commission or incentive program. RRD's benefit offerings include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, disability insurance, 401(k) with company match, life insurance and other voluntary supplemental insurance coverages, plus parental leave, adoption assistance, tuition assistance and employer/partner discounts.

At RRD, we value innovation, authenticity, and integrity. To uphold the security and fairness of our hiring process, we ask that candidates refrain from using AI tools during interviews to ensure an authentic and secure experience. We appreciate your cooperation as we work to maintain a transparent and equitable hiring process.

All employment offers are contingent upon the successful completion of both a pre-employment background and drug screen.

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