Associate Creative Director

telegraphcreative; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

telegraphcreative in Birmingham, AL seeks an Associate Creative Director who blends the conceptual thinking and craft of a Senior Art Director with the leadership to guide multidisciplinary creative teams. This hands-on role develops ideas, designs presentations, shapes visual systems and creates standout campaign work, while directing designers, editors, animators and production partners to bring those ideas to life.

This in-office position is based in Birmingham, AL.

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of experience in advertising, branding, marketing or related creative fields.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional conceptual thinking and visual craft.
• Expertise in art direction, design systems, typography and visual storytelling.
• Proven experience leading creative projects and guiding other designers or creatives.
• Strong understanding of video production, creative development, storyboarding, editing workflows and content creation.
• Ability to think strategically while executing at a high creative level.
• Experience developing integrated campaigns across multiple channels.
• Strong presentation, communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects while maintaining high standards and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead creative development across campaigns, brand initiatives, content, and new business opportunities.
• Generate original concepts and visual ideas that solve business challenges and inspire clients.
• Partner with writers, strategists, account teams and production partners to create compelling creative work.
• Provide creative direction and mentorship to designers, editors, motion artists and other creative team members.
• Review work, provide constructive feedback and elevate the overall quality of creative output.
• Direct the visual execution of projects from concept through final delivery.
• Present ideas and creative rationale to clients and internal teams with confidence and clarity.
• Collaborate with video teams throughout concepting, storyboarding, production and post‑production.
• Help shape agency creative standards, processes and culture.
• Contribute to new business pitches and agency growth initiatives.

Skills

Conceptual thinking

Visual craft

Art direction

Leadership

Brand campaigns

Campaign development

Job description

We're looking for an Associate Creative Director who combines the conceptual thinking and craft of a Senior Art Director with the leadership skills to guide multidisciplinary creative teams.

This is a hands‑on role for someone who still loves developing ideas, designing presentations, shaping visual systems and creating standout campaign work, but who is equally comfortable directing designers, editors, animators and production partners to bring those ideas to life.

The ideal candidate is a strong visual thinker, an experienced storyteller and a confident creative leader with a deep understanding of modern advertising across digital, social, video and integrated campaigns. This is not a managerial ACD role. It's more of a player‑coach role: someone who still spends most of their time making great work while providing creative leadership when projects require it.

This is an in‑office position located in Birmingham, AL.

What You’ll Do

• Lead creative development across campaigns, brand initiatives, content, and new business opportunities.
• Generate original concepts and visual ideas that solve business challenges and inspire clients.
• Partner with writers, strategists, account teams and production partners to create compelling creative work.
• Provide creative direction and mentorship to designers, editors, motion artists and other creative team members.
• Review work, provide constructive feedback and elevate the overall quality of creative output.
• Direct the visual execution of projects from concept through final delivery.
• Present ideas and creative rationale to clients and internal teams with confidence and clarity.
• Collaborate with video teams throughout concepting, storyboarding, production and post‑production.
• Help shape agency creative standards, processes and culture.
• Contribute to new business pitches and agency growth initiatives.

What We’re Looking For

• 7–10+ years of experience in advertising, branding, marketing or related creative fields.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional conceptual thinking and visual craft.
• Expertise in art direction, design systems, typography and visual storytelling.
• Proven experience leading creative projects and guiding other designers or creatives.
• Strong understanding of video production, creative development, storyboarding, editing workflows and content creation.
• Ability to think strategically while executing at a high creative level.
• Experience developing integrated campaigns across multiple channels.
• Strong presentation, communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects while maintaining high standards and attention to detail.

Bonus Points

• Motion design experience.
• On‑set production experience.
• Experience directing video shoots and talent.
• Experience working with both regional and national brands.