Associate Creative Director, AD

Acino International; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Co in Seattle is seeking an Associate Creative Director / Art Director to lead and elevate the visual craft across campaigns and channels. You will partner with an ACD/Copywriter, guiding concepts from inception through execution while raising the creative bar.

You will mentor designers and other creatives, present ideas to clients, and collaborate with strategy, accounts and production to ensure strategically grounded, high-impact work.

Qualifications

• 7–9 years of creative experience, ideally within a creatively driven agency environment.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating concept-driven thinking, exceptional art direction and elevated visual craft.
• Proven ability to develop and lead integrated creative ideas across multiple channels.
• Experience partnering closely with copywriters and multidisciplinary creative teams.
• Strong understanding of design, typography, photography, film, digital and social.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of breakthrough creative concepts across clients, campaigns and channels.
• Set and elevate the visual direction of the work from concept through execution.
• Remain an active creative contributor; participate in idea sprints, design and art direct work.
• Work as an integrated creative team with the ACD/Copywriter, sharing ownership for the strength of the idea.
• Guide and inspire creative teams to produce their strongest work and mentor junior creatives.
• Present creative thinking confidently and articulate the rationale behind the work.

Skills

Creative leadership

Art direction

Team mentorship

Visual craft

Idea development

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Associate Creative Director / Art Director

Reporting to: Executive Creative Director
Location: Seattle, WA
Status: Full-Time Exempt

About Co

At Co, our creative department is fueled by curiosity and committed to the craft. Every member of our creative team punches above their weight—because every day brings the opportunity to think, create, and push forward breakthrough ideas across a wide range of clients and channels.

Our Associate Creative Directors are both leaders and doers. They develop big ideas, elevate the work, guide other creatives and stay close enough to the craft to make the work better.

As an ACD/Art Director, you’ll partner closely with an ACD/Copywriter, bringing strong visual thinking and creative leadership to the team. Together, you’ll help lead concepts from the first idea through final execution while raising the creative bar along the way.

Core Responsibilities

Creative Development & Concepting

Lead the development of breakthrough creative concepts across clients, campaigns and channels. Partner closely with the ACD/Copywriter to develop strategically sound ideas where visual and verbal thinking work together.

Art Direction & Craft

Set and elevate the visual direction of the work from concept through execution. Bring a strong point of view around design, typography, photography, film, digital, social and emerging forms of creative expression.

Hands-On Creative

Remain an active creative contributor. Participate in idea sprints, develop concepts, design and art direct work, and step into execution when needed. This is a leadership role that still makes things.

Creative Partnership

Work as an integrated creative team with the ACD/Copywriter, sharing ownership for the strength of the idea and overall creative product rather than operating in separate art and copy lanes.

Team Leadership & Mentorship

Guide and inspire creative teams to produce their strongest work. Provide clear, actionable feedback and mentor Art Directors, Designers and other creatives as they develop their craft and creative thinking.

Client Engagement & Presentation

Present creative thinking confidently and articulate the rationale behind the work. Build trust with clients through strong creative judgment, collaboration and an understanding of their business challenges.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner closely with Strategy, Account, Media, Production and other disciplines to develop ideas that are strategically grounded and can come to life effectively across channels.

Creative Excellence & Ownership

Take ownership of the quality of creative work across assigned projects and accounts. Push ideas beyond the expected, protect the integrity of the concept through execution and contribute to Co’s broader creative standards.

Innovation & AI Application

Actively incorporate AI and emerging creative tools into daily work, including concept development, visual exploration, rapid prototyping, iteration and production. Explore how new technologies can improve both the creative product and the way we work.

Core Values

• Fueled by Curiosity: Continuously ask “why” and “what if” to discover new solutions.
• Find a Way: Overcome challenges and deliver results, regardless of obstacles.
• Play Offense: Plan proactively and seek continuous improvement.
• Do the Right Thing: Make decisions that reflect integrity, even when it’s tough.
• Give a Damn: Care deeply about our work, clients and each other.
• Enjoy the Ride: Approach every challenge with positivity and kindness.

Qualifications & Experience

• 7–9 years of creative experience, ideally within a creatively driven agency environment.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating concept-driven thinking, exceptional art direction and elevated visual craft.
• Proven ability to develop and lead integrated creative ideas across multiple channels.
• Experience partnering closely with copywriters and multidisciplinary creative teams.
• Strong understanding of design, typography, photography, film, digital and social.
• Ability to lead projects from concept through final execution while maintaining a high standard of craft.
• Demonstrated ability to provide creative direction, feedback and mentorship to other creatives.
• Strong client-facing presentation and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and demonstrated curiosity and fluency with emerging creative and AI tools.

Opportunities for Growth & Promotion

Performance Excellence

Consistently deliver standout creative work while demonstrating mastery of both conceptual thinking and visual craft. Raise the quality of the work beyond individual assignments by helping teams push ideas further.

Leadership & Collaboration

Lead and mentor creatives, build strong partnerships across disciplines and contribute to a collaborative, high-performing creative culture.

Commitment to Growth & Values

Drive innovation, embrace new ways of working and consistently embody Co’s values in how you lead, collaborate and create.