Associate Creative Director, Art

ICF Olson; Maryland; On-site; USD 108,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

ICF Next is seeking an Associate Creative Director, Art to lead visual concept and craft for major assignments across diverse client portfolios. You will translate briefs into strong ideas, campaign visuals, and cohesive design systems while directing integrated work across digital, social, video, experiential, and earned media.

You will protect the visual integrity of ideas from concept through production, guide and mentor teams, and collaborate with copywriters and strategists to shape clear,

Qualifications

• 7+ years of relevant creative experience in an agency or studio with demonstrated leadership.
• Strong portfolio rooted in art direction, visual concept, design craft, and integrated campaign work.

Responsibilities

• Lead visual concept and craft for major assignments across diverse client portfolios.
• Translate briefs into strong ideas, campaign visuals, and cohesive design systems.
• Direct integrated work across digital, social, video, experiential, and earned media.
• Protect the visual integrity of ideas from concept through production.
• Guide and mentor art directors and designers toward stronger execution.
• Partner with copywriters and strategists to shape clear, compelling stories.
• Present work persuasively to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Lead multiple assignments with urgency, quality, and limited oversight.
• Help maintain creative standards, develop talent, and strengthen collaboration.

Skills

Art direction

Visual concepts

Campaign visuals

Integrated campaigns

Leadership

AI workflows

Education

Art/Design degree

Tools

AI tools

Job description

What makes creative work matter? Its ability to move people. At ICF Next, we help organizations turn complex issues into human ideas that build understanding, influence behavior, and inspire action. Our work spans private- and public-sector clients, and we're looking for an Associate Creative Director, Art to help lead it. You'll lead major assignments across diverse client portfolios, developing visual concepts and campaign systems that build brands, clarify complex topics, and motivate people to act. This is high-stakes, high-impact work, and it demands strong ideas, exceptional craft, and confident creative leadership.

Who You Are

You're an art director ready to lead at a broader level. You know how images, type, structure, and pacing work together to tell a compelling story. You elevate design and art direction, develop strong concepts and campaign visuals, and understand how art and copy work together across an integrated system. You're still close to the work. You guide art directors and designers, give clear direction, and protect the visual integrity of an idea from concept through production. You present with confidence, make sound recommendations with limited oversight, and help teams deliver work that feels cohesive, thoughtful, and well crafted.

The Role

You'll lead visual concept and craft for major assignments inside a large, mission-driven creative studio. From integrated campaigns to social content to video storytelling, you'll shape work across platforms, audiences, and sectors while raising the creative standard. You'll partner closely with copy, strategy, account teams, and production. You'll present to clients, mentor the art team, and provide clear direction to designers, makers, and external partners. You'll lead day-to-day creative practice, manage complex stakeholder needs, and help senior leaders maintain standards and develop talent.

What You'll Do

• Lead visual concepts and art direction for major assignments across diverse client portfolios
• Translate briefs into strong ideas, campaign visuals, and cohesive design systems
• Direct integrated work across digital, social, video, experiential, and earned media
• Protect the visual integrity of ideas from concept through production
• Guide and mentor art directors and designers toward stronger execution
• Partner with copywriters and strategists to shape clear, compelling stories
• Present work persuasively to clients and internal stakeholders
• Lead multiple assignments with urgency, quality, and limited oversight
• Help maintain creative standards, develop talent, and strengthen collaboration

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of relevant creative experience in an agency or studio, including demonstrated leadership
• A strong portfolio rooted in art direction, visual concept, design craft, and integrated campaign work

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing behavior-change campaigns that motivate measurable action
• Experience working across private- and public-sector clients
• A degree in art direction, design, or a related discipline—or equivalent professional experience
• Fluency in emerging creative technology, including AI-supported workflows

Traits We Value

• Strong conceptual thinking and visual storytelling skills
• Confidence directing integrated work across art and copy
• The ability to give clear, useful creative direction
• Strong presentation and communication skills
• A collaborative approach and sound judgment
• Agility in dynamic, high-pressure environments
• Passion for craft, design, and the details that make an idea stronger
• The ability to inspire others while staying close to the work

Working at ICF

We're not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive.

We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO policy.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please email [e-mail] and we will be happy to assist.

All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

Read more about workplace discrimination rights or our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at [e-mail]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Pay Range

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position. The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is: $108,476.00 - $184,409.00 Maryland Remote Office (MD99)