Associate Creative Director, Copy

djeholdings; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 86,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Edelman is seeking an Associate Creative Director to concept, craft and produce earned-centric ideas across multiple accounts. You will collaborate with a cross-capability team, be client-facing, and shape campaigns that break through with social by design.

This role requires a self-motivated, detail-oriented leader who thrives in a fast-paced, creative environment and can guide projects from concept to Cannes-worthy results.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience managing day-to-day changes with a team-oriented, entrepreneurial spirit.
• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Advertising or Graphic Design or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Concept and plan execution of integrated campaigns and programs across media and platforms, especially social, digital, video, experiences and content.
• Create and design campaign ideas for client projects and new business pitches that are earned-first and social by design.
• Collaborate with account, strategy, project management, and influencer teams to bring concepts to life.
• Develop tactics to translate creative concepts into working campaigns that meet program objectives.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously and provide direction to team members as needed.
• Coordinate with project managers and production partners to schedule projects and manage budgets.
• Prepare and present client creative presentations and drive approval processes.
• Work with external vendors and internal colleagues to deliver projects on time and within budget.

Skills

Social-first thinker

Strategic collaboration

Earned-first mindset

Influencer/community management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Advertising or Graphic Design

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

Job description

We are in relentless pursuit of an equitable and inspiring workplace that is respectful of all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust, collaboration and belonging. Consistent with this approach, we hire the best qualified candidates for all positions.

At Edelman, we believe brands have the responsibility to reflect and move culture. We advocate for ideas based on real insights and sound strategic opportunities. We then challenge ourselves to bring them to life with creative that speaks to people, not at them. Founded 68 years ago as public relations firm, crafting messages was and is part of what Edelman is, but we've evolved into a perennial award-winning creative agency.

Our number one goal is building ideas that earn attention of their own merits and inspire sharing. To do that, we lean into what people care about and want to talk about and show our brands how we can serve those communities. We create work that captures journalists' attention and generates coverage because the ideas are timely, relevant, push on cultural tensions, and have social purpose at the core.

Specifically, we are looking for an Associate Creative Director, who can concept, craft and produce creative ideas across multiple accounts and projects. You must be self‑motivated, detailed, and dedicated to bringing in ideas that are earned centric and social by design. You will be client‑facing and collaborate with a cross‑capability team to sell in work that solves real business problems.

This is not a plug‑and‑play role. As an earned‑first agency, we shape our ideas around the story we want to tell‑not the media plan. What we sell in shifts with every brief - one day it's a reactive TikTok idea, the next it's a 360 campaign with PR, influencer, digital, and brand film components. We're looking for sharp thinkers and culture junkies who thrive in creative chaos.

You should be:

• A social‑first thinker fluent in TikTok, Instagram, apps we've never heard of, and niche internet subcultures
• Strategic and collaborative, with a proven track record of big ideas and big wins
• Experienced in 360 campaigns with an earned‑first mindset
• Obsessed with making smart, standout, award‑winning work
• Ego‑free, self‑starting, and deeply team‑oriented

This is a chance to work with a best‑in‑class creative crew that's picked up wins all the way to Cannes. If you're ready to do the best work of your life‑we'd love to meet you.

Responsibilities :

• Work in partnership with an Associate Creative Director, Art and at the direction of creative leadership to concept and plan execution of integrated campaigns and programs across a wide range of media and platforms, especially social, digital, video, experiences and content
• Create and design campaign ideas for client projects and new business pitches that are earned‑first and social by design
• Work in concert with a wide range of specialties including account, strategy, project management, and influencer
• Develop tactics which bring creative concepts to life and achieve program objectives
• Manage multiple jobs simultaneously; managing and providing direction to other team members as needed
• Work closely with a project manager and production partners to schedule projects and coordinate production
• Prepare and present client creative presentations; Drive client approval process
• Work effectively with external vendors and internal colleagues to complete projects within timeframe and budget

Basic Qualifications :

• At least 6 years' experience managing day‑to‑day changes at every level of detail and handling them with a team oriented, entrepreneurial spirit
• A bachelor's degree, preferably in Fine Arts, Advertising or Graphic Design or equivalent experience

Additional qualifications include :

• Experience managing day‑to‑day changes at every level of detail and handling them with a team oriented
• Experience maintaining client contact as needed and assist with budget and schedule development
• Ability to prioritize and manage work, adhering to critical project timelines in a fast‑paced environment
• A professional‑level mastery of industry standard design software and tools including the full suite of Adobe Creative Cloud
• Production experience in art direction and design for video, digital and social platforms
• Experience in influencer and or community management a plus
• Pride in your previous work and the ability to speak to it clearly and concisely during the interview process

Applications submitted without a portfolio will not be considered.

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$86,000-$138,000 a year.

An employee's pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, travel requirements, revenue‑based metrics, any contractual agreements, and business or organizational needs. The range listed is just one component of DJEH's