Associate Creative Director, Copy

FashionUnited; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

FashionUnited is seeking an Associate Creative Director, Copy in Rockford, Illinois. The candidate will lead storytelling and brand expression through compelling campaigns and concepts. You will work closely with various teams and contribute to the brand's cultural relevance in sport and fashion.

The role demands a creative leader with 8+ years of agency experience, exceptional storytelling skills, and a passion for running culture. This position allows for ambitious and innovative work in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of copywriting experience within a leading creative agency or brand.
• Ability to concept and execute breakthrough, culturally relevant work.
• Strong understanding of modern brand building across performance and lifestyle.

Responsibilities

• Partner with creative and brand leaders to translate strategy into impactful concepts.
• Lead the development of storytelling across various platforms.
• Champion the craft of copywriting and evolve Saucony's voice.

Skills

Exceptional storytelling ability

Cross‑functional collaboration

Project management skills

Passion for running culture

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Job description

At Saucony, we exist at the intersection of culture and performance. While our history is rooted in the run, our future is defined by movement in all its forms. We don't just make shoes; we build the breakthroughs that move the industry forward and the styles that define the cultural conversation.

We’re a team that puts excellence first, and the experts agree. Recently, Fast Company named Saucony one of the Most Innovative Companies in the world, specifically honoring our IncrediRUN Foam as a major leap forward in footwear tech.

Our reach extends from the track to the street, whether it's the Speed 5 being named “Best Overall” by WIRED or our iconic Shadow 5000 winning the Shop TODAY Sneaker Awards, we are consistently recognized as the gold standard for both performance and style.

As Associate Creative Director, Copy, you will play a key role in bringing that belief to life through world‑class storytelling and brand expression. Partnering closely with creative, product, and marketing teams, you will lead the development of compelling concepts, campaigns, and narratives that resonate with a global audience.

This is an opportunity to do the most ambitious, creatively rich work of your career. Saucony is building an in‑house model that is uncommon in the industry and one that blends craft, speed, and cultural relevance at a high level. We are setting a new standard for the brand and expect the work to reflect that ambition.

From breakthrough campaign platforms to deeply considered product storytelling, social content to immersive experiences, you will craft ideas that are culturally sharp, emotionally resonant, and unmistakably Saucony.

We are looking for a writer and creative leader with a deep respect for the craft of copywriting, someone who obsesses over language, tone, rhythm, and narrative, and understands how powerful storytelling can move people, shape culture, and build enduring brands.

Primary Duties

• Partner with creative and brand leaders to translate strategy into distinctive, culturally relevant, and highly impactful creative concepts.
• Lead the development of elevated copy and storytelling across the full ecosystem including brand campaigns, product launches, retail, social, experiential, editorial, digital, and film.
• Champion the craft of copywriting setting a high bar for language, voice, narrative structure, and emotional resonance across all touchpoints.
• Play a key role in defining, shaping, and evolving Saucony’s tone‑of‑voice across both performance and lifestyle communications.
• Develop globally relevant ideas and narratives that translate authentically across regions, audiences, and cultures.
• Guide work from ideation through execution, ensuring creative excellence at every stage of the process.
• Present work with clarity, conviction, and a strong strategic foundation to internal stakeholders and partners.
• Stay deeply connected to culture, storytelling trends, and the evolving worlds of running, sport, fashion, design, and entertainment.
• Contribute to and help raise the bar within a highly collaborative, curious, and creatively ambitious team.
• Perform duties consistent with the Company’s AAP/EEO goals and policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned by manager.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• 8+ years of copywriting experience within a leading creative agency or brand.
• Exceptional storytelling ability, with a demonstrated mastery of voice, tone, and narrative craft.
• A portfolio that shows the ability to concept and execute breakthrough, culturally relevant work.
• Strong cross‑functional collaboration and leadership skills.
• Advanced understanding of modern brand building across performance and lifestyle spaces.
• Deep curiosity for culture, emerging storytelling formats, and the evolving media landscape.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills; able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Passion for running culture and its intersection with style, creativity, and community.
• Self‑starter mentality with a proactive, solutions‑oriented approach.
• Thrive in a fast‑paced, high‑output environment where priorities shift and momentum matters.
• Embrace collaboration across disciplines, with a team‑first mindset.
• Take ownership of work from concept through execution.
• Operate with a high level of accountability, curiosity, and creative ambition.
• Be energized by building new ways of working and raising the standard together.

Working Conditions

Normal office environment. Some travel may be required.

Equal‑Opportunity Employer

We are committed to being an equal‑opportunity employer. We aim to create equal opportunities for our associates, customers, and suppliers regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected characteristic. This role performs duties consistent with the Company’s AAP/EEO goals and policies.