Associate Creative Director - Future Opportunity

160OVER90; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading marketing agency is hiring an Associate Creative Director to deliver impactful creative work across various channels. This role involves mentoring junior team members, managing projects, and presenting innovative ideas to clients. The ideal candidate has 7-10 years of experience and a strong portfolio showcasing their ad campaigns.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of experience in an ad agency or similar environment.
• Digital portfolio showcasing advertising and creative projects.
• Flexibility to work nights and weekends as needed.

Responsibilities

• Play a hands-on role in delivering outstanding creative work.
• Concept creative from brief to final product while managing projects.
• Collaborate with media, strategists, and creative leads.

Skills

Creative direction

Presentation skills

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Strategic thinking

Curiosity

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree in graphic design, English, marketing/communications

Tools

InDesign

Photoshop

Illustrator

Adobe Creative Suite

Google Slides

Slack

Job description

This is for a future opportunity in the Atlanta or St Louis market. The compensation range will be from $100,000 - $125,000.

The Role and What You’ll Do:

As an Associate Creative Director, you are a master of many verticals and a mentor to all. You know how to tell a big brand story, execute an event flawlessly, and crack culture with a single social video. Most importantly, you can teach others how to do the same.

You may come from an art or copy background but have gained an eye and an ear for both. You can craft a compelling deck and sell in a big room. You lead small projects and are on your way to owning the big ones.

You are a go-to for pitches (with your partner and solo) and have become a mainstay on key accounts. You are recognized on client calls and maintain strong relationships within the integrated team. You collaborate effectively with all stakeholders.

Your Creative Director can always rely on you, and your Group Creative Director sees you as second in command. You keep projects flowing and the team connected, ready to lead and eager to step up.

You are the firepower that keeps the team energized and the dependable pinch-hitter in high-pressure situations.

You consistently deliver and inspire dedication in others.

• Play a hands-on role in delivering outstanding creative work within a cross-disciplinary team, ensuring work is on-brand, impactful, and distinctive.
• Maintain consistency and effectiveness of creative outputs.
• Concept creative from brief to final product, managing multiple projects and tight deadlines.
• Work within established brand guidelines.
• Leverage strategic and conceptual talent to contribute to campaigns that meet consumer needs and business goals.
• Confidently present and advocate creative ideas to leadership, stakeholders, and clients.
• Articulate and rationalize creative decisions with strategic insights.
• Collaborate with media, strategists, and creative leads to test and refine creative iterations.
• Stay updated on marketing trends and culture to bring fresh ideas to the team.
• Research and develop innovative ideas for clients’ brands.
• Develop concepts across various advertising channels including branding, TV, social, digital, print, OOH, experiential, etc.
• Edit and appraise your work critically.
• Work closely with project managers and account teams throughout project lifecycle.
• Contribute to new business pitches and client presentations.
• Work effectively within timelines and budgets.
• Proficiency in InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe Creative Suite, Slack, and Google Slides.
• Receptive to feedback and adaptable in the creative process, providing direction to creatives and clients.
• Support overall creative aesthetic and concept development, bringing innovative ideas to life visually and verbally.
• Participate in team performance reviews and foster creative growth.

You Have These:

• 7-10 years of experience in an ad agency or similar environment.
• Degree in graphic design, English, marketing/communications, or related field.
• Fearlessness and willingness to fail and learn.
• Curiosity for the unique, culturally relevant, and buzz-worthy ideas.
• Optimism, curiosity, and passion for continuous improvement.
• Ability to adapt to new ideas and processes with enthusiasm.
• Professional attitude and openness to feedback, earning respect from colleagues.
• Appreciation for the synergy between copy and visual design.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Cross-functional design and conceptual experience.
• Desire to be part of a modern marketing agency.
• Passion for data-driven results and creative gamification.
• Strong work ethic.
• Digital portfolio showcasing advertising, campaigns, and creative projects.
• Strategic thinking and ability to see ideas through execution.
• Flexibility to work nights and weekends as needed.
• Thought leadership and clear communication skills.
• Willingness to travel.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• High accountability.
• Desire to influence culture and bring your best every day.
• Compassion, empathy, and dedication to your team and work.