ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR [NYC]

Born Social; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20 days vacation

Medical insurance

Annual performance bonus

401k matching

Gym membership

Home office chair

Citibike membership

Referral bonus

Agile working

Job summary

Born Social, a social-first creative agency in New York City, is seeking an Associate Creative Director for a hybrid role. You will lead creative direction, oversee pitches, and guide the team to deliver exceptional work that aligns with the client brief and business goals.

The role requires a track record of top-tier campaigns and strong client leadership, with a focus on social-first strategies and brand storytelling across major brands.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in a conceptual creative or creative strategy role.
• Track record of pitching and delivering industry-leading campaigns.
• Experience directing creative direction and ideation for big-name global brands.
• Confident decision-maker with problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Set the standard for best-in-class creative work across all deliverables.
• Lead pitches and client presentations to win new business.
• Own creative output on accounts and foster a culture of excellence.
• Mentor and grow the creative team and articulate the department's values.

Skills

Conceptual creativity

Pitching

Client leadership

Team mentorship

Job description

ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR

NEW YORK CITY, USA

Hybrid Working

A benchmarked salary between $135,000 to $150,000 based on your level within our progression framework.

WHO WE ARE

We are Born Social, a social-first creative agency that brings brand building into the social era. We have a track record of delivering transformation for iconic brands like Guinness, Ford, and Barclays, led by our team of social natives and brand experts, underpinned by technology.

Backed by the strength of a brilliant business that’s proudly B-Corp certified, we’re consistently recognized as one of the best places to work.

We’re part of Croud, a global, full-service digital marketing business. Today, Croud and Born Social bring together distinct creative and performance specialisms. We’re now entering the next stage of our journey: becoming a more integrated business, with shared functions and ways of working, while protecting the specialist expertise that makes each part brilliant.

Excitingly, we have just won our first integrated retainer in the States with a non-profit movement launched for the country’s 250th anniversary in 2026 to reignite genuine community contribution. This work reflects our values as a business, and we’re looking for passionate people to bring it to life.

We’re looking for an Associate Creative Director to set and lead the account’s creative direction, delivering externally recognized creative work that drives commercial growth and expands the account. You’ll also work closely with our Chief Creative Officer, VP of Clients, and Strategy Director to support pitch activity and win new business.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

• Set the standard for best-in-class creative work; oversee client work from ideation and pitch to execution and delivery, always linking back to the brief and the business plan across all levels of deliverable.
• Lead pitches and client presentations, bringing in new work from existing and new clients through great creative, client relations, and establishing Born Social as a strategic partner.
• Own the creative output on accounts and establish a culture of creative excellence with the Creative Team. Create case studies, thought leadership and showcase work.
• Lead, mentor and build confidence and capability across the creative team. Provide leadership, modeling the culture and values of the department.

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• You’ve got at least 7+ years of experience in a conceptual creative or creative strategy role, with strong social experience.
• You have a track record of pitching and delivering industry-leading creative campaigns, rooted in cultural relevance and social insights.
• You’ve had experience working with and delivering creative direction and campaign ideation for big-name global brands.
• You are a confident decision-maker and able to creatively problem-solve to course-correct quickly and clearly.
• You have impressive deck creation and presenting skills.
• You’ve got experience working on integrated work that spans both media and creative with a social-first lens.
• Ideally, you’ve worked on non-profit brands before and have an understanding of the category.

NO GRIT NO PEARL

No Grit No Pearl is our creative mantra – a single-minded statement of intent that defines how we get to great work and the standard we hold ourselves to. Because we believe the best work isn’t formed instantly, they’re shaped through commitment, care, and perseverance. Grit isn’t about grind - it’s about staying curious, pushing ideas, and appreciating the process to reach the Pearl - work we’re proud of, created to the highest standard that makes a lasting impact.

VALUES

Our values aim to pinpoint the magic ingredients for us at our best. We look for people who share our values and can add to our culture.

See Challenge as Opportunity

is about our attitude and to be very clear, this is not a value of optimism, nor is it about loving every challenge.

Say It Simply

is how we communicate. Think of the basic rules of communication - honest, clear, confident.

Do What YouSay

is the crux of our reputation and longevity. When you join Born Social, our trust is fully given. It is yours to lose.

MakeEach Other Better

is about our culture of collaboration and commitment to development. We are only as good as the people around us so we all take responsibility for developing each other, as well as ourselves.

Consciously Contribute

is bigger than all the others. It ensures we grow right. It broadens our focus beyond Born Social and cements our commitment to doing what’s just, not what’s easy or immediately self-serving.

BORN SOCIAL CROUD

Born Social is proud to be part of Croud. Together we are a global, full service media, creative and data agency. We operate as a unique scaled network of Intelligent, Creative Specialists, enabling us to deliver superior brand outcomes and unlock potential for our people, our clients and our communities.

EVERYONE'S WELCOME

We celebrate different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds here at Born Social. As an equal opportunities employer, we believe in the power of an inclusive and representative team. We welcome applications regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, political affiliation, family, or parental status.

PERKS AND BENEFITS

Every Born Social US employee is eligible for the benefits listed here on the Croud careers site, which include:

• 20 days vacation a year + 12 public holidays
• Full Paid Medical Insurance (including dental and vision)
• Annual performance bonus
• 401k matching plan
• Gym Membership contributions
• Free fruit, breakfast cereals, snacks, soft drinks and tea & coffee
• Free home office chair and screen
• Quarterly team offsites / Regular socials
• Free Citibike membership
• Recruitment referrals bonus
• Agile working policy

Standard working hours are from 9.00am to 5.30pm, there’s flexibility if agreed in advance with your line managers (it will also be necessary on occasions to work outside of these hours).

Croud is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the grounds of a person’s gender, marital status, race, religion, ethnicity, age, disability or sexual orientation. All candidates will be assessed based on merit, qualifications and their ability to perform the requirements of the role.