Creative Director (Art), Energy Sector

ICF International; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

ICF Next seeks a Creative Director to lead creative strategy and execution for major energy-sector clients in a large, mission-driven studio near Philadelphia. You will oversee multi-channel campaigns, from digital to video storytelling, and guide the team with rigor, speed, and creative edge.

Join a culture that values bold ideas, clear storytelling, and collaborative leadership. You’ll elevate creative output across briefs, mentor designers and writers, and partner with account leads to drive

Qualifications

• 12+ years of creative experience in agency or studio environments.
• A portfolio demonstrating standout concepting and execution.
• Senior-level leadership with a track record of guiding teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead creative strategy and execution for major energy accounts.
• Develop multi-channel campaigns across digital, social, video, and experiential.
• Mentor and direct creative teams toward high-impact work.
• Present work persuasively to internal and external stakeholders.
• Drive rapid, quality output across multiple projects.
• Adapt to evolving technology, tools, and platforms.
• Foster a culture of creative excellence and collaboration.

Skills

Creative leadership

Art direction

Storytelling

Strategic thinking

Tools

AI workflows

Job description

Creative Director

What's the most urgent global conversation today? Energy. How we power our homes, cities, cars-and our increasingly AI-driven lives-isn't just a policy issue, it's a human one. At ICF Next, we help utilities, public agencies, and clean energy pioneers move millions toward more sustainable choices. We're looking for a Creative Director to help lead that charge.

You'll take on a set of marquee client portfolios-developing campaigns that shape public understanding of energy, electrification, and resilience. This is high-stakes, high-impact work, and it demands big ideas, sharp instincts, and bold leadership.

Who You Are

You're not just a maker-you're a leader with vision. A visual major with an art direction background, you understand how images, type, structure, and pacing work together to tell a compelling story. Professionally, you may come from art direction-but you think like a storyteller. You understand how visuals and words work together to move people. You see the story arc in everything, and you know when to lead with imagery, when to lean into language, and how to shape both for clarity and impact.

You elevate creative. You rally teams. You sell ideas with clarity and conviction. You thrive under pressure and adapt fast-because you know change is constant, and that's where the opportunity lives.

The Role

You'll lead creative strategy and execution for major energy-sector clients inside a large, mission-driven creative studio. From integrated campaigns to social content to video storytelling, your work will span platforms and push thinking.

You'll collaborate with writers, designers, strategists, and account leads to produce work that's as effective as it is ambitious. You'll help steer the creative product and the team-guiding everything from pitch decks to production with rigor, speed, and creative edge.

Location

For select accounts, we are seeking candidates based in the Philadelphia or New Jersey area who can bring strong local market knowledge and connect with clients and communities in the region.

What You'll Do

• Lead creative for top-tier energy accounts, translating briefs into breakthrough ideas
• Develop multi-channel campaigns-digital, social, video, experiential, and earned
• Mentor and direct creative teams toward high-impact execution
• Present work persuasively to internal and external stakeholders
• Operate with urgency, quality, and focus across simultaneous workstreams
• Bring a growth mindset-adapting to tech, tools, platforms, and shifting priorities
• Help shape a culture of creative excellence and collaboration

Required Qualifications

• 12+ years of creative experience (agency or studio), including senior-level leadership
• A portfolio that showcases standout conceptual and executional work

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in energy, sustainability, or behavior-change campaigns (preferred)
• Fluency in emerging creative tech, including AI-supported workflows
• Strong strategic thinking and communication skills
• Comfort leading in dynamic, high-pressure environments
• A reputation for being collaborative, sharp, and easy to follow
• Visionary thinking grounded in strategy
• Ability to inspire, teach, and bring people with you
• Confidence in selling bold ideas
• Agility in the face of change
• Passion for the craft-design, storytelling, and everything in between
• Drive to lead with excellence, empathy, and urgency

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but 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