Creative Director (Art), Energy Sector

ICF Next; Trenton (NJ); Remote; USD 131,000 - 223,000; Full time

Job summary

ICF Next is seeking a Creative Director to lead creative strategy and execution for major energy-sector clients, guiding campaigns from concept through production across digital, social, video and experiential.

You will collaborate with writers, designers, strategists, and account leads, steer the creative product with rigor and pace, and mentor teams while delivering bold ideas under high pressure in a mission-driven studio.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead creative strategy and execution for major energy-sector clients.
• Translate briefs into breakthrough ideas for multi-channel campaigns.
• 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.

Skills

Creative leadership

Portfolio development

Storytelling

Design direction

Tools

AI workflows

Job description

Description

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

What You Bring

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 EE0 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 Candidate [e-mail] and we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

Read more about workplace discrimination rights or our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in‑person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at [e-mail]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Pay Range

There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full‑time employment is:

$131,256.00 - $223,134.00

Nationwide Remote Office (US99)