Freelance Associate Director - Creative

Jobgether SRL; United States; Remote; USD 124,000 - 152,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work from the United States

Competitive compensation (US remote)

Creative ownership on high-visibility

Mentorship and professional growth

AI tooling exploration

Inclusive culture and collaboration

Purpose-driven work

Job summary

Partner Company is seeking a Freelance Associate Director - Creative to shape the visual identity and creative direction for leading brands. You will oversee high-profile projects across digital, social, film, and experiential channels, delivering visually compelling campaigns while mentoring emerging talent.

As a remote freelance role based in the United States, you will blend hands-on design expertise with strategic thinking and explore AI-powered tools to enhance workflows and outcomes.

Qualifications

• At least five years of experience in art direction or design.
• Strong visual craft across platforms and formats.
• Experience leading small creative teams or managing freelancers.
• Expert-level knowledge of Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, plus motion design and/or AI tools.

Responsibilities

• Define and elevate visual direction: Lead art direction for major client accounts and flagship projects, ensuring design standards are met.
• Lead and mentor creative talent: Guide junior and mid-level art directors and designers with actionable feedback.
• Oversee integrated visual storytelling: Shape visual expression across film, digital, social, and physical environments.
• Manage creative production: Direct production from selecting photographers to color grading and motion design.
• Present and defend creative concepts: Articulate design systems and rationale in client meetings.
• Improve creative processes and standards: Refine workflows and explore AI-driven technologies.
• Foster a collaborative creative culture: Encourage collaboration, experimentation, and learning.

Skills

Art direction

Design

Typography

Brand storytelling

Creative leadership

Tools

Figma

Adobe Creative Suite

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign

Motion design

AI-powered tools

Job description

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Freelance Associate Director - Creative based in the United States.As a Freelance Associate Director - Creative, you will shape the visual identity and creative direction of leading brands, bringing ambitious concepts to life through outstanding design and art direction. You will oversee high-profile projects and integrated campaigns, ensuring visual excellence across digital, social, film, and experiential channels. Combining hands-on creative expertise with strategic thinking, you will translate big ideas into compelling visual experiences that deliver on business objectives. You will also mentor emerging creative talent, fostering a culture of collaboration, experimentation, and continuous improvement. Working closely with creative leadership and clients, you will influence creative standards, champion innovative workflows, and explore emerging AI-powered tools. This remote freelance opportunity is ideal for a visionary creative leader passionate about craftsmanship, storytelling, and pushing the boundaries of design.

Accountabilities

• Define and elevate visual direction: Lead art direction for major client accounts, pitches, and flagship projects, ensuring exceptional standards in design, typography, composition, and overall visual quality.
• Lead and mentor creative talent: Guide junior and mid-level art directors and designers, providing actionable, craft-focused feedback that strengthens their skills, encourages experimentation, and develops their individual creative perspectives.
• Oversee integrated visual storytelling: Shape the visual expression of big ideas across multiple channels, maintaining a consistent and compelling brand experience across film, digital, social, and physical environments.
• Manage creative production: Direct the visual production process, from selecting photographers and directors to supervising color grading, retouching, and motion design, ensuring the final deliverables align with the original creative vision.
• Present and defend creative concepts: Serve as the visual authority in client meetings, confidently presenting design systems and art direction while explaining the strategic rationale behind creative decisions.
• Improve creative processes and standards: Collaborate with creative leadership to refine design workflows, establish quality benchmarks, and identify emerging tools and AI-driven technologies that enhance creative capabilities.
• Foster a collaborative creative culture: Encourage inclusive collaboration, knowledge sharing, experimentation, and continuous development while maintaining a strong commitment to visual excellence.

Requirements

• Relevant professional experience: At least five years of experience in art direction or design within a creative agency, high-growth brand environment, or a related field.
• Strong visual craft: Demonstrated expertise in art direction, layout, typography, composition, and integrated visual storytelling across a variety of platforms and formats.
• Creative leadership: Experience leading small creative teams or managing the work of freelancers and junior designers, with the ability to provide constructive feedback and elevate creative output.
• Technical proficiency: Expert-level knowledge of Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, alongside experience with motion design and/or AI-powered image-generation tools.
• Strategic creative thinking: The ability to connect visual decisions—including color palettes, imagery, casting, and composition—to client business objectives, audience needs, and brand identity.
• Communication and presentation skills: Confidence in articulating complex visual concepts to clients and non-design stakeholders, presenting ideas persuasively, and building alignment around creative direction.
• Collaborative mindset: A proactive, curious, and adaptable approach to creative problem-solving, with a commitment to inclusive teamwork, experimentation, and continuous learning.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation: An anticipated US remote rate of $90-110 USD per hour, depending on relevant experience, expertise, geographic location, and the scope of responsibility. The stated range is based on a 40-hour workweek and role leveling.
• Remote flexibility: Work remotely from the United States, with flexibility built into the working arrangement.
• Creative ownership: Take the lead on high-visibility creative projects and help shape the visual direction of ambitious brands.
• Professional development: Mentor emerging creative talent, collaborate with experienced creative leaders, and contribute to the evolution of design practices and workflows.
• Innovation and experimentation: Explore new creative technologies, including AI-driven tools, to expand creative possibilities and improve production processes.
• Inclusive working environment: Join a team culture that values diverse perspectives, collaboration, accessibility, and the freedom to express individual creativity.
• Purpose-driven work: Contribute to creative initiatives that aim to make a meaningful impact while supporting responsible and forward-thinking business practices.

We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!