Freelance Creative Director: Earned-First, Culture-Savvy

Interpublic; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Omnicom’s Weber Shandwick is seeking a Freelance Creative Director in a hybrid Chicago role. You’ll lead earned-first ideas across art or copy, shaping culture and conversation for major brands. The role blends strategy, account, media relations, social, and analytics to bring bold ideas to life.

You will guide multidisciplinary teams, maintain a strong visual or narrative point of view, and work flexibly in a fast-moving environment while staying close to cultural signals. Portfolio required.

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of experience in art direction, design, copywriting, or creative leadership.
• Earned-led campaigns track record showing what makes ideas newsworthy, shareable and relevant beyond paid placements.
• Strong conceptual strength to find and shape original ideas for multiple platforms.
• Curiosity about people, platforms, creators, communities, conversations and trends.
• Collaborative leadership guiding multidisciplinary teams and improving work through direction.
• Craft-focused mindset with a clear visual or textual point of view depending on your discipline.
• Freelance flexibility to ramp up quickly and maintain momentum with teams.
• A sense of humor and resilience to navigate the internet and client needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the idea from initial spark to finished work with clear creative direction.
• Develop earned-first concepts designed to generate attention, conversation, and participation.
• Collaborate with strategy, account, media relations, social, and analytics to shape integrated ideas.
• Guide teams, sharpen thinking, raise craft, and ensure the idea matters.
• Stay close to culture by tracking platforms, subcultures, and conversations shaping the news cycle.
• Present ideas with clarity and conviction, explaining why they earn attention.

Skills

Creative leadership

Earned-first experience

Conceptual strength

Cultural curiosity

Collaborative leadership

Craft in your discipline

Freelance flexibility

A sense of humor

Job description

Omnicom’s Weber Shandwick is seeking a Freelance Creative Director in a hybrid Chicago role. You’ll lead earned-first ideas across art or copy, shaping culture and conversation for major brands. The role blends strategy, account, media relations, social, and analytics to bring bold ideas to life.

You will guide multidisciplinary teams, maintain a strong visual or narrative point of view, and work flexibly in a fast-moving environment while staying close to cultural signals. Portfolio required.