Lead Art Director & Concept Strategist

M+C Saatchi SSK; New York (NY); On-site; USD 175,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

M+C Saatchi SSK is seeking an experienced Associate Creative Director (Art Focus) to shape our creative output and lead art direction across campaigns. You will balance hands-on design with team leadership, partnering with copy leads and strategists to deliver integrated, visually stunning ideas.

You will mentor junior talent, drive concepts, and ensure high craft across digital, social, broadcast, and print. The role requires strong presentation skills and a strategic design eye.

Qualifications

• 6–9 years of experience in art direction/design within an advertising agency or creative environment.
• Strong portfolio showcasing integrated campaigns and design excellence across multiple channels.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and familiarity with design/prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch).
• Deep understanding of typography, layout, color, photography direction, and emerging design trends.
• Experience working across digital, social, and traditional media.
• Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate creative ideas.
• Experience mentoring and providing creative direction to junior talent.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Creative Directors to lead the art direction and design vision across multiple accounts.
• Drive development of campaign concepts, mood boards, storyboards, style frames, and visual systems.
• Inspire and oversee junior and mid-level art directors/designers, elevating their craft.
• Generate fresh, innovative ideas for integrated campaigns (digital, social, broadcast, experiential, print, OOH).
• Contribute hands‑on art direction and design, ensuring craft and attention to detail in all deliverables.
• Direct photography, illustration, video shoots, and other production elements to ensure strong visual storytelling.
• Partner closely with copy‑focused ACDs, strategists, and producers to develop unified campaign ideas.
• Work with account management to align creative solutions with client objectives and brand strategy.
• Collaborate with external production partners to execute campaigns at the highest level.
• Confidently present creative concepts and design rationale to clients.
• Build trust with clients by providing thoughtful, strategic, and visually compelling solutions.
• Mentor junior team members, providing constructive feedback and guidance.
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative, and design-driven creative culture.

Skills

Adobe Creative Suite

Figma

Sketch

Typography

Layout

Communication & Presentation

Mentoring

Tools

Figma

Sketch

Prototyping tools

Job description

M+C Saatchi SSK is seeking an experienced Associate Creative Director (Art Focus) to shape our creative output and lead art direction across campaigns. You will balance hands-on design with team leadership, partnering with copy leads and strategists to deliver integrated, visually stunning ideas.

You will mentor junior talent, drive concepts, and ensure high craft across digital, social, broadcast, and print. The role requires strong presentation skills and a strategic design eye.