Associate Creative Director

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Associate Creative Director

🔹 Company: Elmwood Brand Consultancy

🔹 Location: Singapore

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid (2 office days per week)

🔹 Category: Design Services

🔹 Date Posted: April 28, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading and inspiring a creative team to deliver award-winning work
• Collaborating with the Executive Creative Director and other departments to set the vision for the Singapore studio
• Managing client relationships and driving new business opportunities
• Generating innovative concepts and pushing creative boundaries
• Mentoring and developing team members to help them grow professionally

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of creative leadership, strategic thinking, and commercial awareness to drive impactful results for clients and the agency.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead and inspire a team of creatives, providing mentorship and guidance to designers and other team members

✅ Foster a collaborative and inclusive environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and cross-functional teamwork

✅ Develop and lead creative strategies that align with client objectives and brand vision, while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible

✅ Generate and lead the development of big ideas that push boundaries and challenge the brief, delivered with detail, craft, and exceptional creativity

✅ Oversee the creation and execution of brand-first, creative concepts from ideation through to final delivery, ensuring they meet both the creative brief and client expectations

✅ Manage multiple projects simultaneously, overseeing the creative process to ensure timely delivery of exceptional work that exceeds client expectations

✅ Champion the creation of high-quality case studies and award entries, showcasing Elmwood’s work and its impact on clients’ brands

✅ Develop strong and lasting relationships with key clients, stakeholders, and suppliers, establishing yourself as a trusted creative partner

✅ Represent Elmwood at client meetings, confidently presenting ideas and driving discussions that inspire confidence and build trust

✅ Actively contribute to the studio’s reputation by managing PR, networking, and marketing initiatives to raise Elmwood’s profile within the industry

✅ Take ownership of the creative budget and resources, ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to the highest standard

✅ Show commercial leadership by identifying new opportunities to drive revenue through the expansion of project scope and supporting new business

✅ Keep abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and consumer insights to enhance Elmwood’s creative offerings and ensure the agency remains at the forefront of innovation

✅ Maximize the creative output on projects by overseeing the team’s workflow and ensuring that new opportunities are capitalized upon

✅ Drive the development of Elmwood’s creative vision and direction, ensuring it remains fresh, innovative, and aligned with market trends and client needs

✅ Continuously learn and stay informed about new systems, processes, and creative tools to enhance the studio’s capabilities and improve efficiency

✅ Actively contribute to the studio’s internal development programs, including the delivery of presentations for the L&D program and fostering a culture of learning

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a mix of creative, strategic, and leadership skills to excel in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Fine Arts, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: Proven experience (5-10 years) in a creative leadership role within a brand design environment, with a portfolio showcasing a wide range of successful brand creation and activations across identity, packaging, and the wider brand world

Required Skills:

• Exceptional creative skills with a keen eye for design, typography, and storytelling
• Strong conceptual thinking with the ability to generate bold, fresh ideas tailored to specific client needs across multiple platforms
• Excellent presentation skills with the confidence and eloquence to sell ideas effectively to clients, stakeholders, and internal teams
• A strategic and commercial mindset with experience in managing budgets, resources, and deadlines
• Ability to provide clear, constructive feedback to team members while motivating them to push their creative boundaries
• A deep understanding of print, digital, motion design, with up-to-date knowledge of industry trends and emerging technologies
• A natural leader who can guide, inspire, and develop a team, helping them grow both creatively and professionally

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in a global agency environment
• Fluency in multiple languages
• Experience in managing and mentoring junior creatives

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong portfolio demonstrating their creative prowess and strategic thinking in brand design.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: SGD 120,000 - 160,000 per annum (Estimated, based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location)

Benefits:

• Agency Retreats
• Birthday Leave
• Hybrid working environment
• Group Health Insurance
• Group Personal Accident Insurance
• Curated Learning & Development opportunities
• Annual festivities, along with various social events throughout the year
• Fun Studio environment working alongside great and talented individuals
• 'Recharge Friday' every two weeks, providing team members a half-day off on Fridays to promote well-being and rejuvenation

Working Hours: Full-time, with flexible hours and a hybrid work arrangement (2 office days per week)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's qualifications and the company's internal structures.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Elmwood is a global brand design consultancy working locally in London, New York, Shanghai, and Singapore. With over 40 years of experience, they serve prestigious clients such as Unilever, Haleon, Kimberly-Clark, Heineken, Danone, and Mars.

Company Size: Elmwood has 51-200 employees globally, with a smaller team in Singapore. This size allows for a more intimate work environment while still offering the resources and opportunities of a larger agency.

Founded: 1977, with a rich history of design excellence and innovation

Company Description:

• Elmwood believes that tension is at the heart of powerful brands. They harness its energy to create transformative design solutions.
• The agency offers a wide range of services, including graphic packaging design, corporate communications, web design, naming, copywriting, brand strategy, brand architecture, marketing, brand identity, corporate identity, brand activation, brand experience, communications design, brand positioning, marketing innovation, digital marketing, digital design, animation, brand films, design, campaigns, and new product/service launch.
• Elmwood fosters a collaborative and inclusive work environment, encouraging creativity, innovation, and cross-functional teamwork.

Company Specialties:

• Brand strategy and positioning
• Brand identity and design
• Packaging design
• Campaign development
• Digital and motion design
• Brand activation and experience
• Naming and copywriting

Company Website: https://www.elmwood.com

ASSUMPTION: Elmwood's global presence and diverse client base offer candidates the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects and gain international exposure.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid to Senior level, with the opportunity for growth and progression within the agency

Reporting Structure: The Associate Creative Director will report directly to the Executive Creative Director and work closely with other department heads to drive creative projects and initiatives

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with 2 office days per week, offering a balance between remote work and in-person collaboration

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to Executive Creative Director or other leadership roles within the agency
• Expanding creative responsibilities and leading larger teams
• Gaining international experience by working on global projects or transferring to other Elmwood offices

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of creative leadership, strategic thinking, and client management, providing a strong foundation for career growth within the agency.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative workspace with a focus on creativity and innovation

Office Location(s): 150 Beach Road, #01-02 Gateway West, Singapore 189720

Geographic Context:

• Singapore is a global hub for business, finance, and technology, offering a multicultural environment and numerous networking opportunities
• The office is located in the Central Business District, providing easy access to public transportation, amenities, and dining options
• Singapore's tropical climate and lush greenery offer a pleasant work environment year-round

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and a hybrid work arrangement (2 office days per week, with the remaining days worked remotely)

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between in-person collaboration and remote work, allowing for greater flexibility and work-life balance.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the HR department
• Creative portfolio presentation and interview with the Executive Creative Director
• Final interview with the Managing Director or another senior leader

Key Assessment Areas:

• Creative portfolio and problem-solving skills
• Strategic thinking and understanding of brand design principles
• Leadership and team management abilities
• Communication and presentation skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with Elmwood's values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare a strong creative portfolio showcasing your best work and explaining your thought process behind each project
• Research Elmwood's clients, projects, and values to demonstrate your understanding of the agency and its culture
• Be prepared to discuss your approach to creative leadership, team management, and client relationships

ATS Keywords: Brand Design, Creative Leadership, Strategic Thinking, Client Management, Portfolio, Brand Strategy, Packaging Design, Campaign Development, Digital Design, Motion Design

ASSUMPTION: Elmwood's recruitment process is designed to assess candidates' creative skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit, with a focus on finding the best fit for both the candidate and the agency.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Sketch, Figma, or other design software
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
• Communication and collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be proficient in industry-standard design software and comfortable learning and adapting to new tools as needed.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Creativity: Elmwood fosters a culture of innovation and encourages team members to push creative boundaries
• Collaboration: The agency values teamwork and cross-functional collaboration to deliver exceptional results
• Integrity: Elmwood is committed to acting with honesty, transparency, and fairness in all aspects of its business

Work Style:

• Elmwood encourages a flexible and adaptable work style, with a focus on delivering high-quality results
• The agency values a positive, can-do attitude and a willingness to learn and grow
• Elmwood fosters a supportive and inclusive work environment, where team members feel valued and empowered to succeed

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a creative, collaborative environment that encourages innovation and pushes boundaries?
• Are you comfortable managing and mentoring a team, providing clear direction and constructive feedback?
• Do you have a strategic mindset and the ability to balance creative excellence with commercial awareness?
• Are you comfortable working in a hybrid environment, balancing remote work and in-person collaboration?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should assess their alignment with Elmwood's values and work style to ensure a strong cultural fit.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously, requiring strong organizational skills and time management
• Balancing creative leadership responsibilities with hands-on design work, as needed
• Adapting to a hybrid work environment, requiring effective communication and collaboration with remote team members
• Navigating a global agency environment, with diverse clients and projects

ASSUMPTION: These challenges offer opportunities for growth and development, as well as the chance to make a significant impact on Elmwood's creative output and client relationships.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other Associate Creative Director roles, this position offers a unique blend of creative leadership, strategic thinking, and client management responsibilities
• Elmwood's global presence and diverse client base provide opportunities for international exposure and a wide range of projects
• Career progression in this role may lead to leadership positions within the agency, with opportunities to expand creative responsibilities and lead larger teams

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider their career goals and preferences when comparing this role to similar positions in the industry.

📝 Sample Projects

• Reimagining a well-known brand's packaging design to enhance its appeal and stand out on shelves
• Developing a comprehensive brand strategy and identity for a newly launched product, including logo design, color palette, typography, and tone of voice
• Creating a cohesive visual language and design system for a global technology company, ensuring consistency across all touchpoints and platforms

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of creative challenges and opportunities available in this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does the Executive Creative Director support and empower the Associate Creative Director in driving creative projects and initiatives?
• What opportunities are there for growth and progression within the agency, and how has this been supported in the past?
• How does Elmwood foster a culture of collaboration and cross-functional teamwork, and what role does the Associate Creative Director play in this?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days, and how will success be measured?
• How does Elmwood support work-life balance, and what resources are available to help team members manage their time effectively?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and provides valuable information to help you make an informed decision.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare a strong creative portfolio showcasing your best work and explaining your thought process behind each project
• Research Elmwood's clients, projects, and values to demonstrate your understanding of the agency and its culture
• Follow up with the HR department one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.