📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Creative Director - Art
🔹 Company: Daniel J. Edelman Holdings
🔹 Location: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Advertising & Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: April 28, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Conceptualizing and leading integrated campaigns across various media, with a focus on social and digital platforms
- Collaborating with creative leadership and other specialties to develop earned-first, social-by-design campaign ideas
- Managing multiple projects simultaneously and providing direction to team members as needed
- Working closely with project managers, production partners, and external vendors to ensure projects are completed within timeframes and budgets
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, strategic thinking, and strong presentation skills to sell in creative work to internal and external stakeholders.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Work in partnership with an Associate Creative Director, Copywriter, and creative leadership to concept and plan execution of integrated campaigns and programs across a wide range of media and platforms, especially social, digital, video, experiences, and content
✅ Create and design campaign ideas for client projects and new business pitches that are earned-first and social by design
✅ Work in concert with a wide range of specialties including account, strategy, project management, and influencer
✅ Develop tactics which bring creative concepts to life and achieve program objectives
✅ Manage multiple jobs simultaneously; managing and providing direction to other team members as needed
✅ Work closely with a project manager and production partners to schedule projects and coordinate production
✅ Prepare and present client creative presentations; Drive client approval process
✅ Work effectively with external vendors and internal colleagues to complete projects within timeframe and budget
ASSUMPTION: This role involves managing day-to-day changes at every level of detail and handling them with a team-oriented, entrepreneurial spirit.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Fine Arts, Advertising, or Graphic Design
Experience: At least 6 years of experience in art direction
Required Skills:
- Proven track record of big ideas and big wins
- Strong, persuasive presentation skills to sell in creative work to internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to collaborate with PMs and other departments to lead and move projects forward, assisting with budget and schedule development, and potentially managing junior creatives’ work
- Professional-level mastery of industry-standard design software and tools including the full suite of Adobe Creative Cloud, Powerpoint, and a working knowledge of Figma
Preferred Skills:
- A killer online portfolio with proven recent examples of social, traditional, earned, digital, and experiential campaigns
- Previous roles in advertising, art direction, and a portfolio of ideas demonstrating strong design, layout, and composition, with a keen eye for photography, typography, and color
- Experience maintaining client contact as needed, building camaraderie to develop trusting relationships
- Ability to prioritize and manage work, adhering to critical project timelines while maintaining a high-level of craft and detail in a fast-paced environment
- On-site production/art direction experience for events, activations as well as video, digital, and social platforms
- Pride in previous work and the ability to speak to it clearly and concisely during the interview process
ASSUMPTION: A strong portfolio showcasing recent work in various campaign types is crucial for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $86,000 - $133,000 a year
Benefits:
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision
- 401K
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Travel Assistance
- Wellness Programming
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for this role, experience level, and location. Actual compensation may vary based on several factors, including relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, travel requirements, revenue-based metrics, any contractual agreements, and business or organizational needs.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Edelman is a global communications firm that specializes in public relations, marketing, and branding. They are known for their innovative and creative approach to communication, with a focus on earned-first strategies.
Company Size: Small (2-10 employees)
Founded: 1952
Company Description:
- Edelman is a voice synonymous with trust, reimagining a future where the currency of communication is action.
- They thrive on three promises: boldness is possibility, empathy is progress, and curiosity is momentum.
- Edelman is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
Company Specialties:
- Public Relations
- Marketing
- Branding
- Creative Services
Company Website: https://www.edelman.com/
ASSUMPTION: Edelman's small size may offer a more intimate work environment with closer collaboration among team members.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to creative leadership and works in partnership with an Associate Creative Director, Copywriter, and other specialties.
Work Arrangement: On-site, with the possibility of hybrid or remote work depending on the client and project requirements.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to lead campaigns and mentor junior creatives
- Opportunities to work on high-profile clients and projects
- Possibility to advance to a Creative Director role with experience and strong performance
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a significant impact on the team and the agency.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Creative agency office environment
Office Location(s): Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Geographic Context:
- Chicago: Known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, with numerous museums, theaters, and music venues
- Los Angeles: A global hub for entertainment, media, and technology, with a diverse and dynamic cultural landscape
- New York: The cultural, financial, and media capital of the world, offering endless opportunities for inspiration and networking
Work Schedule: Full-time, with the possibility of flexible hours depending on project demands and client needs.
ASSUMPTION: The location and work environment for this role may vary depending on the specific office and client requirements.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the HR department
- In-person or virtual interview with the creative leadership team
- Portfolio review and presentation
- Final interview with the hiring manager
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creativity and strategic thinking
- Presentation skills and ability to sell in creative work
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Adaptability and problem-solving skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your best work, with a focus on social, digital, and earned campaigns
- Practice your presentation skills and be prepared to clearly and concisely articulate your creative process and thought behind your work
- Research Edelman's clients and company culture to demonstrate your fit and enthusiasm for the role
ATS Keywords: Art Direction, Creative Concepting, Social Media, Digital Campaigns, Collaboration, Presentation Skills, Project Management, Design Software, Photography, Typography, Color Theory, Client Relations, Teamwork, Creativity, Strategic Thinking, Fast-Paced Environment
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role may vary depending on the specific office and hiring manager.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro)
- Powerpoint
- Figma
- Social media platforms (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
- Project management tools (Asana, Trello, Jira)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the specific office and client needs.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Boldness is possibility
- Empathy is progress
- Curiosity is momentum
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Entrepreneurial and adaptable
- Fast-paced and dynamic
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment?
- Are you comfortable managing multiple projects simultaneously and providing direction to team members?
- Do you have a strong portfolio showcasing your creativity and strategic thinking in social, digital, and earned campaigns?
ASSUMPTION: Cultural fit is crucial for success in this role, as it requires strong collaboration, adaptability, and a shared commitment to Edelman's values.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects simultaneously and meeting tight deadlines
- Working effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders, including clients, account managers, and production partners
- Adapting to changes in project scope, timelines, and priorities
- Maintaining a high level of craft and detail in a fast-paced environment
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the role and require strong project management, communication, and adaptability skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other Art Director roles, this position offers a unique opportunity to work on high-profile clients and campaigns with a focus on earned-first, social-by-design strategies
- Edelman's small size may offer closer collaboration with creative leadership and other specialties, providing more opportunities for growth and mentorship
- This role may offer a faster career path to Creative Director for the right candidate, given Edelman's focus on internal promotion and development
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of creative and strategic opportunities, with a focus on earned-first, social-by-design campaigns.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a social media campaign for a new product launch, including concepting, design, and execution across multiple platforms
- Creating an integrated campaign for a non-profit organization, including earned, owned, and paid media components, to raise awareness and drive donations
- Designing and art directing a brand film for a global corporation, including concept development, storyboarding, and on-site production
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of creative and strategic opportunities available in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics for this role?
- How does Edelman support the growth and development of its creative team members?
- What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of working on the Unilever team for this role?
- How does Edelman approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in its creative process and team composition?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into the team dynamics, company culture, and expectations for this role.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your best work, with a focus on social, digital, and earned campaigns
- Practice your presentation skills and be prepared to clearly and concisely articulate your creative process and thought behind your work
- Research Edelman's clients and company culture to demonstrate your fit and enthusiasm for the role
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your final interview to express your continued interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
