Associate Creative Director, Art

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Associate Creative Director, Art

🔹 Company: DEPT®

🔹 Location: United States

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Advertising & Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: April 25, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading a dedicated creative team for a high-profile, fast-moving client
• Owning creative output end-to-end and guiding cross-channel video-forward work
• Partnering with an ACD, Copy, to translate marketing strategies into engaging, high-performance creative
• Directing a team of talented Art Directors and executing projects
• Managing client communication, feedback loops, and team culture

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic, hands-on leader with a strong background in on-set global video production, content creation, and team management.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead a dedicated creative team, managing and mentoring Art Directors

✅ Serve as the primary creative point of contact, presenting work, receiving feedback, and translating client needs into actionable creative strategies

✅ Guide and execute video projects from content strategy to post-production, overseeing on-set shoots and managing creative quality

✅ Manage creative operations, workflows, resourcing, and prioritization

✅ Uphold brand guidelines, push creative boundaries, and ensure assets meet performance goals and quality expectations

✅ Anticipate roadblocks, manage shifting priorities, and bring proactive solutions to internal and client teams

✅ Own feedback loops, absorb client and stakeholder feedback, and relay direction to the team

✅ Drive team culture, lead with integrity, empathy, and accountability, and set the tone for collaboration, curiosity, and creative excellence

✅ Champion accountability and feedback, set clear goals, and ensure they are tracked, measured, and met

ASSUMPION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy, requiring strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Fine Arts, or a related field

Experience: 10+ years of experience in visual design, with a strong focus on digital advertising, social content, and branding

Experience: 5+ years of agency experience, including work on a large-scale or high-volume account

Experience: 3+ years of managing creative teams, with a proven track record of developing talent and leading through change

Experience: Extensive on-set and content production experience, including leading video shoots and directing production partners

Required Skills:

• Proficient in Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, After Effects, XD or Sketch, Figma, Invision, Google Suite, and Microsoft Suite
• Strong instincts for visual storytelling and deep knowledge of video production processes
• Ability to navigate large organizations and multiple stakeholders without losing your voice
• Keen eye for detail and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong communication, presentation, and client leadership skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Preferred Skills:

• Experience at a performance marketing agency
• Experience with time tracking, project management software, and other team communication tools

ASSUMPION: Candidates with experience in relevant software tools and a strong portfolio showcasing their eye for design, range in digital and video, and ability to turn strategy into scroll-stopping creative will be highly sought after.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $106,900 - $135,000 (based on a 40-hour workweek and leveling)

Benefits:

• Healthcare, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 401k plan, plus matching
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Company Holidays
• Parental Leave

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for the role

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on a range of factors that include relevant experience, expertise, physical location, and organizational impact. The company is flexible and open to negotiation.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Advertising & Marketing

Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees (mid-size)

Founded: 2006 (19 years ago)

Company Description:

• DEPT® is a pioneering technology and marketing services company that creates end-to-end digital experiences for brands such as Google, KFC, Philips, Audi, Twitch, Patagonia, eBay, and more.
• The company has a team of 4,000+ digital specialists across 30+ locations on 5 continents, delivering pioneering work on a global scale with a boutique culture.
• DEPT® is committed to making a positive impact on the planet and has been Climate Neutral and B Corporation certified since 2021.

Company Specialties:

• Digital Craftmanship
• Campaigns
• Social
• Data Driven Marketing
• B2B Marketing
• Digital Marketing
• Creativity
• Technology
• Strategy
• Digital
• Brand
• Advertising
• Design
• Data
• Intelligence
• Organisation
• UX
• Agency
• Content
• Digital Products
• and AI

Company Website: www.deptagency.com

ASSUMPTION: DEPT® offers a unique blend of global scale and boutique culture, providing opportunities for growth, innovation, and making a positive impact on the planet.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior/Management

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Creative Director or similar role, overseeing a team of Art Directors and collaborating with an ACD, Copy.

Work Arrangement: Remote OK, with flexibility for the role

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to lead creative output for additional clients or expand into new markets
• Opportunities to mentor and develop junior team members
• Possibility to take on additional responsibilities or move into a leadership role within the organization

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to make a substantial impact on the company's creative output and client relationships.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (remote work available)

Office Location(s): United States (with flexibility for remote work)

Geographic Context:

• The United States offers a large and diverse market for advertising and marketing services, with numerous opportunities for growth and innovation.
• The country has a strong economy and a well-established infrastructure, providing a stable environment for businesses to operate.
• The United States is also home to many Fortune 500 companies and global brands, offering ample opportunities for collaboration and partnership.

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for the role

ASSUMPTION: The United States offers a dynamic and competitive market for advertising and marketing professionals, with ample opportunities for growth and innovation.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume submission
• Phone or video screen with the HR team
• Creative challenge or case study presentation
• In-depth interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
• Final interview with the Creative Director or similar role
• Background check and offer

Key Assessment Areas:

• Creativity and visual storytelling skills
• Problem-solving and strategic thinking
• Communication and presentation skills
• Leadership and team management abilities
• Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced environment

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
• Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your design, digital, and video work
• Be ready to discuss your creative process, problem-solving approach, and leadership style
• Research the company and client to demonstrate your understanding of their brand and market position
• Practice presenting your work and be prepared to answer questions about your creative choices and design rationale

ATS Keywords: Visual Design, Digital Advertising, Social Content, Branding, Creative Team Management, Video Production, Client Leadership, Creative Problem Solving, Storytelling, Content Strategy, Creative Operations, Feedback Management, Collaboration, Mentoring, Project Management, Design Software Proficiency

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a strong focus on creative skills, leadership abilities, and cultural fit.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Photoshop
• InDesign
• Illustrator
• After Effects
• XD or Sketch
• Figma
• Invision
• Google Suite (Slides, Sheets, Docs)
• Microsoft Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel)
• Appreciation of social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Snapchat, TikTok, Pinterest)
• Mac platform proficiency
• Slack

ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in these tools is required for the role, with a strong emphasis on design software and project management platforms.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Pioneering: Always leaning forward, thinking of what we can create tomorrow that does not exist today
• Collaborative: Working together to achieve more, with an open-door, best-idea-wins environment
• Open: Transparent and honest communication, with a focus on personal and company growth
• Purpose-driven: Committed to making a positive impact on the world and helping brands stay ahead

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and dynamic, with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement
• Collaborative and open, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and knowledge-sharing
• Focused on results and delivering high-quality creative output
• Committed to personal and professional growth, with a strong emphasis on learning and development

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with DEPT®'s value of being pioneering, and what specific examples can you provide from your past experiences?
• How do you approach collaboration and teamwork, and can you share an example of a successful collaborative project you've worked on?
• How do you balance personal growth and professional development with delivering high-quality creative output, and can you provide an example of a time when you had to prioritize one over the other?

ASSUMPTION: DEPT® values candidates who are passionate about their work, committed to personal and professional growth, and eager to make a positive impact on the world.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a team remotely, with the need to maintain a strong creative output and team culture
• Balancing the demands of a high-profile, fast-moving client with the need to maintain a healthy work-life balance
• Navigating a dynamic and ever-changing market, with a constant need to adapt and innovate
• Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously, with a high degree of autonomy and minimal supervision

ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong leadership, communication, and time management skills, as well as the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role differs from related positions in its focus on leading a dedicated creative team for a single, high-impact client, with a strong emphasis on client communication and collaboration
• Industry-specific context: The advertising and marketing industry is dynamic and competitive, with a constant need to adapt and innovate
• Career path comparison: This role offers significant growth potential, with opportunities to lead creative output for additional clients or expand into new markets

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of leadership, client management, and creative execution, with ample opportunities for growth and development.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive brand guide and visual identity system for a major client
• Creating a series of high-impact video campaigns for a global brand, from concept to post-production
• Designing and executing a large-scale social media campaign, including content creation, scheduling, and analytics

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and skills required for this role, with a strong emphasis on creative problem-solving, leadership, and team management.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the creative team structure and how this role fits within the organization?
• How does the company support the growth and development of its creative team members?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does the company approach client communication and collaboration, and what are the expectations for this role?
• What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how has the company supported previous team members in overcoming them?

ASSUMPTION: These questions help applicants better understand the role, the company culture, and the expectations for success in this position.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the following link: https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/dept/jobs/6831891
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role
• Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your design, digital, and video work, with a focus on your creative process and problem-solving approach
• Be ready to discuss your leadership style, team management approach, and client communication skills
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application, inquiring about the status of your application and expressing your continued interest in the role

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