📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Creative Director, Art
🔹 Company: Daniel J. Edelman Holdings
🔹 Location: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Creative & Design
🔹 Date Posted: April 22, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Conceptualizing and executing integrated campaigns across various media
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including strategy, project management, and influencers
- Managing multiple projects and providing direction to team members
- Presenting creative ideas to clients and driving the approval process
- Working with external vendors and internal colleagues to complete projects within timeframe and budget
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, strong presentation skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. It is ideal for someone with experience in advertising or art direction who is passionate about trends in social, fashion, beauty, home decor, and design.
📋 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
✅ 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: The role involves a high level of creativity and collaboration, requiring the ability to work effectively with various teams and stakeholders.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Fine Arts, Advertising, or Graphic Design
Experience: At least 6 years of experience managing day-to-day changes at every level of detail and handling them with a team-oriented, entrepreneurial spirit
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in advertising, art direction, and a portfolio of ideas demonstrating strong design, layout, and composition, with a keen eye for photography, typography, and color
- Strong, persuasive presentation skills to sell in creative work to internal and external stakeholders
- 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
- 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
- Experience maintaining client contact as needed, building camaraderie to develop trusting relationships
- The 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
- On-site production/art direction experience for events, activations as well as video, digital, and social platforms
- Pride in your previous work and the ability to speak to it clearly and concisely during the interview process
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in advertising or art direction, with a portfolio showcasing recent campaigns and excellent presentation skills.
💰 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, typically 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for this role and experience level. The total compensation package may also include annual bonuses and region-specific benefits.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Public Relations and Communications
Company Size: 2-10 employees (Small company, offering a close-knit team environment with opportunities for growth and impact)
Founded: 1952 (Over 70 years of experience in the industry)
Company Description:
- Edelman is a global communications firm that partners with businesses and organizations to evolve, promote, and protect their brands
- The company is committed to creating a voice synonymous with trust, reimagining a future where the currency of communication is action
- Edelman’s culture thrives on three promises: boldness is possibility, empathy is progress, and curiosity is momentum
Company Specialties:
- Public Relations
- Branding
- Digital Marketing
- Crisis Communications
Company Website: https://www.edelman.com/
ASSUMPTION: Edelman is a well-established company with a strong reputation in the public relations and communications industry. Working here offers the opportunity to collaborate with experienced professionals and contribute to high-profile campaigns.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level (This role offers the opportunity to grow and take on more responsibilities as you gain experience)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to creative leadership and works collaboratively with various teams, including strategy, project management, and influencers
Work Arrangement: On-site (The role requires regular on-site presence for collaboration and production purposes)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to take on more responsibilities and advance to a senior role as you gain experience
- Opportunity to work on high-profile campaigns and contribute to the company’s success
- Chance to develop skills in various aspects of communications, including social media, digital design, and experiential marketing
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to grow both personally and professionally, working on high-profile campaigns and collaborating with experienced team members.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Creative agency environment (The office is designed to foster creativity and collaboration)
Office Location(s): Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Geographic Context:
- Chicago: A vibrant city with a rich cultural scene, offering a mix of urban and suburban living options
- Los Angeles: A bustling city known for its entertainment industry, offering diverse neighborhoods and a Mediterranean climate
- New York: A global hub for finance, fashion, and culture, offering a fast-paced environment and endless opportunities
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week (Flexible hours may be available to accommodate project demands)
ASSUMPTION: The office environment is designed to encourage creativity and collaboration, with opportunities to work on high-profile campaigns and contribute to the company’s success.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the creative team
- Final interview with senior leadership
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creativity and portfolio presentation
- Presentation skills and ability to sell creative ideas
- Collaboration and teamwork skills
- Problem-solving and time management skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant experience and skills
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your design skills and creative concepts
- Practice your presentation skills and be ready to sell your ideas effectively
- Research the company and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the role and company values
ATS Keywords: Art Direction, Creative Concepting, Campaign Development, Social Media, Digital Design, Presentation Skills, Collaboration, Project Management, Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, Photography, Typography, Color Theory, Client Relations, Team Leadership, Time Management
ASSUMPTION: The application process is designed to assess your creativity, presentation skills, and ability to collaborate effectively with the team. Be prepared to discuss your portfolio and how your skills and experience align with the role and company values.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Figma
- PowerPoint
- Microsoft Office Suite
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with industry-standard design software and tools is essential for this role. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma is required, while experience with Microsoft Office Suite is preferred.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Boldness is possibility
- Empathy is progress
- Curiosity is momentum
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Entrepreneurial spirit and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Strong presentation skills and ability to sell creative ideas
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a strong portfolio showcasing your design skills and creative concepts?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple projects simultaneously?
- Do you have excellent presentation skills and the ability to sell creative ideas effectively?
ASSUMPTION: Edelman values creativity, collaboration, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Candidates who align with these values and possess strong presentation skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously will thrive in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects simultaneously and meeting tight deadlines
- Working effectively with various teams and stakeholders, including clients
- Adapting to a fast-paced and dynamic work environment
- Competing with other talented creatives for recognition and advancement opportunities
ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges and opportunities for growth. Candidates should be prepared to manage multiple projects simultaneously, work effectively with various teams, and adapt to a fast-paced work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Art Director: Similar role with a focus on visual design and art direction, rather than campaign development and management
- Creative Director: Higher-level role with more strategic responsibilities and oversight of the creative team
- Senior Art Director: Similar role with more experience required and additional responsibilities, such as mentoring junior team members
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of creative and management responsibilities, requiring a strong portfolio, excellent presentation skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
📝 Sample Projects
- Conceptualizing and executing a social media campaign for a retail client, including designing visual assets and developing a content strategy
- Creating a brand identity for a new product launch, including logo design, color palette, and typography
- Managing a team to produce a video campaign for a non-profit organization, including storyboarding, casting, and post-production
ASSUMPTION: Sample projects should demonstrate your ability to conceptualize and execute creative campaigns, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and work effectively with various teams.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and how this role fits within the creative department?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the creative team currently, and how can this role help address them?
- 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 measure the success of its creative campaigns, and how will my performance be evaluated?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and provides valuable insights into the company culture and expectations.
📌 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
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your design skills and creative concepts
- Practice your presentation skills and be ready to sell your ideas effectively
- Research the company and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the role and company values
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
