📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Creative Director – Art & Design
🔹 Company: Microsoft
🔹 Location: Redmond, WA; Mountain View, CA; Atlanta, GA; New York, NY
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing & Advertising
🔹 Date Posted: June 2, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading visual storytelling across Microsoft’s commercial marketing efforts
- Guiding the visual expression of campaign work across various platforms
- Ensuring design quality, strategic relevance, and platform fluency in creative outputs
- Collaborating with marketing, brand, product, and social leads to craft audience-first assets
- Driving emotional connection and business impact through bold creative work
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in creative direction, art direction, and campaign development, with a focus on digital marketing and social media. Experience in brand strategy and audience engagement is also crucial.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead visual storytelling across Microsoft’s commercial marketing efforts
✅ Guide the visual expression of campaign work across social, digital, and emerging platforms
✅ Ensure design quality, strategic relevance, and platform fluency in all creative outputs
✅ Collaborate with marketing, brand, product, and social leads to craft audience-first assets
✅ Drive emotional connection and business impact through bold creative work
✅ Partner with marketing, brand, product, and social leads to craft audience-first assets that support the full customer journey
✅ Ensure that design quality, strategic relevance, and platform fluency are always front and center
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of collaboration and requires strong communication skills to work effectively with various teams and stakeholders.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Fine Arts, or a related field
Experience: 5-10 years of experience in creative direction, art direction, or a related role
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in creative direction and art direction
- Strong background in campaign development and digital marketing
- Expertise in brand strategy and audience engagement
- Fluency in design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma)
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with Microsoft products or services
- Familiarity with Unreal Engine or other game engines
- Background in gaming or game development
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, experience in the tech industry or familiarity with Microsoft's brand would be beneficial for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $120,000 - $180,000 per year (based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location)
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and employee stock purchase plans
- Generous time off, including vacation, sick leave, and company holidays
- Employee discounts on Microsoft products and services
- Opportunities for professional development and career growth
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with some flexibility for remote work
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 factors such as skills, experience, and market conditions.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Microsoft operates in the technology industry, with a focus on software, hardware, and services. The company is a leader in the development and distribution of operating systems, productivity software, and cloud services.
Company Size: Microsoft is a large corporation with over 436,000 employees worldwide. This size offers opportunities for career growth and exposure to diverse projects and teams.
Founded: Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. The company has a rich history of innovation and has played a significant role in shaping the technology industry.
Company Description:
- Microsoft is committed to empowering every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more
- The company fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning
- Microsoft values respect, integrity, and accountability, and is committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment
Company Specialties:
- Operating systems (Windows, macOS)
- Productivity software (Office Suite, Microsoft 365)
- Cloud services (Azure, Dynamics 365)
- Hardware (Surface, Xbox, HoloLens)
Company Website: www.microsoft.com
ASSUMPTION: Working at Microsoft offers opportunities to collaborate with talented professionals from diverse backgrounds and to contribute to high-impact projects that reach a global audience.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is a mid-level position, offering opportunities for growth and advancement within the creative team and the broader organization.
Reporting Structure: The Associate Creative Director – Art & Design will report directly to the Creative Director and work closely with marketing, brand, product, and social teams.
Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with the possibility of remote work for some tasks or days, depending on the specific needs of the project and the team.
Growth Opportunities:
- Advancement to a Senior or Executive Creative Director role
- Expansion into related roles, such as Creative Strategy or Brand Management
- Opportunities to lead or contribute to high-impact projects and campaigns
ASSUMPTION: Given Microsoft's size and diverse portfolio, there are numerous opportunities for career growth and development within the company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Microsoft's offices are modern, collaborative workspaces designed to foster creativity and innovation.
Office Location(s): Redmond, WA; Mountain View, CA; Atlanta, GA; New York, NY
Geographic Context:
- Redmond, WA: Located near Seattle, Redmond offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with easy access to outdoor recreation and cultural attractions
- Mountain View, CA: Situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, Mountain View is home to numerous tech companies and offers a vibrant startup culture
- Atlanta, GA: A major hub for business, finance, and culture, Atlanta offers a diverse range of neighborhoods and attractions
- New York, NY: A global center for finance, media, and entertainment, New York City offers unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and cultural experiences
Work Schedule: The work schedule is typically Monday through Friday, with some flexibility for remote work or adjusted hours based on project needs and team agreements.
ASSUMPTION: The location of this role offers opportunities to work in dynamic, multicultural environments and to engage with diverse communities and industries.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screen with a recruiter or HR representative
- Creative portfolio review and presentation
- On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and creative team
- Final interview with senior leadership
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creative portfolio and problem-solving skills
- Communication and collaboration skills
- Understanding of Microsoft's brand and products
- Alignment with Microsoft's values and company culture
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a strong cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the role and your fit with Microsoft's values
- Be ready to discuss your creative process, inspirations, and how you approach challenges
- Research Microsoft's recent campaigns and initiatives to show your familiarity with the brand
ATS Keywords: Creative Direction, Art Direction, Campaign Development, Digital Marketing, Social Media, Brand Strategy, Audience Engagement, Design Quality, Strategic Relevance, Platform Fluency, Integrated Campaigns, Real-Time Activations, Collaboration, Innovation, Growth Mindset
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, and applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their unique qualifications and fit with Microsoft's brand and values.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects)
- Sketch or Figma
- Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel)
- Microsoft 365
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with Microsoft's suite of products and services, as well as industry-standard creative tools, is essential for this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer Obsessed
- One Microsoft
- Growth Mindset
- Inclusive
- One Microsoft
Work Style:
- Collaborative and cross-functional teamwork
- Agile and iterative creative process
- Focus on continuous learning and improvement
- Data-driven decision making
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody Microsoft's values in your work and personal life?
- Describe a time when you had to adapt your creative approach to meet a client's needs or feedback
- How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and new tools in the creative field?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their alignment with Microsoft's values and company culture, as well as their ability to thrive in a collaborative, dynamic work environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Balancing creative vision with practical constraints and stakeholder feedback
- Adapting to a large, complex organization with diverse teams and stakeholders
- Keeping up with the fast-paced, ever-evolving tech industry
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to address these potential challenges and demonstrate their ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Creative Director or Art Director position in other industries, but may have more focus on digital marketing and social media
- In the tech industry, this role may have more emphasis on brand consistency and alignment with the company's broader product ecosystem
- Career progression in this role may involve moving into a leadership or management position, or specializing in a specific area of creative direction
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should research similar roles in other industries and companies to better understand the unique aspects of this position and how it fits within the broader creative and marketing landscape.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive visual identity for a new product launch
- Creating a series of social media campaigns to promote an existing product or service
- Designing and implementing a real-time activation or event-based marketing campaign
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to discuss their experience with similar projects and how they approached them, highlighting their creative problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to different contexts.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the creative team structure and how this role fits within it?
- How does this role collaborate with other teams, such as product, marketing, and social?
- What are the most pressing creative challenges facing the team currently, and how can this role address them?
- How does Microsoft support the growth and development of its creative talent?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for success in this role, and how are they measured?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should prepare thoughtful, insightful questions that demonstrate their understanding of the role and their eagerness to contribute to Microsoft's creative team.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a strong cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the role and your fit with Microsoft's values
- Be ready to discuss your creative process, inspirations, and how you approach challenges
- Research Microsoft's recent campaigns and initiatives to show your familiarity with the brand
- Follow up with the recruiter or hiring manager within one week of 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.
