Associate Creative Director (Concepting)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Associate Creative Director (Concepting)

🔹 Company: Circa - IPG DXTRA

🔹 Location: Flexible (Hybrid: 3 days/week in office)

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Creative

🔹 Date Posted: July 2, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (with remote-based working arrangement considered for qualified candidates)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing bold, innovative ideas for clients' sports programs and partnerships
• Collaborating with designers and writers to bring concepts to life across various mediums
• Creating authentic fan experiences that resonate with sports enthusiasts
• Working on a diverse range of projects, from long-form content to physical experiences and digital activations

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong conceptual thinker who can connect brands with sports and entertainment properties through powerful ideas that resonate with fans and deliver on business objectives.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Developing creative concepts and platforms for clients' sports and entertainment partnerships

✅ Collaborating with designers and writers to bring ideas to life across various mediums

✅ Creating authentic fan experiences that resonate with sports enthusiasts

✅ Working on a diverse range of projects, from long-form content to physical experiences and digital activations

✅ Selling ideas to clients and stakeholders through compelling storytelling and presentations

ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will have a deep understanding of the sports landscape and a passion for creating authentic fan experiences.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Advertising, Marketing, Communications, or a related discipline)

Experience: At least 5-8 years of agency experience, with a focus on conceptual and copywriting roles

Required Skills:

• Conceptual thinking and creative development
• Copywriting and storytelling
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Fan engagement and sports knowledge
• Versatility and resourcefulness

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in team-based concept development
• Knowledge of brand strategy and campaign development
• Fluency in digital activations and content creation

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong portfolio showcasing their conceptual and copywriting skills will be prioritized.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $100,000 - $120,000 (USD) per year

Benefits:

• Unlimited PTO policy
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Pet insurance
• Generous family and parental leave policy (12 weeks)
• Access to 401K program with company match and Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Pretax transportation/commuter benefits and parent travel program
• Dedicated mental health resources
• Discount portal for everyday goods and services
• Employee resource groups and inclusive diversity programming

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible hours and remote work options

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels. The actual salary may vary based on factors such as market conditions, tenure, and standing with the company.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Public Relations and Communications Services

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

Founded: 1997 (as part of the Interpublic Group)

Company Description:

• IPG DXTRA is the world’s most diverse communications network, bringing experts in PR, branding, digital, experiential, influencer, and entertainment together to deliver creative, meaningful, and stand-out answers.
• The company is part of the Interpublic Group (IPG), a global leader in marketing and communications services.
• IPG DXTRA is recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work in Sports” and fosters a culture of play, creativity, and collaboration.

Company Specialties:

• Public Relations
• Branding
• Digital Marketing
• Experiential Marketing
• Influencer Marketing
• Entertainment Marketing

Company Website: http://www.ipgdxtrahealth.com

ASSUMPTION: IPG DXTRA's diverse range of services and expertise enable it to create tailored, integrated marketing solutions for clients across various industries.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level (Associate Creative Director)

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Creative Director and works closely with other creative teams, account managers, and strategy teams.

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days/week in office, with remote-based working arrangement considered for qualified candidates)

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to Senior Creative Director or other leadership roles within the creative department
• Expansion of skills and expertise through collaboration with diverse teams and projects
• Potential opportunities in related fields, such as account management, strategy, or production

ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally within IPG DXTRA's dynamic and collaborative environment.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (3 days/week in office, with remote-based working arrangement considered)

Office Location(s): Stamford, CT; New York, NY; Charlotte, NC; Los Angeles, CA; Chicago, IL; Atlanta, GA

Geographic Context:

• Stamford, CT: A suburban city located approximately 30 miles northeast of New York City, offering a mix of urban and suburban living with easy access to Manhattan
• New York, NY: The most populous city in the United States, known for its cultural, financial, and entertainment industries
• Charlotte, NC: A major city in the southeastern United States, with a growing tech and finance sector
• Los Angeles, CA: The entertainment capital of the world, with a diverse economy and a strong creative industry
• Chicago, IL: A major Midwestern city known for its architecture, culture, and diverse industries
• Atlanta, GA: A major southeastern city with a thriving film and television industry, as well as a strong sports culture

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible hours and remote work options

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility, catering to different work styles and preferences.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Phone or video screen with a recruiter or HR representative
• Creative brief or portfolio review with the hiring manager or creative team
• In-person or video interview with the hiring manager, creative director, and/or other team members
• Final interview with the executive leadership team
• Background check and onboarding

Key Assessment Areas:

• Conceptual thinking and creative development skills
• Copywriting and storytelling abilities
• Collaboration and teamwork skills
• Understanding of the sports landscape and fan engagement
• Cultural fit and alignment with IPG DXTRA's values and work style

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills, experiences, and achievements that demonstrate your fit for the role
• Prepare a portfolio showcasing your conceptual and copywriting skills, as well as any relevant sports or entertainment-related projects
• Research IPG DXTRA's company culture and values to ensure a strong cultural fit
• Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company to demonstrate your interest and engagement

ATS Keywords: Conceptual thinking, copywriting, collaboration, sports knowledge, fan engagement, creative development, brand strategy, campaign development, content creation, versatility, resourcefulness, teamwork

ASSUMPTION: IPG DXTRA's hiring process is designed to assess candidates' creative skills, cultural fit, and alignment with the company's values and work style.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
• Social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn)
• Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal, Adobe Experience Manager)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with industry-standard creative and project management tools is essential for success in this role.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Play: Finding insightful, bold ways to create play in our work, our lives, and in the world
• Creativity: Challenging the status quo and pushing boundaries to deliver innovative solutions
• Collaboration: Working together to bring out the best in each other and our clients
• Expertise: Leveraging our deep industry knowledge to drive meaningful results
• Integrity: Acting with honesty, fairness, and respect in all our interactions

Work Style:

• Creative and innovative
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Adaptable and resourceful
• Data-driven and strategic
• Culturally aware and inclusive

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do your personal values align with IPG DXTRA's company values, particularly the value of 'Play'?
• Describe a time when you had to adapt your work style to collaborate effectively with a diverse team. How did you approach this, and what was the outcome?
• How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and cultural shifts, particularly in the sports and entertainment landscape?

ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong cultural fit with IPG DXTRA's values and work style, as well as a passion for staying current with industry trends and cultural shifts.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Adapting to the unique needs and preferences of various clients and stakeholders
• Balancing the demands of in-office collaboration and remote work
• Navigating a large, diverse organization with multiple departments and teams
• Keeping up with the latest trends and best practices in the ever-evolving sports and entertainment landscape

ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will possess strong time management, organizational, and communication skills to effectively navigate these challenges.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Associate Creative Director (Concepting) vs. Senior Copywriter: The former focuses more on conceptual thinking and collaboration, while the latter is more specialized in copywriting and may have less responsibility for driving the overall creative direction of projects.
• Sports marketing vs. general advertising: Sports marketing requires a deep understanding of the sports landscape, fan engagement, and the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the sports industry.
• Agency vs. in-house creative roles: Agency roles often involve working on multiple clients and projects simultaneously, while in-house roles focus on a single brand or organization. Agency roles may offer more variety and exposure to different industries and clients, but in-house roles may provide more in-depth knowledge and expertise in a specific field.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider their personal preferences and career goals when comparing similar roles and deciding which path to pursue.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive campaign for a major sports league, including branding, advertising, social media content, and event activations
• Creating a targeted marketing strategy for a sports apparel brand, focusing on key demographics and channels
• Designing a unique fan experience for a music festival, incorporating sports and entertainment elements

ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will have experience working on similar projects or be able to demonstrate transferable skills and insights from related projects.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and dynamics of the creative department?
• How does the creative team collaborate with other departments, such as account management and strategy?
• What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of working on sports and entertainment marketing campaigns?
• How does the company support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the key priorities and goals for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to success.

📌 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 skills, experiences, and achievements
• Prepare a portfolio showcasing your conceptual and copywriting skills, as well as any relevant sports or entertainment-related projects
• Research IPG DXTRA's company culture and values to ensure a strong cultural fit
• Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company to demonstrate your interest and engagement
• Follow up with the hiring manager or recruiter within one week of your interview to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role

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