📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Creative Director
🔹 Company: Ownwell
🔹 Location: Austin, TX
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Marketing & Creative
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-30
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading creative campaigns across digital, social, direct mail, email, partnerships, and performance channels
- Developing and maintaining a cohesive visual identity and ensuring brand consistency
- Collaborating with marketing, design, and content teams to develop high-performing campaigns and assets
- Driving the visual direction and execution of creative testing strategies
- Partnering with sales and partnerships to deliver powerful collateral and event presence
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong creative background with a mix of strategic and hands-on skills. The ideal candidate will have experience in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and be comfortable with ambiguity.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead concepting and execution of creative campaigns across various channels
✅ Develop and maintain a cohesive visual identity and ensure brand consistency
✅ Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop high-performing campaigns and assets
✅ Own the visual direction and execution of creative testing strategies
✅ Be hands-on with design tools to deliver work that’s ready to ship or guide external partners
✅ Participate in user and market research to bring insights to life visually and emotionally
✅ Contribute to and evolve creative systems from style guides to asset libraries
✅ Partner with sales and partnerships to deliver powerful collateral and event presence, adapting fast and solving in the moment
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, adaptability, and collaboration. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Fine Arts, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 5 to 8 years in creative roles (agency or in-house), with experience as a Senior Art Director or Associate Creative Director
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in creative direction and campaign development
- Strong portfolio across static and motion, showing both high-impact campaigns and performance-driven creative
- Comfort with ambiguity and a love for moving quickly
- Hands-on design skills with the ability to independently concept, iterate, and deliver high-quality visuals
- Deep understanding of branding, creative strategy, and how to adapt tone and style to fit different channels
- Growth mindset with an eagerness to learn, test, and adapt
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in a high-growth startup or with traditional consumer products
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong portfolio and relevant experience in creative direction will be most competitive for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 (Based on industry standards for a mid-level creative director in Austin, TX)
Benefits:
- Entrepreneurial culture with flexible PTO
- Access to the First Round Network to build your community outside of Ownwell
- Competitive health benefits
- Learning support through a $1,000 stipend per year
- Supporting parental journey with up to 16 weeks of fully paid parental and bonding leave
- Equity participation
- Complimentary real estate and tax consulting licensing and renewal
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Financial Services, specifically commercial real estate and FinTech
Company Size: 51-200 employees (Mid-sized company with a startup-like culture)
Founded: 2020 (Relatively new company with significant growth potential)
Company Description:
- Ownwell helps property owners reduce the costs of owning real estate through proprietary software and end-to-end process management
- Focused on making real estate costs more transparent and equitable for all
- Dedicated to fostering a collaborative, diverse, and inclusive work environment
Company Specialties:
- Commercial real estate
- FinTech
- Property tax consulting
Company Website: ownwell.com
ASSUMPTION: Ownwell is a well-funded, venture-backed company with a strong focus on growth and innovation. They prioritize diversity, inclusion, and collaboration in their work environment.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior (depending on experience)
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Head of Growth & Marketing
Work Arrangement: Remote OK, with a flexible, hybrid work environment
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a leadership role as the company expands
- Opportunities to work on various projects and campaigns, gaining diverse experience
- Chance to make a significant impact on the company's brand and creative direction
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to take on more responsibility and leadership as the company continues to expand.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (Remote OK, with an office in Austin, TX)
Office Location(s): 1703 W 5th St, STE 650, Austin, Texas 78703, US
Geographic Context:
- Austin, TX is known for its vibrant tech industry, diverse culture, and high quality of life
- The company's office is located in the heart of downtown Austin, close to numerous amenities and attractions
- The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living options, with easy access to outdoor recreation and cultural events
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and a focus on results and outcomes
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work environment at Ownwell offers the best of both worlds, with the flexibility to work remotely and the opportunity to collaborate and connect with colleagues in person.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- Portfolio review and creative challenge
- Final interview with the Head of Growth & Marketing and/or other team members
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creative portfolio and problem-solving skills
- Branding and creative strategy understanding
- Collaboration and communication skills
- Adaptability and comfort with ambiguity
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a creative challenge submission that demonstrates your ability to think strategically and execute visually
- Be ready to discuss your creative process, inspiration, and how you approach creative challenges
ATS Keywords: Creative Direction, Visual Storytelling, Branding, Campaign Development, Collaboration, Design Tools, Creative Strategy, User Research, Market Research, High-Impact Campaigns, Performance-Driven Creative, Adaptability, Growth Mindset, Teamwork, Ownership, Innovation
ASSUMPTION: The interview process at Ownwell is designed to assess both your creative skills and your ability to fit within the company's collaborative, fast-paced culture.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Figma
- Adobe Indesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, or After Effects
- Microsoft Office Suite (optional)
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be comfortable using industry-standard design tools and learning new tools as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer Obsession
- Take Ownership
- Do The Right Thing
- Go Far Together
- Accelerate Innovation
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Fast-paced and results-driven
- Focused on continuous learning and improvement
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment?
- Are you comfortable with ambiguity and able to adapt quickly to new situations?
- Do you have a strong portfolio that demonstrates your ability to create high-impact campaigns and performance-driven creative?
ASSUMPTION: Ownwell values candidates who are a strong cultural fit, with a collaborative, results-driven, and innovative work style.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Adapting to new tools and technologies as needed
- Working remotely and balancing independent work with collaboration
- Navigating a rapidly growing company with evolving priorities and responsibilities
ASSUMPTION: The Associate Creative Director role at Ownwell offers significant opportunities and challenges, requiring a strong candidate with a growth mindset and adaptability.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike traditional agency roles, this position offers the opportunity to work directly with clients and have a significant impact on the company's brand and creative direction
- Compared to in-house roles at larger companies, this role offers more autonomy and the chance to shape the creative vision for the brand
- Career path opportunities may include growing into a leadership role as the company expands
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of agency and in-house experience, with the opportunity to make a significant impact on the company's brand and creative direction.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive brand style guide and asset library
- Creating a high-impact direct mail campaign to acquire new customers
- Designing and executing a creative testing strategy to optimize performance across channels
ASSUMPTION: The Associate Creative Director role at Ownwell offers a wide range of creative projects, from brand development to campaign execution and optimization.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the company's creative vision and how this role fits into that?
- How does the marketing team collaborate with other departments, such as product and sales?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the company's creative efforts, and how can this role help address them?
- What opportunities are there for growth and development within the role and the company?
- How does the company support work-life balance and employee well-being?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and helps you make an informed decision about the opportunity.
📌 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 creative challenge submission that demonstrates your ability to think strategically and execute visually
- Be ready to discuss your creative process, inspiration, and how you approach creative challenges
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your final interview to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
