📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Creative Director (Part-time, On-Call) - Energy
🔹 Company: ICF
🔹 Location: Reston, Virginia
🔹 Job Type: Part-time, On-Call
🔹 Category: Creative & Design
🔹 Date Posted: May 15, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-Call (Flexible hours)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Lead and design creative work for energy distributors in large markets
- Collaborate with project managers and clients to identify creative approaches
- Mentor and foster development of junior members of the creative team
- Work with web development teams and understand front-end development
- Apply emerging technologies and AI to creative projects
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creative leadership and experience in the energy sector. The on-call status allows for flexible hours and potential transition to full-time employment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead and design a variety of creative work, including branding campaigns, advertising campaigns, and high-visibility websites
✅ Work with project managers from across the company to identify creative approaches and consult with clients to find the best solution that is on message and brings fresh thinking to the projects
✅ Collaborate with a large team to ensure content works toward changing behavior
✅ Mentor and foster development of junior members of the creative team
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills to manage multiple projects and team members effectively.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree (preferably in graphic design or a related field)
Experience: 10+ years of advertising and design experience
Required Skills:
- Creative leadership and direction
- Branding and advertising campaign development
- Web design and understanding of front-end development
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Highly organized with strong workload prioritization and management
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with web development teams
- Up-to-date with current trends in web design, web tools, and social media integration
- Ability to conceptualize large campaigns
- Proven creative success in collaborating with multifunctional teams
- Experience in the energy sector, specifically in power production/distribution
- AI capable – applying emerging applications to creative projects
ASSUMPTION: A strong portfolio showcasing a variety of projects is essential for this role. Candidates should have a proven track record of creative success and experience working with clients and teams.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $89,203 - $151,646 per year (based on full-time employment)
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package
- Flexible work arrangements
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
Working Hours: Flexible, up to 30 hours per week (depending on projects and schedule)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is based on full-time employment. The on-call status allows for flexible hours and potential transition to full-time employment.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Business Consulting and Services
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees (Mid-sized)
Founded: 1969 (with a rich history of growth and expansion)
Company Description:
- ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider
- Combines unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve complex challenges
- Focuses on delivering innovative solutions in areas such as energy, health, and social impact
Company Specialties:
- Business consulting
- Technology services
- Energy sector expertise
Company Website: ICF Official Website
ASSUMPTION: ICF's mid-sized structure allows for a balance between large-scale resources and a more personal, collaborative work environment.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior-level creative leadership role
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Creative Studio Director
Work Arrangement: On-call status with flexible hours, potential transition to full-time employment
Growth Opportunities:
- Mentoring and developing junior team members
- Expanding creative leadership skills
- Potential transition to full-time employment
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the creative team and the broader organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (Reston, VA office with flexible remote work options)
Office Location(s): Reston, Virginia
Geographic Context:
- Reston is a suburban area of Washington, D.C., with a mix of urban and rural surroundings
- Close proximity to major transportation hubs and cultural attractions
- Offers a high quality of life with access to excellent schools, healthcare, and recreational activities
Work Schedule: Flexible, up to 30 hours per week (depending on projects and schedule)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work environment allows for a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screening
- Creative portfolio review
- On-site or virtual interview with the Creative Studio Director
- Final interview with the hiring manager
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creative portfolio and leadership skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Problem-solving and strategic thinking
- Collaboration and teamwork skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a strong cover letter explaining your interest in the position and how your background aligns with the required qualifications
- Be ready to discuss your creative process and how you approach projects
ATS Keywords: Creative Director, Energy, Branding, Advertising, Web Design, Project Management, Client Consultation, Team Collaboration, Mentoring, Communication Skills, Workload Management, Emerging Technologies, AI Applications, Energy Sector Knowledge
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's creative leadership skills, industry-specific knowledge, and cultural fit within the ICF team.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Sketch or Figma
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, JIRA, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in industry-standard creative software and project management tools is required for this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity and ethics
- Innovation and continuous learning
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Accountability and results-driven
Work Style:
- Creative and innovative
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and accountable
- Adaptable and open to feedback
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your creative leadership skills align with ICF's values and work style?
- How have you demonstrated adaptability and openness to feedback in previous roles?
- How do you approach mentoring and developing junior team members?
ASSUMPTION: ICF values a strong cultural fit, with an emphasis on integrity, innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and team members simultaneously
- Balancing on-call status with potential transition to full-time employment
- Keeping up with emerging technologies and industry trends
- Working with clients and stakeholders in the energy sector
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong organizational skills, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the energy sector.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from other creative director positions in its focus on the energy sector and on-call status
- ICF's mid-sized structure offers a balance between large-scale resources and a more personal, collaborative work environment
- Career path comparison: This role can lead to senior-level creative leadership positions within ICF or other organizations in the energy sector
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of creative leadership, industry-specific knowledge, and flexible work arrangements.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive branding campaign for an energy distributor in a major market
- Creating an advertising campaign to promote energy efficiency programs for residential customers
- Designing a high-visibility website for a business-to-business energy client, showcasing their services and expertise
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the variety of creative work required for this role, highlighting the need for strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this on-call role differ from full-time creative director positions within ICF?
- What are the primary challenges facing the energy sector, and how can my creative skills contribute to addressing them?
- How does ICF support the professional growth and development of its creative team members?
- What is the typical project timeline and workload for an on-call creative director?
- How does ICF collaborate with clients and stakeholders in the energy sector to ensure effective communication and behavior change?
ASSUMPTION: These questions will help candidates better understand the role, the company, and the energy sector's unique challenges.
📌 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 strong cover letter explaining your interest in the position and how your background aligns with the required qualifications
- Be ready to discuss your creative process and how you approach projects during the interview
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your final interview to express your continued interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
