- Job Title: Associate Creative Director (Part-time, On-Call) - Energy
- Company: ICF
- Location: Nationwide Remote Office (US99)
- Job Type: Part-time, On-Call
- Category: Marketing & Creative
- Date Posted: 2025-05-15
- Experience Level: 10+ years
- Remote Status: Remote OK
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading and designing creative work for energy distributors in large markets.
- Collaborating with project managers and clients to develop effective creative solutions.
- Mentoring and fostering development of junior members of the creative team.
- Working with web development teams and directing the design process.
- Leveraging emerging technologies and AI applications in creative projects.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of self-motivation and independence, as well as strong communication skills to work effectively with various teams and clients.
📋 Key Responsibilities
- Creative Leadership: Lead and design a variety of creative work, including branding and advertising campaigns, and high-visibility websites.
- Client Consultation: 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.
- Team Collaboration: Collaborate with a large team to ensure content works toward changing behavior.
- Mentoring: Mentor and foster development of junior members of the creative team.
- Web Development Collaboration: Work with web development teams and direct the design process while understanding the technology and front-end development.
ASSUMPTION: The role may require working on multiple projects simultaneously, requiring strong workload prioritization and management skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field.
- Experience: 10+ years of advertising and design experience.
- Required Skills:
- Proven creative leadership and team management skills.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Strong workload prioritization and management skills.
- Proficiency in web design and understanding of front-end development.
- Experience with emerging technologies and AI applications.
- Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the energy sector, specifically in power production/distribution.
- Ability to conceptualize large campaigns.
- Proven creative success in collaborating with multifunctional teams.
ASSUMPTION: Given the remote nature of the role, strong self-motivation and independence are crucial for success.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
- Salary Range: $89,203 - $151,646 (based on full-time employment)
- Benefits: ICF offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more details, please visit [ICF's Benefits page](https://www.icf.com/careers/benefits).
- Working Hours: Flexible, on-call hours ranging from a few hours a week to 30 hours, depending on project needs and the employee's schedule.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as relevant work experience, skills, certifications, and geographic location.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
- Industry: ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, focusing on energy, health, transportation, and other sectors.
- Company Size: Mid-sized (1,001-5,000 employees)
- Founded: ICF was founded in 1969 and has since grown into a global organization with offices worldwide.
- Company Description: ICF Next is an award-winning agency that partners with energy distributors in large key markets to create authentic and robust communication with customers, stakeholders, legislators, activists, and media around energy efficiency and service.
- Company Specialties: Strategy and transformation, creative engagement, insights and analytics, technology, digital, user experience, customer experience, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and insights and customer marketing.
📊 Role Analysis
- Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, requiring extensive experience and expertise in creative direction and leadership.
- Reporting Structure: The Associate Creative Director will report to the Creative Studio Director and work closely with project managers, clients, and the creative team.
- Work Arrangement: This is a part-time, on-call position with flexible hours, ranging from a few hours a week to 30 hours, depending on project needs and the employee's schedule.
- Growth Opportunities: As a senior-level role, there may be opportunities for career progression into full-time employment or management positions within the creative studio or the broader ICF organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
- Office Type: Remote office with the potential for on-site collaboration with team members and clients.
- Office Location(s): Nationwide remote office (US99)
- Geographic Context: ICF has offices across the United States and worldwide, allowing for remote collaboration with team members and clients in various locations.
- Work Schedule: Flexible, on-call hours with the potential for full-time employment based on project needs and the employee's schedule.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
- Typical Process: The application process involves submitting a resume and a link to your portfolio. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview, which may include a portfolio review and a creative challenge.
- Key Assessment Areas: Creativity, problem-solving skills, communication skills, and cultural fit will be assessed during the interview process.
- Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Prepare examples of your work that demonstrate your ability to lead and design creative projects, collaborate with teams, and consult with clients.
- Research ICF and the energy sector to show your understanding of the industry and the company's mission.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Sketch or Figma
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
- Web development tools (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
- Company Values: ICF values integrity, innovation, collaboration, and excellence. Employees are expected to demonstrate these values in their work and interactions with colleagues and clients.
- Work Style: ICF values a mission-driven, collaborative, and innovative work environment. Employees are expected to be self-motivated, adaptable, and able to work effectively in a remote setting.
- Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with ICF's core values, and how have you demonstrated these values in your previous roles?
- How comfortable are you working remotely and collaborating with team members and clients in various locations?
- How do you approach mentoring and fostering the development of junior team members?
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Balancing multiple projects and deadlines while working remotely.
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and team members in a remote work environment.
- Staying up-to-date with current trends in web design, web tools, and social media integration while working on a part-time, on-call basis.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Career Path: This role is a senior-level position that can lead to career progression into full-time employment or management positions within the creative studio or the broader ICF organization.
- Industry-Specific Context: The energy sector is dynamic and ever-changing, requiring creative professionals to stay informed about industry trends and regulations.
- Career Path Comparison: This role is similar to a Senior Art Director or Creative Director position in other industries, with the added focus on the energy sector and the flexible, on-call work arrangement.
📝 Sample Projects
- Leading a branding campaign for an energy distributor, including logo design, brand guidelines, and marketing materials.
- Designing an advertising campaign to promote energy efficiency programs, including print, digital, and social media assets.
- Collaborating with a web development team to design and develop a high-visibility website for an energy company, ensuring a seamless user experience and responsive design.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the typical workflow for a project, from initial brief to final delivery?
- How does the creative team collaborate with other departments, such as project management and account services?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the creative studio and the broader ICF organization?
- How does ICF support work-life balance for remote employees?
- What is the typical timeline for projects, and how are priorities and deadlines managed?
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through [this link](https://icf.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/ICFExternal_Career_Site/job/Reston-VA/Associate-Creative-Director--Part-time--On-Call----Energy_R2501376).
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Prepare examples of your work that demonstrate your ability to lead and design creative projects, collaborate with teams, and consult with clients.
- Research ICF and the energy sector to show your understanding of the industry and the company's mission.
- Follow up with the hiring manager after submitting your application to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
