Creative Associate Director

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Creative Associate Director

🔹 Company: Acosta

🔹 Location: Jacksonville, Florida, United States

🔹 Job Type: Full time

🔹 Category: Retail

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-05-27

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading the creative process to develop breakthrough work
• Challenging conventional thinking and uncovering unique creative solutions
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful brand moments
• Ensuring flawless execution and obsession with quality and results

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of marketing strategy, consumer behavior, and cultural trends to create resonant campaigns.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead the creative process from brief to production, ensuring the development of breakthrough work

✅ Challenge conventional thinking and uncover unique creative solutions to marketing challenges

✅ Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including strategy, account, and production, to deliver impactful brand moments

✅ Obsess about both quality and results, ensuring flawless execution and driving measurable outcomes

✅ Stay current with industry trends and cultural insights to inform creative strategy

ASSUMPTION: This role may require occasional travel to attend events, trade shows, or client meetings.

🎯 Required Qualifications

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

Experience: 5-10 years of experience in a creative agency or in-house marketing role, with a proven track record of leading creative teams and delivering successful campaigns

Required Skills:

• Expertise in creative thinking, storytelling, and execution
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Fluency in English

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with event planning and production
• Bilingual or multilingual skills
• Knowledge of the retail industry

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in fast-paced agency environments or managing in-house creative teams may be particularly well-suited to this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $90,000 - $130,000 per year (based on industry standards for a mid-level creative director role in Jacksonville, FL)

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
• Employee discounts on Acosta products
• Professional development opportunities

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with occasional overtime as needed

ASSUMPTION: Salary range is based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Acosta operates in the retail industry, acting as a catalyst to connect brands, retailers, and consumers, fueling growth and building long-term value.

Company Size: Acosta is a large company with over 10,000 employees, providing ample opportunities for career growth and collaboration.

Founded: 1927, with a rich history of innovation and evolution in the retail industry.

Company Description:

• Acosta brings simplicity to retail sales, acting as a bridge between brands and retailers
• Deeply embedded in the retail industry, with expertise in various retail channels and categories
• Committed to driving growth and building long-term value for clients through integrated partnerships and cutting-edge analytics

Company Specialties:

• Revenue Growth Management
• Category Management
• Space Management
• Headquarter Sales
• Omnichannel Strategy
• Back Office
• Business Intelligence
• Shopper Marketing
• Digital Commerce
• Retail Media
• Emerging Brands
• Merchandising
• Shelf Intelligence
• Supply Chain

Company Website: https://www.acosta.com

ASSUMPTION: Acosta's extensive industry knowledge and broad range of services enable it to provide comprehensive solutions to clients.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for growth into senior roles

Reporting Structure: The Associate Creative Director will report directly to the Creative Director and oversee a team of creatives

Work Arrangement: On-site, with occasional remote work for meetings or events

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to Creative Director or other senior leadership roles
• Expansion of creative responsibilities across multiple brands or categories
• Development of management and mentoring skills through team leadership

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant potential for career growth within Acosta's creative department.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate headquarters with a modern, collaborative work environment

Office Location(s): 6651 Gate Pkwy, Jacksonville, Florida 32256, US

Geographic Context:

• Jacksonville, FL is the most populous city in the state and offers a diverse range of cultural attractions and recreational opportunities
• The Jacksonville area is home to a thriving retail industry, with numerous national and regional brands headquartered in the region
• The city's strategic location on the East Coast provides easy access to major markets and transportation networks

Work Schedule: Standard business hours, with flexibility for meetings or events as needed

ASSUMPTION: The Jacksonville office provides a dynamic and engaging work environment, with ample opportunities for collaboration and professional growth.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume submission
• Phone or video screen with the HR department
• In-person or virtual interview with the Creative Director and other team members
• Creative challenge or presentation to showcase problem-solving skills and creative thinking
• Final interview with senior leadership

Key Assessment Areas:

• Creativity and problem-solving skills
• Leadership and collaboration abilities
• Understanding of marketing strategy and consumer behavior
• Communication and presentation skills
• Alignment with Acosta's company values and culture

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare a portfolio showcasing your creative work and achievements
• Research Acosta's company values and be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs
• Practice your presentation skills and be ready to demonstrate your creative thinking through a brief challenge or case study

ATS Keywords: Creative thinking, storytelling, execution, leadership, collaboration, innovation, attention to detail, cultural awareness, brand development, production, communication, research, community engagement, event planning

ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role may include creative challenges or presentations to assess the candidate's problem-solving skills and creative thinking.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
• Presentation software (e.g., Keynote, PowerPoint)
• Design thinking and prototyping tools (e.g., Sketch, Figma, InVision)

ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in industry-standard creative software is required for this role, with a preference for candidates with experience in design thinking and prototyping tools.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Integrity
• Accountability
• Collaboration
• Innovation
• Customer Focus

Work Style:

• Creative and innovative
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Results-driven and accountable
• Adaptable and responsive to change

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do your personal values align with Acosta's company values?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you demonstrated creativity and innovation in a professional setting?
• How do you approach collaboration and teamwork, particularly when working with diverse stakeholders?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates who demonstrate a strong fit with Acosta's company values and work style will be most successful in this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Balancing creative vision with practical constraints, such as budget or timeline
• Adapting to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
• Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams, including strategy, account, and production

ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will possess strong project management skills and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to a Senior Art Director role, this position offers more strategic and leadership responsibilities, as well as a broader scope of creative oversight
• In contrast to a Creative Strategist role, this position focuses more on execution and less on research and planning
• Career progression from this role could lead to a Creative Director or other senior leadership positions within Acosta's creative department

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of creative and leadership responsibilities, with opportunities for growth and development within Acosta's creative department.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive brand campaign for a new product launch, including advertising, social media, and event activations
• Creating a series of targeted content pieces to drive consumer engagement and loyalty for an established brand
• Designing and executing a large-scale event or experiential marketing campaign to generate buzz and drive sales

ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will have experience working on similar projects and be able to demonstrate their ability to lead creative teams and deliver impactful brand moments.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role fit into the overall creative strategy for Acosta's clients?
• Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the creative department?
• How does Acosta support the professional development and growth of its creative team members?
• What are the most significant challenges facing the creative department in the coming year, and how can this role help address them?
• How does Acosta measure the success of its creative campaigns, and what metrics are most important for this role to focus on?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates a candidate's interest in the role and commitment to success.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application and resume through the Acosta careers portal
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare a portfolio showcasing your creative work and achievements
• Practice your presentation skills and be ready to demonstrate your creative thinking through a brief challenge or case study
• Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of submitting your application to express your interest in the role

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