- Job Title: Creative Director
- Company: OLIVER Agency - North America
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Job Type: Hybrid (2-3x/week)
- Date Posted: May 9, 2025
- Experience Level: 10+ years
🚀 Job Overview
- Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading and inspiring a high-performing creative team
- Driving brand storytelling and strategic creative development
- Overseeing creative execution across various channels
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance brand engagement
- Leveraging performance data, market insights, and consumer behavior trends to inform creative decision-making
- Championing bold, insight-driven creative ideas that push brand boundaries
- Managing, supervising, and reviewing the work of designers and content creators
- Acting as a brand guardian to maintain consistency, quality, and alignment with BISSELL’s brand identity
- Implementing streamlined creative processes to improve efficiency and optimize workflows
- Staying ahead of AI-powered creative tools and automation to enhance storytelling capabilities
- Leading new business efforts by attending client meetings, presenting creative work, and identifying opportunities for brand growth
- Organizing monthly creative showcases to highlight key learnings, successes, and innovation within the creative team
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a creative leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about pushing boundaries in brand storytelling. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in creative leadership, strategic thinking, and driving innovative brand campaigns.
📋 Key Responsibilities
- Lead and inspire a high-performing creative team, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation
- Drive brand storytelling and strategic creative development across all BISSELL marketing initiatives
- Oversee creative execution across digital, social, print, retail, packaging, and advertising channels
- Collaborate with Integrated Marketing, Product Marketing, and Sales to develop consumer-centric creative strategies that drive brand preference and engagement
- Utilize performance data, market insights, and consumer behavior trends to inform creative decision-making
- Champion bold, insight-driven creative ideas, going beyond the brief to push BISSELL’s brand forward
- Manage, supervise, and review the work of designers and content creators to ensure the highest level of creative output
- Act as a brand guardian, ensuring all creative output maintains consistency, quality, and alignment with BISSELL’s brand identity
- Implement streamlined creative processes, working with operations and planning teams to improve efficiency and optimize workflows
- Stay ahead of AI-powered creative tools and automation, leveraging GenAI solutions to optimize content creation and enhance storytelling capabilities
- Lead new business efforts by attending client meetings, presenting creative work, and identifying opportunities for BISSELL’s brand growth
- Organize monthly creative showcases to highlight key learnings, successes, and innovation within the creative team
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience leading multidisciplinary creative teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture. They should also possess strong conceptual and strategic thinking, with a portfolio that demonstrates excellence in brand storytelling, design, and advertising.
🎯 Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Advertising, Communications, or a related field
- Experience: 10+ years of experience in a creative leadership role within an advertising agency, branding agency, or in-house creative team
- Required Skills:
- Strong conceptual and strategic thinking, with a portfolio that demonstrates excellence in brand storytelling, design, and advertising
- Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary creative teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture
- Expertise in digital-first content creation, with a deep understanding of social media, video, experiential, and emerging formats
- Strong experience in retail, packaging, and consumer product marketing
- Knowledge of CGI, photography, video production, and post-production workflows
- Ability to balance creative vision with business objectives, ensuring measurable impact and ROI
- Experience presenting to C-level stakeholders and leading creative pitches with confidence and strategic clarity
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence across functions and levels
- Interest or experience in leveraging GenAI tools to enhance creative ideation, production workflows, and campaign performance
- A proactive, problem-solving mindset with the ability to navigate ambiguity and drive creative solutions
- Experience in mentoring and professional development for creative teams, ensuring continuous skill enhancement and growth
Preferred Qualifications:
- Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with BISSELL or similar consumer product brands
- Familiarity with the in-house agency model and working with client stakeholders
- Proficiency in using AI-powered creative tools and platforms
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience working with consumer product brands and a strong understanding of the in-house agency model. Familiarity with AI-powered creative tools and platforms would also be beneficial.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
- Salary Range: $136,000 - $152,000 per year (base salary)
- Benefits:
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement savings plan with company match
- Generous paid time off and flexible work arrangements
- Employee assistance program
- Professional development opportunities and tuition reimbursement
- Discounted gym memberships and wellness programs
- Employee discounts on BISSELL products
- Working Hours: Full-time, hybrid role (2-3x/week on-site)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Creative Director role with 10+ years of experience. The actual salary may vary based on individual qualifications, skills, and negotiation.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
- Industry: Advertising Services
- Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
- Founded: 2004
- Company Description: OLIVER is a global advertising agency specializing in designing, building, and running bespoke in-house agencies and marketing ecosystems for brands. With over 300 clients in 48 countries, OLIVER creates work that delivers business growth, fame, and purpose.
- Company Specialties:
- Brand strategy and planning
- Real-Time Marketing
- Creative execution
- Digital strategy
- Social media
- CRM
- Loyalty
- Data
- Analytics
- In-Housing
- Marketing Ecosystems
- AI
📊 Role Analysis
- Career Level: Executive
- Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Global Creative Director and works closely with the BISSELL marketing team
- Work Arrangement: Hybrid (2-3x/week on-site)
- Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a global creative leadership role within OLIVER
- Opportunities to work on diverse brand projects and expand industry knowledge
- Possibility to mentor and develop junior creative talent
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to expand industry knowledge and develop leadership skills.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
- Office Type: Hybrid (2-3x/week on-site)
- Office Location: Chicago, IL
- Geographic Context:
- Chicago is the third-most populous city in the United States, offering a diverse cultural scene, vibrant arts community, and numerous entertainment options
- The city is known for its iconic architecture, including the Willis Tower and the Art Institute of Chicago
- Chicago is home to several Fortune 500 companies, providing ample networking and career advancement opportunities
- Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and remote work options
ASSUMPTION: Chicago offers a dynamic work environment with a mix of urban and suburban settings, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and personal enrichment.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
- Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the HR team
- Creative challenge or presentation to the creative team
- Final interview with the Global Creative Director and BISSELL stakeholders
- Key Assessment Areas:
- Creative portfolio and presentation skills
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Cultural fit and alignment with OLIVER's values
- Experience with AI-powered creative tools and platforms
- Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your creative vision, strategic thinking, and ability to drive brand storytelling
- Be ready to discuss your experience with AI-powered creative tools and platforms, and how you've leveraged them in previous projects
- Research OLIVER's unique in-house agency model and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with this approach
- Practice presenting your creative ideas and strategies, and be ready to answer questions about your thought process and decision-making
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing your creative vision, strategic thinking, and cultural fit with OLIVER's values. Being prepared to discuss your experience with AI-powered creative tools and platforms will also be crucial.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Tools/Technology:
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects)
- Sketch, Figma, or similar design software
- Video editing software (Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, etc.)
- Project management tools (Asana, Trello, JIRA, etc.)
- AI-powered creative tools and platforms (Midjourney, DALL-E, Runway ML, etc.)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with industry-standard creative software, project management tools, and AI-powered creative tools and platforms will be essential for success in this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
- Company Values:
- Be Ambitious
- Be Imaginative
- Be Inspirational
- Be always learning and listening
- Be Results-focused
- Be actively pro-inclusive and anti-racist
- Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and results-focused
- Adaptable and open to feedback
- Committed to continuous learning and improvement
- Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your personal values align with OLIVER's company values?
- Describe a time when you had to learn a new skill or tool to complete a project. How did you approach this challenge, and what was the outcome?
- How do you balance creative vision with business objectives, ensuring measurable impact and ROI?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to navigate ambiguity or uncertainty in a creative project? How did you approach this situation, and what was the result?
ASSUMPTION: OLIVER values candidates who embody their company values, demonstrate a strong work ethic, and are committed to continuous learning and improvement. Being able to balance creative vision with business objectives and navigate ambiguity will be crucial for success in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Challenges specific to this role:
- Balancing the demands of an in-house agency model, working closely with client stakeholders, and maintaining creative independence
- Keeping up with the latest AI-powered creative tools and platforms, and integrating them into workflows
- Managing a multidisciplinary creative team with diverse skill sets and backgrounds
- Challenges specific to the company/industry:
- Navigating the fast-paced and ever-evolving advertising landscape
- Adapting to changes in consumer behavior, market trends, and emerging technologies
- Collaborating effectively with remote team members and global clients
- Challenges specific to the work arrangement:
- Balancing on-site and remote work responsibilities
- Maintaining productivity and focus in a hybrid work environment
- Adapting to the unique needs and preferences of both on-site and remote team members
ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges related to the in-house agency model, working with AI-powered creative tools, and managing a diverse creative team. Being adaptable, proactive, and open to feedback will be essential for overcoming these challenges.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- How this role differs from related positions:
- This role focuses on building and leading an in-house agency for a specific client, BISSELL, rather than working with multiple clients as a traditional advertising agency would
- This role requires a deep understanding of the in-house agency model and working closely with client stakeholders
- This role offers the opportunity to work on a single brand in-depth, rather than switching between multiple clients and projects
- Industry-specific context:
- The in-house agency model allows for deeper brand immersion, closer collaboration with client teams, and more streamlined workflows
- Working with AI-powered creative tools and platforms is becoming increasingly important in the advertising industry, as brands seek to optimize content creation and enhance storytelling capabilities
- Career path comparison:
- This role offers a unique career path focused on building and leading in-house agencies for brands, rather than following a traditional agency career trajectory
- This role provides opportunities to develop leadership skills, expand industry knowledge, and grow into global creative leadership roles within OLIVER
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique career path focused on building and leading in-house agencies for brands, with opportunities to develop leadership skills and expand industry knowledge.
📝 Sample Projects
- Project examples specific to this role:
- Developing a comprehensive brand style guide for BISSELL, outlining visual identity, tone of voice, and messaging guidelines for all consumer touchpoints
- Creating a campaign to launch a new BISSELL product line, leveraging digital, social, and experiential channels to drive brand awareness and engagement
- Collaborating with BISSELL's product marketing team to develop packaging designs that enhance brand perception and drive sales
- Project examples specific to this industry:
- Working with a consumer product brand to refresh their visual identity and reimagine their packaging design to appeal to a new target audience
- Developing a social media campaign to drive brand engagement and generate user-generated content for a retail brand
- Collaborating with a retail brand to create an immersive in-store experience that showcases their unique brand story and drives foot traffic
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities to work on diverse brand projects, from developing comprehensive brand style guides to creating innovative marketing campaigns and retail experiences.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Questions specific to role responsibilities:
- How would you approach developing a comprehensive brand style guide for BISSELL, ensuring consistency and quality across all consumer touchpoints?
- Can you describe your experience working with AI-powered creative tools and platforms, and how you've leveraged them in previous projects?
- How would you balance creative vision with business objectives, ensuring measurable impact and ROI for BISSELL's marketing initiatives?
- Questions specific to team structure:
- How would you collaborate with BISSELL's marketing team to ensure our creative work aligns with their brand objectives and business goals?
- How would you mentor and develop junior creative talent within our team, ensuring continuous skill enhancement and growth?
- Questions specific to company culture:
- How do you embody OLIVER's company values in your daily work, and how would you foster these values within our creative team?
- How would you approach working with AI-powered creative tools and platforms to enhance efficiency, ideation, and creative execution within our team?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful questions about role responsibilities, team structure, and company culture will demonstrate your interest in the position and help you better understand the expectations and requirements of the role.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
- To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link: [Application URL]
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your creative vision, strategic thinking, and ability to drive brand storytelling
- Be ready to discuss your experience with AI-powered creative tools and platforms, and how you've leveraged them in previous projects
- Research OLIVER's unique in-house agency model and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with this approach
- Practice presenting your creative ideas and strategies, and be ready to answer questions about your thought process and decision-making
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application, inquiring about the status of your application and expressing your continued interest in the role
⚠️ Disclaimer: This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
