📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Creative Director
🔹 Company: Grizzly
🔹 Location: San Diego, California
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Advertising Services
🔹 Date Posted: April 11, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK (Southern California or Atlanta preferred)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving the creative vision and process across multiple teams and projects
- Overseeing client portfolios and managing resources effectively
- Coaching and developing creative team members
- Collaborating with clients and internal stakeholders to deliver excellent work
- Contributing to and leading creative work on cross-disciplinary projects
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, leadership, and strategic thinking to drive the creative vision and process across various teams and projects.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead, coach, and develop creative team members to optimize creative processes and deliver excellent work on time and on budget
✅ Collaborate, motivate, and sell to clients to ensure creative objectives align with agency and client goals
✅ Promote a culture of collaboration between the agency and clients
✅ Lead creative for new business and help pitch new business
✅ Develop relationships with key clients and present and sell great creative work to clients
✅ Manage allocation of talent for new business pitches and ensure staffing requirements are met
✅ Identify and hire/train the next level of creative management
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a mix of creative, leadership, and client-facing responsibilities, requiring strong communication, presentation, and strategic skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Advertising, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 7+ years in a client-facing, creative leadership role in an agency environment, with 3+ years working directly with B2B clients
Required Skills:
- Expertise in advertising, collateral, identity, or interactive design
- Strong working knowledge of design fundamentals and creative process
- Deep understanding of how brands work from a business perspective
- Proven ability to develop concepts providing client solutions and sell creative ideas to clients
- Expert presentation skills with clear, compelling communications to all levels internally and externally
- Confident salesperson, adept at supporting and selling ideas internally and externally
- Ability to plan and carry out job responsibilities with minimal direction
- Ability to handle stressful situations and deadlines with grace under pressure
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
- Able to manage and prioritize multiple business initiatives in an entrepreneurial environment
- Expert knowledge of all functional agency departments, capabilities, and service areas
- Deep understanding of a wide range of industries, markets, and brands, and what it takes to stand out and service them
- Proven ability to work cross-functionally with all agency personnel in developing plans, recommendations, and deliverables
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with B2B or technology brands
- Proficiency in all Adobe Creative Cloud design applications and Figma
ASSUMPTION: Given the role's requirements, candidates should have extensive experience in creative direction, design direction, and concept development/design across all mediums, with a strong background in B2B or technology brands.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $165,000 - $170,000 per year
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
- Flexible work arrangements
Working Hours: Full-time, with flexibility to meet client commitments. Domestic and international travel may be required.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is based on industry standards for a Creative Director role with the given experience level and location. Benefits are typical for a company of this size in the advertising industry.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Advertising Services
Company Size: 11-50 employees
Founded: 2013
Company Description:
- Grizzly is an independent creative agency that guides brands onward™ to challenge convention and impact culture.
- The agency works at the convergence of branding and advertising, blending strategy, design, and storytelling to build deeper connections between brands and people.
- Grizzly partners with adventurous brands that are out to shape the future, such as those securing the future of work, powering the way we communicate, and discovering science that’s changing life as we know it.
Company Specialties:
- Strategy
- Design
- Technology
- Marketing
- Advertising
- Branding
- Video
- Photography
- E-Commerce
- Brand Consultancy
- Integrated Campaigns
- Brand Strategy
- Design Thinking
- Brand Experience
- Web Development
- Identity Design
Company Website: http://grizzly.co
ASSUMPTION: Grizzly is an independent creative agency that focuses on guiding brands onward by challenging convention and impacting culture. The company specializes in various services, including strategy, design, technology, marketing, advertising, branding, video, photography, e-commerce, brand consultancy, integrated campaigns, brand strategy, design thinking, brand experience, web development, and identity design.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior leadership role, reporting directly to the Executive Creative Director
Reporting Structure: The Creative Director will oversee a team of creative professionals, including art directors, designers, and copywriters
Work Arrangement: Full-time, with flexibility to meet client commitments. Domestic and international travel may be required.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a leadership role within the agency, such as Executive Creative Director or Partner
- Opportunities to work on diverse projects and brands, expanding industry knowledge and skills
- Chance to mentor and develop junior team members, fostering a culture of growth and learning
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities, both in terms of career advancement and skill development. The Creative Director will have the chance to mentor junior team members, fostering a culture of growth and learning within the agency.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Creative agency office environment
Office Location(s): San Diego, California (with remote work considered)
Geographic Context:
- San Diego is a coastal city in Southern California, known for its mild climate, beaches, and vibrant cultural scene
- The city is home to numerous tech and biotech companies, providing ample opportunities for collaboration and networking
- San Diego offers a high quality of life, with numerous recreational activities, cultural attractions, and culinary experiences
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexibility to meet client commitments. Domestic and international travel may be required.
ASSUMPTION: The work environment at Grizzly is likely to be collaborative, creative, and fast-paced, with a strong focus on driving innovative solutions for clients. The office location in San Diego offers a high quality of life and ample opportunities for networking and collaboration within the tech and biotech industries.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Initial phone or video screen with the HR department
- Creative portfolio review and presentation with the Executive Creative Director
- Final interview with the agency leadership team
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creative portfolio and presentation skills
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Leadership and team management capabilities
- Client-facing communication and sales skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a compelling creative presentation that showcases your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Research Grizzly's clients and industry to demonstrate your understanding of the agency's focus and target market
ATS Keywords: Creative Direction, Design Direction, Concept Development, B2B Experience, Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, Team Management, Client Collaboration, Presentation Skills, Strategic Decision Making, Coaching, Feedback, Creative Problem Solving, Brand Development, Project Management, Interpersonal Skills
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role will likely involve a creative portfolio review and presentation, as well as interviews with the HR department and agency leadership team. Applicants should tailor their resume and portfolio to highlight relevant experience and skills, and prepare a compelling creative presentation that demonstrates their strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.)
- Figma
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
ASSUMPTION: The Creative Director will be expected to have proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud design applications and Figma, as well as familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Creativity
- Collaboration
- Courage
- Curiosity
- Craftsmanship
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Focused on driving innovative solutions for clients
- Committed to fostering a culture of growth and learning
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment?
- Are you comfortable presenting and selling creative ideas to clients and internal stakeholders?
- Do you have a strong desire to learn and grow professionally?
- Are you passionate about driving innovative solutions for clients?
ASSUMPTION: Grizzly values creativity, collaboration, courage, curiosity, and craftsmanship. The ideal candidate for this role will be collaborative, fast-paced, and committed to driving innovative solutions for clients. They will also be comfortable presenting and selling creative ideas to clients and internal stakeholders, and have a strong desire to learn and grow professionally.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a diverse team with varying levels of experience and expertise
- Balancing multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining a high level of creativity and quality
- Adapting to the unique needs and expectations of B2B clients
- Travel requirements may impact work-life balance
ASSUMPTION: The Creative Director role at Grizzly presents several challenges, including managing a diverse team, balancing multiple projects and deadlines, and adapting to the unique needs and expectations of B2B clients. Additionally, travel requirements may impact work-life balance.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Creative Director vs. Art Director: The Creative Director role focuses more on strategic decision-making, team leadership, and client collaboration, while the Art Director role is more focused on the visual design and execution of creative projects.
- B2B vs. B2C: B2B clients often have more complex product and business challenges, requiring a deeper understanding of the human/consumer benefit and translating it into simple, smart ideas.
- Agency vs. In-house: Agency Creative Directors work with multiple clients and projects, while in-house Creative Directors focus on a single brand. Agency roles may offer more diversity in projects and industries but can also be more fast-paced and demanding.
ASSUMPTION: The Creative Director role at Grizzly differs from other creative leadership roles, such as Art Director, in its focus on strategic decision-making, team leadership, and client collaboration. Additionally, B2B clients present unique challenges and opportunities compared to B2C clients, and agency roles offer more diversity in projects and industries but can also be more fast-paced and demanding compared to in-house roles.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive brand identity and campaign for a technology startup launching a new product
- Creating a series of targeted advertising campaigns for an established B2B brand looking to expand its market share
- Designing and executing a multi-channel marketing campaign for a non-profit organization focused on raising awareness and funds for a specific cause
ASSUMPTION: The Creative Director at Grizzly will be involved in a wide range of projects, from developing comprehensive brand identities and campaigns to creating targeted advertising campaigns and multi-channel marketing initiatives. These projects will require strong strategic thinking, creativity, and collaboration with clients and internal stakeholders.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the creative department?
- How does Grizzly support the professional growth and development of its creative team members?
- What are the key challenges and opportunities facing Grizzly's clients in the current market landscape?
- How does Grizzly approach and manage remote work arrangements, particularly for Creative Directors?
- What is the typical timeline for reviewing and providing feedback on creative work at Grizzly?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should ask thoughtful questions during the interview process to gain a better understanding of the team structure, professional development opportunities, market challenges, remote work arrangements, and feedback processes at Grizzly.
📌 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 compelling creative presentation that showcases your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Research Grizzly's clients and industry to demonstrate your understanding of the agency's focus and target market
- Follow up with the HR department one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
