📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Creative Director, Art
🔹 Company: Synchrony Group
🔹 Location: West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Advertising Services
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-14
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Primarily Remote (Occasional travel)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading the strategic direction of pharmaceutical marketing initiatives
- Conceptualizing and designing innovative brand experiences
- Managing and mentoring cross-functional creative teams
- Fostering strong client relationships and translating complex scientific information
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, strategic thinking, and leadership to drive brand success in the pharmaceutical industry.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Collaborate with internal teams and clients to develop and execute cutting-edge pharmaceutical marketing initiatives
✅ Lead the strategic direction of campaigns, guiding the conceptualization and design processes
✅ Assemble and mentor cross-functional teams to deliver compelling, results-oriented visual storytelling
✅ Foster strong client relationships and translate complex scientific information into creative concepts
✅ Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and work closely with medical review teams
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic leadership, creative direction, and hands-on project work, requiring strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree
Experience: Minimum of 10 years' creative art/design experience with progressively increasing responsibilities at a pharmaceutical advertising agency
Required Skills:
- Proven history of leading creative campaigns and activities as advertising agency of record
- Strong creative design, conceptual, and visual storytelling skills
- In-depth knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud and other design software
- Excellent analytical thinking, planning, prioritization, and execution skills
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
Preferred Skills:
- Familiarity with video, motion graphics, and marketing tactics across print and digital channels
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong portfolio demonstrating their creative vision and leadership in pharmaceutical advertising will be highly competitive for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $150,000 - $180,000 (Based on industry standards for a senior creative role in the pharmaceutical advertising industry)
Benefits:
- Competitive salaries
- Generous paid time off
- Excellent health insurance
- Family leave
- 401(k) plan with employer matching
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with occasional nontraditional hours as client needs require
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for a senior creative role in the pharmaceutical advertising industry. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and performance.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Advertising Services, specifically focused on medical communications and marketing communications
Company Size: 51-200 employees (Mid-sized company offering opportunities for growth and collaboration)
Founded: 2007 (Established company with a history of success in the industry)
Company Description:
- Independently owned network of companies specializing in medical communications and marketing communications
- Focuses on strategic planning, development, and execution of best-in-class programs to address medical needs, maximize strategic objectives, and improve patient outcomes
- Committed to providing the highest quality products and services, fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration, and creating opportunities for team members
Company Specialties:
- Scientific communications
- Marketing communications
- Strategic communications planning
- Medical writing
- Creative thinking
- Content development
- Efficient execution
- Expert engagement
- Medical education
- Training
- Strategic consulting
- Publications support
Company Website: https://synchronygroup.com
ASSUMPTION: Synchrony Group's focus on medical communications and marketing communications offers candidates the opportunity to work on impactful projects that improve patient outcomes.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior-level role with significant leadership and strategic responsibilities
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to senior leadership and is responsible for leading and developing creative staff
Work Arrangement: Primarily remote position with occasional travel for live client or internal team meetings
Growth Opportunities:
- Mentoring and developing creative staff
- Assisting senior leadership with corporate strategies and cross-selling initiatives
- Potential for career progression within the company's network of companies
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for creative professionals looking to advance their careers in the pharmaceutical advertising industry.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Primarily remote, with an office location in West Chester, Pennsylvania
Office Location(s): 2 W Market St, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382, US
Geographic Context:
- West Chester is a suburban area located approximately 20 miles west of Philadelphia
- The region offers a mix of urban and rural environments, with easy access to cultural attractions, outdoor recreation, and historical sites
- West Chester is home to a vibrant arts scene, with numerous galleries, theaters, and music venues
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with occasional nontraditional hours as client needs require
ASSUMPTION: The primarily remote work arrangement offers candidates the flexibility to balance their personal and professional lives while still having access to the resources and support of a mid-sized company.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Initial phone or video screen to assess cultural fit and basic qualifications
- Portfolio review and creative challenge to evaluate design skills and strategic thinking
- Final interview with senior leadership to discuss career goals, leadership style, and fit within the company's culture
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creative problem-solving skills
- Strategic thinking and leadership abilities
- Communication and presentation skills
- Adaptability and ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your experience and skills relevant to this role
- Prepare a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the pharmaceutical advertising industry and your fit for this role
- Be ready to discuss your creative process, design choices, and how you approach challenges in your portfolio
ATS Keywords: Adobe Creative Cloud, Pharmaceutical Marketing, Creative Direction, Brand Strategy, Team Leadership, Project Management, Regulatory Compliance
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role is designed to assess both creative skills and cultural fit, with a focus on strategic thinking and leadership abilities.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects)
- Figma or Sketch
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Interactive programming tools (as needed)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and other design software is essential for this role, while familiarity with interactive programming tools may be beneficial for certain projects.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Informed: Staying current with industry trends and regulatory requirements
- In Touch: Building strong relationships with clients, partners, and team members
- In Sync: Collaborating effectively across teams and disciplines
Work Style:
- Creative and innovative
- Strategic and forward-thinking
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and responsive to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you stay informed about industry trends and regulatory requirements in the pharmaceutical advertising industry?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you built a strong relationship with a client or partner, and how did you ensure that relationship remained strong over time?
- Describe your preferred work style, and how do you adapt to different team dynamics and project requirements?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Synchrony Group's values and work style will be well-suited to this role and the company's culture.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Balancing creative vision with regulatory compliance and client feedback
- Adapting to a primarily remote work environment and maintaining strong communication with team members and clients
- Keeping up with industry trends and regulatory changes in the pharmaceutical advertising industry
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong organizational skills, adaptability, and a commitment to staying informed about industry trends and regulatory requirements.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from other creative director positions in the pharmaceutical advertising industry in its focus on medical communications and marketing communications, requiring a strong understanding of therapeutic areas and target audiences
- Industry-specific context: The pharmaceutical advertising industry is highly regulated, requiring creative professionals to have a strong understanding of FDA and OPDP requirements
- Career path comparison: This role offers opportunities for career progression within the company's network of companies, with potential for advancement to senior leadership positions
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in pharmaceutical advertising or a related field will be well-positioned to succeed in this role and take advantage of its growth opportunities.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive brand strategy and visual identity for a newly launched pharmaceutical product
- Creating a series of targeted advertising campaigns to raise awareness of a disease state and its treatment options
- Designing and implementing a patient education program to improve medication adherence and health outcomes
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of creative and strategic challenges faced by the creative director, art, and the need for strong leadership and collaboration skills.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the company's approach to staying informed about industry trends and regulatory requirements, and how does this role contribute to that effort?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its creative staff, and what opportunities exist for mentoring and skill-building?
- Can you provide an example of a successful creative campaign developed by the company, and what factors contributed to its success?
- How does the company balance the need for regulatory compliance with the desire to create innovative and impactful creative work?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does this role fit into that philosophy?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to assess the company's commitment to professional development, creative innovation, and work-life balance, as well as the candidate's fit within the company's culture.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your experience and skills relevant to this role
- Prepare a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the pharmaceutical advertising industry and your fit for this role
- Be ready to discuss your creative process, design choices, and how you approach challenges in your portfolio
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submission to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
