Creative Director

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Creative Director

🔹 Company: McAfee

🔹 Location: San Jose, California, United States (Hybrid)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: April 28, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading the Brand Design and Creative Services team to redefine McAfee's brand identity
• Driving marketing efforts through creative campaigns and a cohesive design framework
• Collaborating with internal teams and agency partners to bring the brand to life
• Managing a diverse team of designers and video producers

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and creative mindset, with a strong focus on brand stewardship and cross-channel marketing.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Own McAfee’s visual identity and ensure a comprehensive and cohesive design framework

✅ Develop award-winning creative campaigns for McAfee, bringing the brand to life across various touchpoints

✅ Tailor team structure and strategy to meet the needs of various marketing channels and audiences

✅ Build and nurture a team of diverse designers and video producers to bring stakeholder vision and strategy to life

✅ Act as a brand steward to ensure McAfee's design identity is properly understood and implemented across the organization

✅ Demonstrate thought leadership and early adoption of AI and other efficiency tools to drive productivity and optimization

✅ Balance a design-led point of view with flexibility to deliver against stakeholder needs

✅ Prioritize design resourcing and initiatives based on impact to the business

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a mix of creative, strategic, and leadership skills to drive marketing efforts and redefine McAfee's brand identity.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: 10+ years leading powerful creative campaigns and design teams

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in creative strategy, creative direction, concept development, and execution across upper, mid, and lower funnel campaigns
• Ability to direct photography and video shoots, with prior on-site and post-production experience
• Growth mindset eager to embrace new tools and platforms to enable a strategy-oriented team culture
• Experience managing creative agency partners and freelancers
• Proven impact implementing design and AI tools to drive incremental value and impact
• Strong collaboration skills, able to work effectively across multiple teams and disciplines
• Experience within scaled cross-channel, global businesses

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working on/with digital products and services

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in creative strategy, campaign management, and team leadership, with a proven track record in driving marketing efforts and redefining brand identities.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $162,950 - $267,695 per year (based on experience and location)

Benefits:

• Bonus Program
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life, Short Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Paid Parental Leave
• Support for Community Involvement
• 14 Paid Company Holidays
• Unlimited Paid Time Off for Exempt Employees
• 96 Hours of Sick Time and 120 Hours of Vacation for Non-Exempt Employees Accrued Each Year

Working Hours: Full-time, with an average of 1-6 on-site days per month

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is based on industry standards for a Creative Director role with the given experience level and location. Benefits are comprehensive and competitive for the industry.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: McAfee is a leader in personal security for consumers, focused on protecting people, not just devices, in an always-online world.

Company Size: McAfee has 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a large-scale environment for growth and collaboration.

Founded: McAfee was founded in 1987 and has since grown into a global leader in cybersecurity.

Company Description:

• McAfee is committed to empowering users to live securely in an always-connected world
• The company offers integrated, intuitive solutions that protect families and communities
• McAfee fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment, encouraging employees to bring their authentic selves to work

Company Specialties:

• Consumer Security
• Cybersecurity
• Online Protection

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

ASSUMPTION: McAfee's focus on consumer security and commitment to diversity and inclusion make it an attractive employer for creative professionals seeking to make an impact in the cybersecurity industry.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, requiring extensive experience in creative direction and campaign management.

Reporting Structure: The Creative Director reports directly to the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).

Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, requiring on-site presence 1-6 days per month, with the rest of the time worked remotely.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to grow into a leadership role within the marketing department or the broader organization
• Opportunities to work on high-impact campaigns and initiatives that drive business growth
• Chance to develop skills in brand stewardship, AI tool implementation, and operational improvement

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for creative professionals looking to advance their careers in a dynamic and impactful environment.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: McAfee's headquarters is located in San Jose, California, with a secondary office in Frisco, Texas.

Office Location(s): 6220 America Center Dr, San Jose, California 94089, US (Hybrid)

Geographic Context:

• San Jose is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, offering ample opportunities for professional growth and networking
• The area is known for its diverse culture, vibrant tech industry, and high quality of life
• Frisco, Texas, is a rapidly growing city with a strong job market and a lower cost of living compared to Silicon Valley

Work Schedule: Full-time, with an average of 1-6 on-site days per month

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and central location in the tech industry make McAfee an attractive employer for creative professionals seeking a balance between on-site collaboration and remote work.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Phone or video screen with the Talent Acquisition Partner
• On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager (CMO)
• Final interview with key stakeholders

Key Assessment Areas:

• Creative portfolio and case studies demonstrating campaign strategy, execution, and results
• Leadership and team management skills
• Brand stewardship and strategic thinking
• Adaptability and comfort with AI tools and platforms

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in creative strategy, campaign management, and team leadership
• Prepare a portfolio showcasing your creative direction, concept development, and campaign execution skills
• Be ready to discuss your experience with AI tools and platforms, and how you've used them to drive incremental value and impact
• Research McAfee's brand and marketing efforts to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its goals

ATS Keywords: Creative Direction, Campaign Management, Brand Stewardship, AI Tools, Design Framework, Marketing Strategy, Team Leadership

ASSUMPTION: McAfee's interview process focuses on assessing candidates' creative, strategic, and leadership skills, as well as their ability to adapt to new tools and platforms.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects)
• Sketch, Figma, or other design software
• Project management tools (Asana, JIRA, Trello)
• AI tools and platforms (depending on the candidate's experience and the role's requirements)

ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies for this role will depend on the candidate's experience and the specific needs of the team and organization.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Innovation
• Customer Obsessed
• One McAfee
• Growth Mindset
• Inclusive

Work Style:

• Collaborative and cross-functional
• Agile and adaptable
• Data-driven and strategic
• Focused on continuous learning and improvement

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How have you demonstrated innovation in your previous creative roles?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you drove customer-centric design and marketing efforts?
• How have you fostered a culture of growth and inclusivity within your teams?

ASSUMPTION: McAfee values innovation, customer obsession, and inclusivity, seeking candidates who align with these principles and can contribute to a collaborative and growth-oriented work environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Balancing a design-led point of view with flexibility to deliver against stakeholder needs
• Prioritizing design resourcing and initiatives based on business impact
• Managing a diverse team of designers and video producers with varying skillsets and work styles
• Navigating a large, global organization with multiple stakeholders and priorities

ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong leadership, strategic thinking, and adaptability, allowing successful candidates to drive impact and growth within the organization.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Creative Director vs. Art Director: Creative Directors focus on strategic direction and campaign management, while Art Directors focus on visual design and execution
• Creative Director vs. Marketing Manager: Creative Directors focus on creative strategy and campaign execution, while Marketing Managers oversee marketing efforts and collaborate with creative teams
• Career Path: Creative Directors can advance to leadership roles within marketing, such as VP of Marketing or Chief Marketing Officer, or transition to other senior leadership roles within the organization

ASSUMPTION: Understanding the differences between similar roles and the potential career paths within the industry can help candidates tailor their applications and prepare for interviews.

📝 Sample Projects

• Reimagining McAfee's brand identity and design framework to better resonate with consumers
• Developing and executing a 360° marketing campaign to launch a new product or service
• Creating a comprehensive design system and style guide to ensure consistent and unique activation across all touchpoints

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic, creative, and leadership skills required for the Creative Director role at McAfee.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role fit into the broader marketing strategy and organization?
• What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role?
• How does the team collaborate with other departments and stakeholders to drive marketing efforts?
• What opportunities are there for growth and development within the marketing department and the broader organization?
• How does McAfee support work-life balance for its employees?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and provides valuable insights into the work environment and company culture.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in creative strategy, campaign management, and team leadership
• Prepare a portfolio showcasing your creative direction, concept development, and campaign execution skills
• Research McAfee's brand and marketing efforts to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its goals
• Follow up with the Talent Acquisition Partner within one week of submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications

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