📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Creative Director, Copy, Future Opportunity
🔹 Company: Critical Mass
🔹 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid (3 days on-site per week)
🔹 Category: Advertising & Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: May 6, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 8+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (3 days per week)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving marketing strategies that address customer needs and business goals across digital channels
- Contributing creative solutions and innovations to strengthen agency brand and market leadership
- Developing and delivering innovative proposals to capture account growth and new business opportunities
- Promoting continuous improvement and accountability by driving creative discipline and operational excellence
- Leading and partnering with multidisciplinary teams to deliver strategic business objectives
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong balance of creative thinking and strategic insights to drive successful marketing initiatives.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Drive strategies that address customer needs and business goals across digital channels
✅ Contribute creative solutions and innovations to strengthen agency brand and market leadership
✅ Develop and deliver innovative proposals to capture account growth and new business opportunities
✅ Promote continuous improvement and accountability by driving creative discipline and operational excellence
✅ Perform strategic account planning with senior management in vertical marketing groups
✅ Conceive and create experience design solutions that fulfill strategic business objectives
✅ Effectively communicate creative ideas and strategies to all project stakeholders
✅ Lead and partner with multidisciplinary teams, including all creative disciplines, technology, planning, account, and program managers, partners, clients, and more
✅ Provide regular team leadership and constructive feedback on all accounts
✅ Develop, monitor, and modify the business unit creative department staffing strategies and plans, including team composition, performance, skills, training, and mentoring
✅ Develop, implement, and monitor quality standards across all creative artifacts and deliverables
✅ Continuously improve creative methods, problem-solving models, and best practices
✅ Proactively manage the success of production scope, schedules, and budgets
✅ Engage and inform practice leads from media, technology, marketing science, usability, and quality assurance to maximize results and ensure satisfaction
✅ Support and lead Human Resource initiatives with a focus on performance management
✅ Understand, embrace, and communicate corporate mission and values
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong leadership, communication, and project management skills to successfully manage and collaborate with multiple teams and stakeholders.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Marketing, Communications, or a related field
Experience: 8+ years of design, marketing, or communications interactive work and copywriting experience
Required Skills:
- Proven track record in creative direction and copywriting
- Strong portfolio showcasing creative thinking and strategic insights
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to manage and mentor creative teams
- Strong understanding of experience design, brand development, interactive commerce, and creative processes
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in an agency environment
- Fluency in multiple languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in creative direction and copywriting, with a proven track record of driving successful marketing initiatives.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: CAD 120,000 - 160,000 per year (Based on industry standards for an experienced Creative Director in Vancouver)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement savings plan with company match
- Employee assistance program
- Generous time off policies
- Professional development opportunities
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexible hours and the option to work remotely 2 days per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for an experienced Creative Director in Vancouver. Actual compensation may vary depending on factors such as experience and performance.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Critical Mass is a global advertising agency specializing in digital marketing, brand launch and experience, user experience and interaction, design, and more. They work with some of the world's most recognized brands, such as Apple, Nike, and Mars Wrigley.
Company Size: With over 1,000 employees, Critical Mass offers a large, diverse work environment with ample opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: Although the exact founding date is not specified, Critical Mass has been operating for over 20 years and has established itself as a leader in the digital marketing industry.
Company Description:
- Critical Mass is a team of 1,800 inspired folks based in 12 offices around the world, providing full-service digital capabilities for the greatest brands on Earth.
- They help their clients gain deep insight into their consumers and orchestrate data, AI, design, media, and tech stacks around human stories to create connected digital ecosystems and unparalleled experiences.
- Critical Mass is known for its uncompromising design standards, relentless focus on customers, and ability to put powerful new technologies to work for their clients.
Company Specialties:
- Digital Marketing
- Brand Launch & Experience
- User Experience & Interaction
- Design
- Insight & Planning
- Digital Campaign Management
- Social Media
- Mobile
- Technology Services
- Experience Design
- Experience Distribution
- Marketing Science
- eCommerce
Company Website: http://www.criticalmass.com
ASSUMPTION: Critical Mass is a well-established agency with a strong reputation in the digital marketing industry. They value creativity, innovation, and a customer-focused approach to their work.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, with the expectation of strategic decision-making and leadership.
Reporting Structure: The Creative Director, Copy, will report directly to the Executive Creative Director and will oversee a team of copywriters, art directors, and other creative professionals.
Work Arrangement: This role is hybrid, with an expectation of working on-site for 3 days per week. The remaining 2 days can be worked remotely.
Growth Opportunities:
- As a senior-level role, there may be opportunities for advancement to a leadership position, such as Executive Creative Director or Vice President of Creative.
- Critical Mass offers professional development opportunities, such as training and workshops, to help employees grow in their careers.
- The agency's global presence provides opportunities for international assignments or relocation.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within the agency and the broader digital marketing industry.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Critical Mass' Vancouver office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and innovation.
Office Location(s): 1011 9th Avenue SE, Suite 300, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (Headquarters), 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Ste. 2050, Chicago, IL, USA, 77 Kingsway, Holborn, London, WC2B 6SR, UK, 312 Adelaide St. West, 6th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 300 metros al oeste de CENADA, Metro Park, zona franca metropolitana, Barreal, Heredia Edificio 5b-B, Costa Rica, 200 Varick St, New York, NY, USA
Geographic Context:
- Vancouver is a multicultural city with a high quality of life, offering a mix of urban and outdoor living.
- The city has a thriving tech and digital marketing industry, with numerous opportunities for networking and professional growth.
- Vancouver has a mild, oceanic climate, with mild winters and cool summers.
Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexible hours and the option to work remotely 2 days per week
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a good balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the Talent Acquisition team
- Creative challenge or portfolio review with the Creative Director or Art Director
- In-depth interview with the Executive Creative Director and other senior team members
- Final interview with the President or another senior leader
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creative portfolio and problem-solving skills
- Strategic thinking and communication skills
- Leadership and team management skills
- Alignment with Critical Mass' values and company culture
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your creative thinking, strategic insights, and ability to drive successful marketing initiatives
- Research Critical Mass' company culture and values to demonstrate your alignment with their mission and goals
ATS Keywords: Creative Direction, Copywriting, Strategic Thinking, Marketing Initiatives, Team Leadership, Creative Portfolio, Marketing Strategies, Digital Channels, Brand Strengthening, Account Growth, New Business Opportunities, Creative Discipline, Operational Excellence, Quality Standards, Performance Management, Marketing Science, Experience Design, Brand Development, Interactive Commerce, Creative Processes
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's creative skills, strategic thinking, and leadership abilities, as well as their cultural fit with the company.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, JIRA, Trello)
- Creative brief and presentation tools (e.g., Google Slides, Keynote)
ASSUMPTION: The Creative Director, Copy, will be expected to have a strong working knowledge of industry-standard creative and project management tools.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Honest: We are open, transparent, and truthful in our interactions with each other and our clients
- Inspired: We are passionate about our work and strive to create meaningful, impactful experiences for our clients and their customers
- Drive: We are proactive, driven, and committed to delivering exceptional results for our clients
- Passionate: We are enthusiastic about our work and dedicated to helping our clients succeed
- Real: We are authentic, approachable, and genuine in our interactions with each other and our clients
Work Style:
- Collaborative: Critical Mass values a team-oriented approach to problem-solving and decision-making
- Creative: The agency encourages innovation, experimentation, and risk-taking in pursuit of exceptional results
- Client-focused: Critical Mass prioritizes understanding and meeting the unique needs of each client
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody and embrace Critical Mass' values in your daily work?
- Can you describe a time when you had to balance creative thinking with strategic insights to drive a successful marketing initiative?
- How do you approach mentoring and developing the creative skills of your team members?
ASSUMPTION: Critical Mass values candidates who are passionate, driven, and committed to delivering exceptional results for their clients, while also embodying the company's core values.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a large creative team and balancing the needs of multiple clients and projects
- Navigating a fast-paced, dynamic agency environment with shifting priorities and tight deadlines
- Adapting to a hybrid work arrangement, balancing on-site collaboration with remote work
- Developing and implementing quality standards across all creative artifacts and deliverables
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong leadership, communication, and project management skills, as well as a commitment to continuous improvement and learning.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Creative Director, Copy, vs. Creative Director, Art: The Copy-focused role requires strong writing and strategic thinking skills, while the Art-focused role emphasizes visual design and aesthetic sensibilities
- Creative Director, Copy, vs. Group Creative Director: The Group Creative Director role involves overseeing multiple creative teams and managing a larger budget, while the Creative Director, Copy, role focuses on driving marketing initiatives for a single client or account
- Creative Director, Copy, vs. Executive Creative Director: The Executive Creative Director role involves overseeing the entire creative department and setting the agency's creative vision, while the Creative Director, Copy, role focuses on driving marketing initiatives for a specific client or account
ASSUMPTION: Each role within the creative department requires a unique blend of skills and responsibilities, with opportunities for growth and advancement based on individual strengths and career goals.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive marketing strategy for a new product launch, including copywriting for advertising campaigns, website content, and social media posts
- Creating a brand style guide and tone of voice guidelines for a rebranding initiative
- Conducting user research and usability testing to inform the design and content of a new website or mobile app
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and skills required for the Creative Director, Copy, role, from strategic planning and creative concepting to tactical execution and quality assurance.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics of the creative department, and how this role fits within that structure?
- How does Critical Mass approach mentoring and professional development for its creative team members?
- What are the key priorities and challenges facing the agency and the creative department in the coming year?
- How does Critical Mass measure the success of its creative campaigns and marketing initiatives?
- What opportunities exist for growth and advancement within the agency, and how does Critical Mass support its employees in pursuing those opportunities?
ASSUMPTION: Asking insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and your commitment to understanding the company's culture and values.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your creative thinking, strategic insights, and ability to drive successful marketing initiatives
- Research Critical Mass' company culture and values to demonstrate your alignment with their mission and goals
- Follow up with the Talent Acquisition team 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.
