Creative Director

📌 Core Information 🔹 Job Title: Creative Director 🔹 Company: The Allen Institute for AI 🔹 Location: Seattle, WA 🔹 Job Type: On-site, Full-time 🔹 Category: Design, Management 🔹 Date Posted: April 4, 2025 🔹 Experience Level: 15+ years (5+ years in leadership role) 🚀 Job Overview Key aspects of this role include: - Defining and driving the creative vision for Ai2's design strategy and visual identity - Leading a team of designers to transform complex AI concepts into intuitive user experiences - Collaborating cross-functionally to shape the future of AI products - Balancing strategic oversight with hands-on design work ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong blend of creative leadership, strategic thinking, and hands-on design skills. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in a senior creative leadership role within the tech or consumer industry. 📋 Key Responsibilities ✅ Strategic Leadership & Vision - Own defining a creative vision, design library, and assets that align with Ai2’s brand and strategy - Develop long-term design strategies that elevate our brand and experiences - Represent the creative team in strategic meetings with senior leadership, providing insights that shape company direction ✅ Hands-On Visual & Product Design - Own end-to-end deliverables for key workstreams with a focus on visual design - Establish and maintain comprehensive design systems, style guides, and UI/UX patterns for consistent visual storytelling - Translate complex AI concepts into intuitive, user-centric designs that enhance usability and engagement - Utilize data-driven insights and user feedback to refine and iterate on design solutions ✅ Team Management & Mentorship - Directly manage and mentor senior product designers and UX researchers, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation - Establish and lead a design review process to ensure high-quality deliverables and continuous improvement - Facilitate team workshops and brainstorming sessions to drive creative problem-solving - Lead team both directly and indirectly through second level managers ✅ Collaboration & Cross-Functional Coordination - Work closely with research, engineering, program management, marketing, and partnership teams to ensure design deliverables meet company goals and user needs - Lead initiatives that bridge the gap between design and technology, ensuring creative solutions are both innovative and technically feasible - Work with external PR agency and business partners as necessary to support project goals ✅ Project & Process Management - Oversee multiple design projects from ideation through to execution, ensuring adherence to deadlines and quality standards - Manage team budget and resource allocation, including staffing, priorities, budget planning, and approving method changes - Conduct post-project reviews to capture insights and foster continuous process improvement ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple projects, manage resources effectively, and drive continuous improvement. 🎯 Required Qualifications Education: - Bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred Experience: - 15+ years of experience in visual design, UX, product design, and/or related field, including 5+ years in a leadership role setting and leading creative direction - 5+ years of management experience leading a multidisciplinary design team with multiple direct reports Required Skills: - Exceptional visual design skills with expertise in industry-standard tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, etc.) - Strong leadership capabilities and experience mentoring senior designers - Creative thinker, scrappy, and thrives in a fast-paced, innovative environment - Passion for technology, innovation, and design, with an aptitude for translating complex AI concepts into intuitive visual experiences - Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence across various levels and teams in an organization Preferred Skills: - Experience working in a non-profit or research institute environment - Familiarity with AI or machine learning concepts ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in AI or machine learning, as well as those familiar with non-profit or research institute environments, may have an advantage in this role. 💰 Compensation & Benefits Salary Range: $188,640 - $282,960 (based on experience level and industry standards for a Creative Director role in Seattle) Benefits: - Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance - Short-term and long-term disability insurance - Employee assistance program - Voluntary life insurance, health savings account, healthcare reimbursement arrangement, and flexible spending account plans - 401k plan - Commuting assistance ($125/month) and fitness/wellness expenses ($200/month) - Up to ten sick days, up to seven personal days, up to 12 vacation days (increases with tenure), and twelve paid holidays per year - Variable compensation through the Long Term Incentive plan Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for project demands ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Creative Director role in Seattle. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience and qualifications. 📌 Applicant Insights 🔍 Company Context Industry: Non-profit Organizations, focusing on AI research and development Company Size: 201-500 employees Founded: 2014 Company Description: The Allen Institute for AI (Ai2) is a Seattle-based non-profit AI research institute founded in 2014 by the late Paul Allen. Our mission is building breakthrough AI to solve the world’s biggest problems. We develop foundational AI research and innovation to deliver real-world impact through large-scale open models, data, robotics, conservation, and beyond. Company Specialties: - Artificial Intelligence - Deep Learning - Natural Language Processing - Computer Vision - Machine Reading - Machine Learning - Knowledge Extraction - Common Sense AI - Machine Reasoning - Information Extraction - Language Modeling Company Website: ASSUMPTION: Ai2 is a leading AI research institute with a strong focus on open-source models and data. This role offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI projects with a significant impact on various industries. 📊 Role Analysis Career Level: Senior leadership role with a focus on creative direction and team management Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Senior Vice President of Design & User Experience Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time position with flexibility for remote work during specific periods (e.g., during the COVID-19 pandemic) Growth Opportunities: - Mentoring and coaching opportunities for junior designers - Potential to expand the design team and take on additional responsibilities as the organization grows - Opportunities to work on diverse AI projects and gain exposure to various AI technologies ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential, both in terms of team expansion and personal development. Candidates with a strong interest in mentoring and coaching junior designers may find this role particularly appealing. 🌍 Location & Work Environment Office Type: On-site, with a collaborative and open office space Office Location: Seattle, WA (with potential for remote work during specific periods) Geographic Context: - Seattle is a vibrant, coastal city with a mild climate and a strong focus on technology and innovation - The office is located on the waterfront, offering stunning views and easy access to outdoor activities Work Schedule: - Standard work hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility for project demands - The team follows a flexible time-off policy, with up to 12 vacation days per year (increases with tenure) ASSUMPTION: The on-site work environment at Ai2 is collaborative, open, and visually inspiring, with a strong focus on work-life balance. Candidates who thrive in a creative, dynamic, and flexible work environment may find this role particularly appealing. 💼 Interview & Application Insights Typical Process: 1. Phone or video screen with the HR team 2. Design challenge or portfolio review with the design team 3. On-site interview with the design team and senior leadership 4. Final interviews with the CEO and other key stakeholders Key Assessment Areas: - Design portfolio and problem-solving skills - Strategic thinking and creative vision - Leadership and management skills - Cultural fit and alignment with Ai2's values Application Tips: 1. Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role 2. Prepare a strong design portfolio showcasing your visual design, UX, and product design skills 3. Be ready to discuss your design process, as well as your ability to translate complex AI concepts into intuitive user experiences 4. Research Ai2 and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the organization's mission and values ATS Keywords: Creative Director, Visual Design, UX Design, Product Design, Team Management, Mentorship, Collaboration, Cross-Functional Coordination, Project Management, Strategic Vision, Design Systems, User-Centric Design, Data-Driven Insights, Communication Skills, Attention to Detail, Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, AI, Machine Learning, Non-profit, Research Institute ASSUMPTION: The interview process at Ai2 is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit. Candidates who can demonstrate a strong portfolio, strategic thinking, and a clear understanding of Ai2's mission and values may have an advantage in the interview process. 🛠️ Tools & Technologies - Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD) - Figma - Sketch - InVision - Zeplin - JIRA - Confluence - Slack - Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in industry-standard design tools, as well as project management and collaboration tools, may find this role particularly appealing. 👔 Cultural Fit Considerations Company Values: - Breakthrough innovation: We push the boundaries of what's possible to solve the world's biggest problems - Open collaboration: We believe in the power of collective intelligence and work together to achieve our goals - Continuous learning: We foster a culture of curiosity and lifelong learning - Diversity, equity, and inclusion: We value and celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences of our team members - Impact: We strive to make a meaningful difference in the world through our work Work Style: - Collaborative and open: We encourage open communication and active participation in decision-making processes - Flexible and adaptable: We embrace change and adapt to new challenges and opportunities as they arise - Data-driven: We use data to inform our decisions and continuously improve our processes and outcomes - User-centric: We prioritize the needs and preferences of our users in all our design and product development efforts Self-Assessment Questions: 1. How do you align with Ai2's value of breakthrough innovation, and what examples can you provide from your previous work? 2. How do you approach open collaboration, and how have you leveraged collective intelligence in your past roles? 3. What steps do you take to foster a culture of continuous learning and growth within your teams? 4. How do you prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in your leadership and design processes? 5. Can you describe a time when you made a significant impact through your work, and what steps did you take to ensure that your efforts had a lasting and meaningful effect? ASSUMPTION: Ai2 values candidates who can demonstrate a strong alignment with the organization's values and a commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative work environment. ⚠️ Potential Challenges 1. Complex AI concepts: This role requires the ability to translate complex AI concepts into intuitive user experiences. Candidates should have a strong understanding of AI or machine learning concepts and be comfortable working with technical teams to ensure design feasibility. 2. Fast-paced environment: Ai2 is a dynamic and fast-paced organization, with a strong focus on innovation and continuous improvement. Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and adapting to new challenges and opportunities as they arise. 3. Leadership and management responsibilities: This role involves managing a team of designers and driving high-impact projects. Candidates should have strong leadership and management skills, as well as the ability to mentor and coach junior designers. 4. Cross-functional collaboration: This role requires close collaboration with various departments, including research, engineering, program management, marketing, and partnership teams. Candidates should be comfortable working with diverse teams and driving consensus on design decisions. ASSUMPTION: Candidates who can demonstrate strong leadership, management, and collaboration skills, as well as a clear understanding of AI or machine learning concepts, may find this role particularly challenging but also rewarding. 📈 Similar Roles Comparison 1. Creative Director vs. Art Director: While both roles focus on visual design and creative direction, the Creative Director role at Ai2 has a stronger emphasis on strategic vision, team management, and cross-functional collaboration. The Art Director role may focus more on hands-on design and visual aesthetics. 2. Tech vs. Consumer industry: The Creative Director role at Ai2 is focused on AI products and services, requiring a strong understanding of AI or machine learning concepts. In contrast, a Creative Director role in the consumer industry may focus more on branding, marketing, and user experience design for consumer-facing products. 3. Non-profit vs. Enterprise: The Creative Director role at Ai2 is within a non-profit organization, with a strong focus on open-source models, data, and AI research. In contrast, a Creative Director role within an enterprise organization may have a stronger focus on commercial products, revenue growth, and market competition. ASSUMPTION: Candidates should carefully consider the unique aspects of this role and how their skills and experience align with the specific requirements and context of the Creative Director role at Ai2. 📝 Sample Projects 1. AI Playground: Ai2's AI Playground enables users to understand and inspect the inner workings of large language models. As the Creative Director, you would be responsible for defining the visual design and user experience for this platform, ensuring that it is intuitive, engaging, and informative for users. 2. Earth System platform: Ai2 is developing an Earth System platform to address global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion. As the Creative Director, you would be responsible for defining the visual design and user experience for this platform, ensuring that it is user-centric, data-driven, and visually compelling. 3. AI agents: Ai2 is working on designs and interaction patterns for the future of AI agents. As the Creative Director, you would be responsible for defining the visual design and user experience for these agents, ensuring that they are intuitive, engaging, and effective in their intended use cases. ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse and cutting-edge nature of the Creative Director role at Ai2. Candidates should be prepared to work on a wide range of AI-related projects and adapt to new challenges and opportunities as they arise. ❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview 1. Role Responsibilities: Can you provide more details about the day-to-day responsibilities of the Creative Director role and how they align with my skills and experience? 2. Team Structure: How is the design team currently structured, and what opportunities are there for growth and expansion as the organization evolves? 3. AI Projects: Can you describe some of the AI projects that the design team is currently working on, and how the Creative Director role would contribute to their success? 4. Company Culture: How would you describe the company culture at Ai2, and what steps does the organization take to foster a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative work environment? 5. Growth Opportunities: What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within the Creative Director role, and how does the organization support the career advancement of its team members? ASSUMPTION: These key questions are designed to help candidates better understand the specific requirements and context of the Creative Director role at Ai2, as well as the organization's culture, values, and growth opportunities. 📌 Next Steps for Applicants To apply for this position: 1. Submit your application through this link: 2. Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, with a focus on visual design, UX, product design, team management, and strategic vision 3. Prepare a strong design portfolio showcasing your visual design, UX, and product design skills, as well as your ability to translate complex AI concepts into intuitive user experiences 4. Be ready to discuss your design process, as well as your ability to drive high-impact projects, mentor and coach junior designers, and collaborate cross-functionally to shape the future of AI products 5. Research Ai2 and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the organization's mission and values 6. Follow up with the Ai2 recruitment team one week after submitting your application to inquire about your application status and next steps in the interview process ⚠️ Disclaimer This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions. The employer is solely responsible for the accuracy of the information provided.