📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Executive Creative Director
🔹 Company: NBA
🔹 Location: New York, NY
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid (1 day remote per week)
🔹 Category: Sports, Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: April 16, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 12+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving the NBA's global creative vision across all marketing and brand assets
- Leading 360° creative direction for integrated campaigns across TV, digital, social media, OOH, print, and experiential activations
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver cohesive, impactful, and innovative creative executions
- Managing and allocating creative resources, and working with project management to create project plans
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creative leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to adapt to changing business needs. The ideal candidate will have a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise across all media and channels.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and drive the NBA’s overarching creative vision across all marketing and brand assets
✅ Lead creative direction for integrated campaigns spanning TV, digital, social media, OOH, print, and experiential activations
✅ Oversee the creative process for large-scale marketing campaigns, from concept through to execution
✅ Collaborate with key internal stakeholders, including marketing, media, and partners to develop and execute creative strategies
✅ Stay ahead of industry trends, emerging technologies, and audience behavior to bring fresh, innovative ideas to the creative process
✅ Manage and allocate creative resources and work with project management to create project plans
ASSUMPTION: The role requires a strong understanding of brand development, digital media, social platforms, and current creative trends. The candidate should possess exceptional creative vision, strong leadership and team management skills, and the ability to collaborate and influence cross-functional teams.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 12+ years of creative leadership experience in sports, media, or entertainment
Required Skills:
- Deep understanding of brand development, digital media, social platforms, and current creative trends
- Exceptional creative vision with a strategic mindset
- Strong leadership and team management skills, with a focus on mentorship and developing creative talent
- Ability to collaborate and influence cross-functional teams, including senior leadership, marketing, and creative staff
- Proven track record of managing and delivering complex projects on time and within budget
- Passion for sports, specifically basketball, and an understanding of the NBA’s brand and audience
- Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and communicate a creative vision to internal and external stakeholders
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in a global organization
- Fluency in multiple languages
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise across various media and channels, and a proven track record of driving creative vision and strategy in a global organization.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $250,000 - $280,000 per year
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
- Employee discounts on NBA merchandise and tickets
- Professional development opportunities
Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with flexibility for project needs
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a role of this level in the sports and entertainment industry. Benefits are subject to change and may vary based on employment status.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: The NBA is a global sports and media organization with a major international presence. It operates five professional sports leagues and has established a significant social media community worldwide.
Company Size: The NBA has 51-200 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: The NBA was founded in 1949 and has since grown into a global brand with a mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.
Company Description:
- The NBA is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.
- Built around five professional sports leagues, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 215 countries and territories in more than 50 languages.
- The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with 2.1 billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms.
Company Specialties:
- Entertainment
- Sports
- Live Events
- Sports Management
- and Basketball
Company Website: NBA.com
ASSUMPTION: The NBA's global presence and mission to inspire and connect people through basketball provide a unique opportunity for the ideal candidate to make a significant impact on the organization's creative vision and strategy.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Executive
Reporting Structure: The Executive Creative Director will report to the Senior Vice President of Advertising, Brand & Creative.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with one day of remote work per week.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a senior leadership role within the marketing department
- Opportunities to work on high-profile campaigns and events, such as the NBA Finals and All-Star Weekend
- Chance to collaborate with and learn from industry experts and influencers
ASSUMPTION: The Executive Creative Director role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a lasting impact on the NBA's global brand and marketing strategy.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid, with one day of remote work per week
Office Location(s): New York, NY
Geographic Context:
- New York City is a major global hub for sports, entertainment, and media
- The NBA's headquarters is located in the heart of Manhattan, providing easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities
- The city offers a diverse and vibrant culture, with numerous opportunities for networking and professional development
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with flexibility for project needs
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and central location of the NBA's headquarters provide a flexible and convenient work environment for the ideal candidate.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and other department leaders
- Portfolio presentation and creative challenge
- Final interview with senior leadership
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creative vision and strategic thinking
- Leadership and team management skills
- Collaboration and communication skills
- Understanding of the NBA brand and audience
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your creative vision, leadership skills, and passion for basketball
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your expertise across various media and channels
- Research the NBA's brand, marketing strategy, and recent campaigns to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and its goals
ATS Keywords: Creative Direction, Brand Development, Digital Media, Social Platforms, Campaign Execution, Project Management, Basketball, NBA
ASSUMPTION: The application process for the Executive Creative Director role will focus on assessing the candidate's creative vision, leadership skills, and understanding of the NBA brand and audience.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Project management tools (Asana, Trello, JIRA)
- Design and prototyping tools (Sketch, Figma, InVision)
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience with industry-standard creative and project management tools, as well as a strong understanding of the NBA's brand guidelines and design systems.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball
- Collaborate and innovate to drive growth and success
- Embrace diversity, inclusion, and respect for all
Work Style:
- Creative and innovative
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and responsive to changing business needs
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with the NBA's mission to inspire and connect people through the power of basketball?
- Describe your experience working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment and driving creative vision and strategy
- How do you stay ahead of industry trends and emerging technologies to bring fresh, innovative ideas to the creative process?
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of the NBA's brand, values, and work style, as well as a passion for basketball and a commitment to driving creative vision and strategy in a collaborative environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing and allocating creative resources across multiple channels and campaigns
- Balancing the need for creative innovation with adherence to brand guidelines and marketing timelines
- Working with a diverse range of stakeholders, including senior leadership, marketing, and creative staff
- Adapting to changing business needs and priorities
ASSUMPTION: The Executive Creative Director role presents unique challenges that require strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to collaborate and influence cross-functional teams.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike other creative director roles, this position requires a deep understanding of basketball and the NBA brand
- This role offers the opportunity to work on high-profile campaigns and events, with a global reach and impact
- Career progression in this role may lead to senior leadership positions within the marketing department
ASSUMPTION: The Executive Creative Director role at the NBA provides a unique opportunity for creative leadership and growth within the global sports and entertainment industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Reimagining the NBA's global brand identity and visual language
- Developing a cohesive creative strategy for the NBA's 75th anniversary celebration
- Creating innovative and engaging content for the NBA's social media platforms, including Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok
ASSUMPTION: The Executive Creative Director role at the NBA offers a wide range of creative projects and opportunities to make a significant impact on the organization's global brand and marketing strategy.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall marketing strategy and business objectives for the NBA?
- What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role?
- How does the NBA support the professional development and growth of its creative team members?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working in a global organization, and how does the NBA address these challenges?
- How does the NBA measure the success of its creative campaigns and initiatives?
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will ask thoughtful and insightful questions to demonstrate their understanding of the role, the organization, and the industry.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the NBA Careers website
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your creative vision, leadership skills, and passion for basketball
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your expertise across various media and channels
- Research the NBA's brand, marketing strategy, and recent campaigns to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and its goals
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application 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.
