📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Head of Creative (Executive Creative Director)
🔹 Company: MATTE PROJECTS
🔹 Location: New York, New York
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Advertising & Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: May 7, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategic and operational growth of creative services across campaign, content, and experiential
- Collaboration with operations and Chief Creative Officer to integrate creative vision with business objectives
- Mentoring and leading a multi-disciplinary creative team
- Driving revenue growth through creative excellence and client satisfaction
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of creative vision, business acumen, and leadership skills to drive MATTE Projects' creative output and growth.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Creative Vision & Direction: Lead the development and execution of the creative vision across all channels, pushing boundaries while remaining relevant and impactful
✅ Strategic Leadership: Collaborate with executive leadership to drive the creative strategy, ensuring it aligns with business objectives
✅ End-to-End Creative Oversight: Oversee the entire creative process, from ideation to execution, ensuring projects meet client expectations, timelines, and budget requirements
✅ Pitching & Business Growth: Lead high-stakes pitches and presentations for new business, fostering long-term client relationships
✅ Team Leadership & Development: Manage and inspire a multi-disciplinary creative team, cultivating a culture of collaboration, experimentation, and excellence
✅ Cross-Department Collaboration: Partner with operations, strategy, and production teams to ensure smooth collaboration and integration of creative vision across all departments
✅ Client & Stakeholder Management: Serve as the primary creative lead in client interactions, building and maintaining strong relationships through clear communication and presentation of creative work
✅ Operational Efficiency: Drive operational improvements within the creative department, optimizing workflows, managing resources, and overseeing the allocation of talent to ensure efficient project execution
✅ Trend Spotting & Innovation: Stay ahead of industry trends, emerging technologies, and new creative methodologies, continuously seeking innovative approaches to storytelling and design
✅ Revenue Impact & Accountability: Play a critical role in generating revenue through the creative function, directly influencing business outcomes by delivering work that meets or exceeds client objectives
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, strategic thinking, and leadership to drive MATTE Projects' creative output and business growth.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Design, Fine Arts, Communications, or Marketing)
Experience: 15+ years of experience in a senior creative leadership role at an agency or creative studio, ideally with a focus on campaign, content, and experiential
Required Skills:
- Proven track record of winning and delivering big business, driving successful pitches, and managing client relationships at the executive level
- Exceptional creative vision, with an ability to push boundaries and deliver work that challenges industry norms and inspires audiences
- Strong operational capabilities, with experience managing creative workflows and cross-functional collaboration
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of clearly articulating creative concepts and strategies to clients and internal teams
- Deep understanding of the creative landscape, with a pulse on emerging trends and technologies
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Fluency in multiple languages (beneficial but not required)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong portfolio demonstrating their creative vision and leadership skills will be highly competitive for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $240,000 - $280,000/year
Benefits:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
- 401k with a 4% company contribution max match
- Fully covered yearly Citibike membership wellness perk
- Talkspace membership wellness perk
- Competitive PTO package
- End of Year Recharge paid time off
- Sabbatical Program option after three years of employment
- Parental Leave for all new parents
- Hybrid Work Environment
Working Hours: Full-time, with a hybrid work arrangement (on-site and remote work)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for a Head of Creative role in the New York area, with consideration for the required experience level and the company's size.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Advertising & Marketing
Company Size: 51-200 employees
Founded: 2012
Company Description:
- MATTE Projects is a 360° full-service creative studio at the convergence of hype, storytelling, and design
- The company brings people together to inspire new ways of engaging, provoke long-term progress, and entertain audiences worldwide
- MATTE Projects helps forward-thinking brands and institutions nimbly and truly do the same
Company Specialties:
- Strategy & Insights
- Branding & Identity
- Content Production & Management
- Experiential Design & Production
- Entertainment
- Virtual Experiences
- Innovation
Company Website: http://www.matteprojects.com
ASSUMPTION: MATTE Projects is a well-established creative studio with a strong focus on innovation, storytelling, and design, offering a unique opportunity for creative professionals to grow and make an impact.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Executive (Senior Leadership)
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Chief Creative Officer and collaborates with the President and executive leadership
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (on-site and remote work)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to shape the future of MATTE Projects' creative output and influence industry trends
- Opportunity to mentor and develop creative talent, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence
- Possibility to grow within the organization as the company continues to expand and evolve
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a lasting impact on MATTE Projects' creative direction and business success.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Creative studio environment with a hybrid work arrangement
Office Location(s): 174 Hudson Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10013, US
Geographic Context:
- New York, New York is a vibrant and diverse city with a thriving creative industry
- The office is located in the Hudson Square neighborhood, close to various amenities and transportation options
- The area is known for its creative agencies, media companies, and cultural institutions
Work Schedule: Full-time, with a hybrid work arrangement (on-site and remote work)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers flexibility while maintaining a collaborative and creative work environment.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the HR department
- Creative portfolio presentation and interview with the Chief Creative Officer and/or other senior team members
- Final interview with the President or another executive leader
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creative vision and direction
- Strategic leadership and business acumen
- Communication and presentation skills
- Leadership and team management skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a comprehensive creative portfolio that demonstrates your creative vision, leadership, and problem-solving abilities
- Research MATTE Projects' past campaigns and projects to show your understanding of their creative approach and brand ethos
ATS Keywords: Creative Direction, Strategic Leadership, Business Growth, Team Management, Client Relationships, Campaign, Content, Experiential, Branding, Innovation
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's creative vision, strategic thinking, leadership skills, and cultural fit with MATTE Projects.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, etc.)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
- Presentation software (e.g., Keynote, Google Slides)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in industry-standard creative software and project management tools is essential for this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Creativity and innovation
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Risk-taking and experimentation
- Client-centric approach
- Continuous learning and growth
Work Style:
- Creative and dynamic
- Fast-paced and deadline-driven
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-focused and accountable
- Adaptable and open to feedback
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you approach pushing creative boundaries while remaining relevant and impactful to clients and audiences?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully managed a high-stakes pitch or presentation, and how you handled client feedback?
- How do you foster a culture of collaboration, experimentation, and excellence within a creative team?
ASSUMPTION: MATTE Projects values candidates who are creative, innovative, collaborative, and adaptable, with a strong work ethic and a client-centric mindset.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a multi-disciplinary creative team with varying levels of experience and expertise
- Balancing creative ambition with operational constraints to deliver outstanding work within scope and budget
- Navigating a fast-paced, dynamic work environment with tight deadlines and competing priorities
- Adapting to changes in client needs, market trends, and industry best practices
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong leadership, adaptability, and a strategic mindset to overcome.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from other creative leadership positions in its focus on campaign, content, and experiential work, requiring a broad range of creative expertise
- MATTE Projects' unique blend of creativity, innovation, and client-centric approach sets it apart from other advertising and marketing agencies
- Career progression in this role may involve growing into a Chief Creative Officer or other executive leadership position within the company
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity for creative professionals to grow and make an impact in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive creative campaign for a major brand launch, including branding, identity, content, and experiential elements
- Leading a team to create a virtual experience for a high-profile event, combining innovative storytelling, design, and technology
- Managing a rebranding project for an established institution, updating its visual identity and communication strategy to reflect its evolving mission and values
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the breadth of creative work and leadership required for this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does MATTE Projects support the professional growth and development of its creative team members?
- Can you describe the company's approach to fostering a culture of innovation and experimentation within the creative department?
- How does MATTE Projects measure the success of its creative campaigns and projects, and how does this inform the creative process?
- What opportunities exist for collaboration and knowledge-sharing between the creative team and other departments within the company?
- How does MATTE Projects approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in its creative work and internal culture?
ASSUMPTION: These questions will help candidates better understand the company's culture, values, and approach to creative work and team development.
📌 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 comprehensive creative portfolio that demonstrates your creative vision, leadership, and problem-solving abilities
- Research MATTE Projects' past campaigns and projects to show your understanding of their creative approach and brand ethos
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest in the role and 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.
