- Job Title: On-Call Associate Creative Director - Energy
- Company: ICF Next
- Location: Reston, Virginia, United States (Remote OK)
- Job Type: Part-Time
- Category: Creative & Design
- Date Posted: April 11, 2025
- Experience Level: 10+ years
- Remote Status: Remote OK (VA, MD, or Remote)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading and designing creative work for energy distributors in large markets
- Collaborating with project managers and clients to develop effective creative solutions
- Mentoring junior members of the creative team
- Working with web development teams and understanding technology and front-end development
- Conceptualizing large campaigns and applying emerging AI applications to creative work
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, leadership, and adaptability to work on a variety of projects and collaborate with diverse teams.
📋 Key Responsibilities
- Lead and design branding campaigns, advertising campaigns, and high-visibility websites for energy distributors
- Collaborate with project managers and clients to identify creative approaches and find the best solutions that are on message and bring fresh thinking to projects
- Work with a large team to ensure content works toward changing behavior
- Mentor and foster the development of junior members of the creative team
- Consult with clients to find the best creative solutions for their projects
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of creative direction, project management, and client interaction, requiring strong communication and organizational skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field
- Experience: 10+ years of advertising and design experience
- Required Skills:
- Proven creative success in collaborating with multifunctional teams
- Experience in the energy sector, specifically in power production/distribution
- Ability to conceptualize large campaigns
- Proficiency in web design and understanding of web development processes
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- Highly organized with strong workload prioritization and management skills
- Preferred Skills:
- Skill working with web development teams and directing the design process while understanding the technology and front-end development
- Up-to-date with current trends in web design, web tools, and social media integration
- A portfolio that showcases the variety of projects contributed to
ASSUMPTION: While a Bachelor's degree is required, relevant work experience and a strong portfolio may be considered more important for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
- Salary Range: $89,203 - $151,646 per year (based on full-time employment)
- Benefits: ICF offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information, please visit [ICF's Benefits page](https://www.icf.com/benefits).
- Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexible scheduling and remote work options available
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a part-time, experienced creative director in the energy sector. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as relevant work experience, skills, certifications, and contract provisions.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
- Industry: Business Consulting and Services
- Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
- Founded: Privately Held
- Company Description: ICF Next is an award-winning agency that partners with energy distributors in large key markets to provide authentic and robust communication with customers, stakeholders, legislators, activists, and media around energy efficiency and service.
- Company Specialties: Energy efficiency, customer engagement, branding, advertising, web design, and creative strategy
📊 Role Analysis
- Career Level: Experienced professional
- Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Creative Studio Lead and works closely with project managers, clients, and the senior creative team
- Work Arrangement: Remote OK (VA, MD, or Remote) with flexible scheduling
- Growth Opportunities: Potential to lead larger projects, mentor junior team members, and contribute to the growth of the Creative Studio
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the creative team and the broader organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
- Office Type: Remote OK (VA, MD, or Remote)
- Office Location(s): Reston, Virginia; Bethesda, Maryland; or Remote
- Geographic Context: Reston and Bethesda are located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, offering a mix of urban and suburban living with easy access to cultural attractions, outdoor recreation, and major transportation hubs. Remote work offers flexibility and the opportunity to work from anywhere with a reliable internet connection.
- Work Schedule: Flexible scheduling with a focus on delivering high-quality work and meeting project deadlines
ASSUMPTION: The remote work option provides flexibility and the ability to balance work and personal life, while the office locations offer opportunities for collaboration and in-person interaction with team members and clients.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
- Typical Process: 1. Online application submission 2. Phone or video screen 3. In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and creative team members 4. Final interview with the Creative Studio Lead
- Key Assessment Areas: Creative portfolio, problem-solving skills, communication and presentation skills, understanding of the energy sector, and cultural fit
- Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your work that demonstrate your ability to lead and design creative campaigns, collaborate with teams, and mentor junior team members
- Research ICF Next and the energy sector to show your understanding of the company and industry
ASSUMPTION: The interview process focuses on assessing your creative skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the ICF Next team.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Sketch or Figma
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Jira, Trello)
- Web development tools (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in industry-standard creative and project management tools is required, while experience with web development tools is preferred.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
- Company Values: ICF values integrity, quality, and collaboration. They foster a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and employee growth.
- Work Style: ICF Next values a flexible, results-driven work environment that encourages creativity, collaboration, and open communication.
- Self-Assessment Questions:
- How have you demonstrated your ability to lead and mentor junior team members in previous roles?
- How do you stay up-to-date with current trends in web design, web tools, and social media integration?
- How have you applied your creative skills to the energy sector in previous roles?
ASSUMPTION: ICF Next values candidates who are passionate about their work, committed to continuous learning, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Balancing multiple projects and deadlines while working remotely
- Collaborating effectively with team members and clients in different time zones
- Staying up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies in the energy sector
- Managing a team of junior creatives and providing constructive feedback to support their growth
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong time management skills, effective communication, and a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- On-Call Associate Creative Director - Energy vs. Full-Time Creative Director - Energy
- On-call role offers more flexibility and work-life balance but may have fewer opportunities for career advancement
- Full-time role provides more consistent hours and potential for career growth within the organization
ASSUMPTION: The on-call role may be a better fit for experienced professionals seeking flexibility and work-life balance, while the full-time role may be more suitable for those looking for consistent hours and career advancement opportunities.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive branding campaign for a major energy distributor, including logo design, brand guidelines, and marketing materials
- Creating an engaging and user-friendly website for an energy efficiency program, incorporating interactive elements and responsive design
- Designing an advertising campaign to promote energy-saving behaviors among residential customers, including print, digital, and social media assets
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the variety of creative work and the level of responsibility required for this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does ICF Next support the professional development and growth of its creative team members?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working on energy sector projects, and how does ICF Next address these challenges?
- How does ICF Next foster a culture of collaboration and open communication within its creative teams?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
ASSUMPTION: These questions help assess the company's commitment to employee growth, the nature of energy sector projects, the work environment, and the expectations for the role's first few months.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through [this link](https://careers.icf.com/us/en/job/R2501023/On-Call-Associate-Creative-Director-Energy)
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a cover letter that explains your interest in the position and how your background and skills make you a strong fit
- If applicable, prepare examples of your work that demonstrate your ability to lead and design creative campaigns, collaborate with teams, and mentor junior team members
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the position
⚠️ Disclaimer: This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
