📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Creative Conceptor
🔹 Company: Ketchum
🔹 Location: Arlington, Virginia, United States
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (3 days a week in the office)
🔹 Category: Public Relations and Communications Services
🔹 Date Posted: May 9, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with hybrid option
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing creative concepts that drive earned attention and uncover strategic insights
- Collaborating with clients, account, new business, and strategy teams to create impactful campaign ideas
- Presenting foundational insights, umbrella concepts, and tactical programming to account teams and clients
- Building collaborative relationships with multiple clients and integrated agency partners
- Working with analytics and strategy teams to support concept development with insights that drive creative programming
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a creative thinker who can translate insights into compelling campaigns and work effectively with various teams and clients.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop creative concepts that drive earned attention and uncover strategic insights
✅ Collaborate with clients, account, new business, and strategy teams to create impactful campaign ideas
✅ Present foundational insights, umbrella concepts, and tactical programming to account teams and clients
✅ Build collaborative relationships with multiple clients and integrated agency partners
✅ Work with analytics and strategy teams to support concept development with insights that drive creative programming
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong portfolio showcasing their ability to transform insights into attention-driving creative concepts.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Advertising, or a related field
Experience: 3+ years developing insight-driven ideas and executional outputs within an earned media and/or integrated marketing environment
Required Skills:
- Proven ability to develop creative concepts that drive earned attention
- Strong understanding of the current social and cultural landscape, including trends and social platforms
- Excellent writing and proofreading skills
- Ability to tell and sell a good story
- Experience in the consumer sector
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with specific PR, social media, or advertising tools
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong portfolio demonstrating their ability to transform insights into creative concepts and a solid understanding of the current social and cultural landscape.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $85,000 to $95,000 per year
Benefits:
- Hybrid Workplace: Three days a week in the office
- Robust benefits program, effective within 30 days of hire
- Paid maternity/paternity leave
- Family Forming Benefits
- Employee Recognition Program
- Generous paid time off includes vacation, wellness, and extended holiday schedule
- Various development opportunities to enhance personal and professional life
- Tuition reimbursement
- Monthly Cell Phone & Wi-Fi reimbursement
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the role, experience level, and location. The benefits package is competitive and includes a robust benefits program, paid leave, and various development opportunities.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Public Relations and Communications Services
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Founded: 1923
Company Description:
- Ketchum is a global communications consultancy with 100 years of experience
- They are a trusted partner who is equal parts creative and analytical
- Ketchum works with the world’s leading brands, emerging start-ups, and everything in between
- They are beyond proud to have created some of the most celebrated and award-winning campaigns in their industry
- Ketchum encourages their employees to be curious, brave, inspiring, and a force for good
Company Specialties:
- PR
- Public Relations
- and Communications
Company Website: http://www.ketchum.com
ASSUMPTION: Ketchum is a well-established company in the public relations and communications industry with a strong global presence and a reputation for creating impactful campaigns.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level (2-5 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Creative Director or a similar role
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days a week in the office)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to take on more responsibilities and advance to a management role
- Opportunities to work on diverse campaigns and learn from experienced team members
- Chance to contribute to the development of Ketchum's creative approach and processes
ASSUMPTION: This role offers growth opportunities for the right candidate, including the potential to take on more responsibilities and advance their career within the company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (3 days a week in the office)
Office Location(s): Arlington, Virginia, United States
Geographic Context:
- The Arlington office is located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area
- The area is known for its diverse population and cultural attractions
- Arlington is home to many government agencies and organizations
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible hours available
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility. The Arlington office is located in a vibrant and culturally rich area with easy access to Washington, D.C.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
- Final interview with the creative director or a panel of team members
- Background check and reference check
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creativity and problem-solving skills
- Understanding of the social and cultural landscape
- Writing and presentation skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your creative portfolio and relevant experience
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your ability to transform insights into creative concepts
- Be ready to discuss your creative process and how you approach challenges
- Research Ketchum's company culture and be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs
ATS Keywords: Creative Concepts, Insight Development, Public Relations, Social Media, Advertising, Storytelling, Cultural Insights, Collaboration, Analytical Skills, Writing, Proofreading, Consumer Engagement, Trend Analysis, Campaign Development, Client Relations, Tactical Programming
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing your creativity, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit with the company. Be prepared to discuss your creative process and how you approach challenges.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Google Workspace
- PR and social media management tools (e.g., Muck Rack, Hootsuite)
- Creative design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with industry-standard tools and software is expected for this role. Specific tools may vary depending on the team's preferences and the organization's needs.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Curiosity
- Bravery
- Inspiration
- A force for good
Work Style:
- Collaborative
- Creative
- Analytical
- Results-driven
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your personal values align with Ketchum's company values?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to be brave and take a creative risk in your work?
- How do you approach working collaboratively with diverse teams?
ASSUMPTION: Ketchum values curiosity, bravery, inspiration, and being a force for good. Candidates should be able to demonstrate how their personal values align with these and provide examples of their creative problem-solving skills and collaborative work style.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple clients and projects simultaneously
- Keeping up with the fast-paced and ever-changing social and cultural landscape
- Balancing creative and analytical thinking
- Adapting to a hybrid work environment
ASSUMPTION: This role may present challenges in managing multiple projects, keeping up with the latest trends, and balancing creative and analytical thinking. Candidates should be prepared to adapt to a hybrid work environment and manage their time effectively.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Senior Creative Strategist or Senior Creative Director in other agencies
- However, this role places a stronger emphasis on developing creative concepts that drive earned attention and uncovering strategic insights
- Career progression may differ, with opportunities to advance to a management role or take on more responsibilities
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other creative roles in the industry, it places a unique emphasis on developing creative concepts that drive earned attention and uncovering strategic insights. Candidates should be prepared to take on more responsibilities and adapt to the specific needs of the role.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a creative campaign for a consumer product launch that generates buzz and drives sales
- Creating a social media strategy for a non-profit organization to raise awareness and engage with its audience
- Designing an integrated marketing campaign for a tech company that highlights its unique features and benefits
ASSUMPTION: Sample projects should demonstrate the candidate's ability to develop creative concepts that drive earned attention and uncover strategic insights, as well as their understanding of the specific industry or client's needs.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe a recent campaign that you worked on and the creative process you used?
- How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends in the industry and incorporate them into your work?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to pivot or adjust your creative approach due to feedback or new information?
- How do you collaborate with clients and team members to ensure that the final product meets everyone's expectations?
ASSUMPTION: Interview questions should focus on assessing the candidate's creativity, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit with the company. Be prepared to discuss your creative process and how you approach challenges.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your creative portfolio and relevant experience
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your ability to transform insights into creative concepts
- Be ready to discuss your creative process and how you approach challenges
- Research Ketchum's company culture and be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your interview 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.
