I

Senior Creative Director

Inspira Marketing
Full-time
On-site
Norwalk, Connecticut, United States
🎨 Brand & Creative Marketing

πŸ“Œ Core Information

πŸ”Ή Job Title: Senior Creative Director

πŸ”Ή Company: Inspira Marketing

πŸ”Ή Location: Norwalk, Connecticut, United States

πŸ”Ή Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid (3 days in office, 2 days remote)

πŸ”Ή Category: Advertising Services

πŸ”Ή Date Posted: July 14, 2025

πŸ”Ή Experience Level: 10+ years

πŸ”Ή Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)

πŸš€ Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

  • Overseeing multiple large-scale projects, aligning on strategy, and conceptualizing new ideas
  • Collaborating with account, strategy, production, new business teams, and freelancers
  • Developing strategically sound, highly creative, and executable concepts
  • Identifying opportunities to deepen organic growth within the current client base and supporting new business initiatives
  • Presenting creative work with compelling, narrative-driven presentations

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, leadership, and strategic thinking to drive meaningful impact for clients and the agency.

πŸ“‹ Key Responsibilities

βœ… Work closely with all teams to develop strategically sound, highly creative, and executable concepts

βœ… Understand marketing initiatives, strategic positioning, and consumer mindsets

βœ… Source, lead, and collaborate with freelancers as needed

βœ… Demonstrate a strong understanding of the digital and social landscape

βœ… Lead and present creative work with compelling, narrative-driven presentations

βœ… Collaborate with senior account leads to identify opportunities that deepen organic growth within and new business opportunities

βœ… Attend and share learnings from industry trade events and seminars to inspire and keep the agency thinking innovatively

βœ… Demonstrate strong collaborative skills and respect for all team members and clients

βœ… Stay culturally relevant with trends

βœ… Manage administrative tasks with attention to meeting agency compliance guidelines and standards

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of creative vision, strategic thinking, and strong project management skills to oversee multiple projects and teams.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in journalism, English, graphic design, art, marketing, or a related field

Experience: At least 10+ years of relevant agency experience

Required Skills:

  • Excellent leadership, teaching, mentoring, and communication skills
  • A strong understanding of brand development and multichannel marketing concepts
  • Proven ability to lead and strengthen client relationships
  • Ability and willingness to travel for shoots, client meetings, continued education, etc.

Preferred Skills:

  • Established portfolio that displays strong conceptual ability and smart, innovative work
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor a team of creatives/direct reports
  • Strong creative vision with an understanding of how it relates to business objectives

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a proven track record in creative leadership, with a strong portfolio showcasing innovative work and a deep understanding of brand development and multichannel marketing.

πŸ’° Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $165,000 - $210,000 annually. The determination of what a specific employee in this job classification is paid depends on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, prior employment history/job-related skills and qualifications, length of service, brand program, and geographic location.

Benefits:

  • Bonus eligibility, with bonus potential subject to applicable bonus plan terms and conditions
  • Equal employment opportunity and reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities
  • Partnership with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, donating a portion of profits to fund pediatric cancer research

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week. This role is a hybrid position, requiring 3 days in the office and 2 days remote, in accordance with company policy.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Senior Creative Director role with 10+ years of experience in the advertising services industry.

πŸ“Œ Applicant Insights

πŸ” Company Context

Industry: Advertising Services. Inspira Marketing specializes in forging connections between brands and consumers through experiential marketing, mobile marketing, social media, and grassroots/sampling.

Company Size: 201-500 employees. As a mid-sized agency, Inspira offers a balance between a large agency's resources and a small agency's agility.

Founded: 2008. Inspira has been growing steadily since its founding, earning a spot on Inc. Magazine's 5000 Fastest Growing Private US companies for five consecutive years.

Company Description:

  • Inspira is an experiential marketing agency that specializes in forging connections between brands and consumers
  • The agency humanizes data and intimately understands the consumer to create award-winning brand experiences
  • Inspira works with a range of clients, from up-and-coming brands like Yasso to global entities like Diageo

Company Specialties:

  • Experiential Marketing
  • Mobile Marketing
  • Social Media
  • Grassroots / Sampling

Company Website: http://www.inspiramarketing.com

ASSUMPTION: Inspira's focus on experiential marketing and its commitment to finding a cure for pediatric cancer set it apart in the advertising services industry.

πŸ“Š Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior. This role is a senior-level position, requiring a high level of expertise and leadership in creative direction.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Creative Director will report directly to the Chief Creative Officer and oversee a team of creatives and freelancers.

Work Arrangement: Hybrid. This role requires a mix of in-office and remote work, with 3 days in the office and 2 days remote, in accordance with company policy.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Mentoring and developing junior creatives and team members
  • Expanding creative leadership skills and industry knowledge
  • Potential career progression to Chief Creative Officer or other executive roles

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a substantial impact on the agency's creative output and client relationships.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. The Norwalk, CT office is where this role will be based, with 3 days in the office and 2 days remote.

Office Location(s): 50 Washington Street, Suite 1, Norwalk, CT 06854, US

Geographic Context:

  • Norwalk, CT is a suburban city located in Fairfield County, about 40 miles northeast of New York City
  • The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with a variety of cultural attractions, restaurants, and outdoor recreation opportunities
  • Norwalk is easily accessible by car, train, and ferry, with convenient transportation options to New York City and other nearby cities

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week. This role requires a flexible work schedule, with the ability to work additional hours as needed to meet project deadlines.

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and flexible work schedule offer a good balance between in-office collaboration and remote work, allowing for a healthy work-life balance.

πŸ’Ό Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

  • Online application submission
  • Phone or video screening with the HR department
  • Creative portfolio presentation and interview with the Chief Creative Officer
  • Final interview with the Executive Leadership Team

Key Assessment Areas:

  • Creative portfolio and conceptual thinking
  • Leadership and mentoring skills
  • Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
  • Cultural fit and alignment with agency values

Application Tips:

  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
  • Prepare a strong creative portfolio that showcases your conceptual ability and innovative work
  • Be ready to discuss your strategic thinking, leadership, and mentoring skills in detail
  • Research Inspira Marketing's company culture and values to demonstrate your cultural fit

ATS Keywords: Creative Director, Senior Creative Director, Agency Experience, Brand Development, Multichannel Marketing, Client Relationship Management, Digital Marketing, Social Media Strategy, Team Mentoring, Presentation Skills, Strategic Thinking, Cultural Relevance, Project Management, Freelancer Management, Innovation, Communication

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should tailor their application materials to highlight their relevant experience and skills, and be prepared to discuss their creative portfolio and strategic thinking in detail during the interview process.

πŸ› οΈ Tools & Technologies

  • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
  • Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
  • Presentation software (e.g., Keynote, PowerPoint)

ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in industry-standard creative and project management tools is essential for this role, as the Senior Creative Director will be responsible for overseeing multiple large-scale projects and collaborating with various teams.

πŸ‘” Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

  • Creativity
  • Collaboration
  • Integrity
  • Innovation
  • Excellence

Work Style:

  • Creative and innovative
  • Collaborative and team-oriented
  • Results-driven and proactive
  • Adaptable and flexible
  • Committed to continuous learning and improvement

Self-Assessment Questions:

  • Do you have a strong creative vision and the ability to translate business objectives into compelling creative platforms?
  • Are you comfortable working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment and mentoring junior creatives?
  • Do you have a proven track record of driving meaningful impact for clients and agencies through your creative leadership?

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should assess their alignment with Inspira Marketing's company values and work style to ensure a strong cultural fit for this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

  • Managing multiple large-scale projects simultaneously, requiring strong project management and prioritization skills
  • Balancing creative vision with business objectives and client expectations
  • Adapting to a hybrid work arrangement and maintaining strong communication and collaboration with remote team members
  • Keeping up with industry trends and continuously expanding creative and strategic skills

ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong leadership, strategic thinking, and adaptability, as well as a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

πŸ“ˆ Similar Roles Comparison

  • Compared to other Senior Creative Director roles, this position places a greater emphasis on new business support and organic growth initiatives
  • Inspira Marketing's focus on experiential marketing sets it apart from more traditional advertising agencies
  • Career progression opportunities may vary depending on the agency's size and structure

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should research similar roles and agencies to understand the unique aspects of this position and how it aligns with their career goals and aspirations.

πŸ“ Sample Projects

  • Developing a comprehensive brand refresh campaign for an established consumer goods client, including new visual identity, messaging, and multichannel marketing strategy
  • Conceptualizing and executing a large-scale experiential marketing event for a technology client, including event design, production, and activation
  • Creating a social media content strategy and execution plan for a retail client, including content creation, community management, and influencer partnerships

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of creative and strategic challenges the Senior Creative Director may face in this role, requiring a diverse skill set and adaptability.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

  • Can you describe the team structure and dynamics, and how this role fits within the creative department?
  • How does the agency support the professional development and growth of its creative team members?
  • What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days, and how will success be measured?
  • How does the agency approach new business initiatives, and what role will this position play in supporting those efforts?
  • What is the agency's approach to work-life balance, and how does this role fit within that framework?

ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into the role's day-to-day responsibilities, team dynamics, and the agency's culture and priorities.

πŸ“Œ 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 strong creative portfolio that showcases your conceptual ability and innovative work
  • Be ready to discuss your strategic thinking, leadership, and mentoring skills in detail during the interview process
  • Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.