VP, Creative Director

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: VP, Creative Director

🔹 Company: Circa - IPG DXTRA

🔹 Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States

🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (3 days in office)

🔹 Category: Public Relations and Communications

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-05-20

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Chicago-based)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Generating and shepherding earned-first, culture-breaking ideas across various projects.
• Leading and mentoring cross-disciplinary teams while championing a clear creative point of view.
• Packaging ideas into full-bleed, minimal-copy decks that clients can’t resist; presenting, defending, and refining them with confidence.
• Balancing multiple stakeholder inputs, championing a clear creative POV while keeping collaboration friction-free.
• Setting the bar for craft and culture, fueling ongoing trend-spotting, and modeling a “builder” mindset for the team.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic thinker who can turn insights into executable solutions and has a strong portfolio of social-led, earned-media ideas that grabbed headlines or trophies.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Generate and shepherd earned-first, culture-breaking ideas across assignment briefs, real-time social moments, design craft, and proactive passion projects.

✅ Lead and mentor cross-disciplinary teams—pushing insight, storytelling, and design craft while acting as the senior creative voice in Chicago.

✅ Package ideas into full-bleed, minimal-copy decks that clients can’t resist; present, defend, and refine them with confidence.

✅ Balance multiple stakeholder inputs, championing a clear creative POV while keeping collaboration friction-free.

✅ Set the bar for craft and culture, fuel ongoing trend-spotting, and model a “builder” mindset for the team.

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong portfolio of social-led, earned-media ideas that grabbed headlines or trophies and can turn insights into executable solutions.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Not specified

Experience: 8-10 years of creative leadership with a strong portfolio of social-led, earned-media ideas that grabbed headlines or trophies.

Required Skills:

• Strategic chops to interrogate insights, distill the “one thing,” and turn it into big yet executable solutions.
• Deckcraft mastery: full-bleed visuals, concise copy, and storytelling that makes complex ideas feel effortless.
• A collaborator’s spirit and an “adult-in-the-room” presence—able to mentor, push back, and keep teams aligned.

Preferred Skills:

• Real-time social fluency and a pulse on cultural trends; data-curious enough to speak ROI when needed.

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong portfolio of social-led, earned-media ideas that grabbed headlines or trophies and can turn insights into executable solutions.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $219,000 USD per year

Benefits:

• Comprehensive benefits and time off program
• Happy, inclusive work culture with a focus on employee happiness

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for this role, experience level, and location. Actual compensation offered will depend on various factors, including the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and market considerations.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Public Relations and Communications Services

Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees

Founded: Not specified

Company Description:

• IPG DXTRA is the world’s most diverse communications network.
• We bring experts in PR, branding, digital, experiential, influencer and entertainment together to deliver creative, meaningful and stand-out answers.

Company Specialties:

• Public Relations
• Branding
• Digital Marketing
• Experiential Marketing
• Influencer Marketing
• Entertainment Marketing

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

ASSUMPTION: IPG DXTRA is a global communications network that brings together experts in various marketing disciplines to deliver creative and effective solutions for clients.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior leadership role within the creative department of a global communications network.

Reporting Structure: The VP, Creative Director reports directly to the Executive Creative Director (ECD) and works closely with other department heads and account teams.

Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role located in Chicago, IL. You will have an opportunity to collaborate in-person three days a week at our Chicago office while maintaining flexibility for remote work.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to grow within the creative department or explore other leadership roles within the broader IPG DXTRA network.
• Opportunity to work on high-profile, global accounts and gain exposure to diverse industries and markets.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to advance within the creative department or explore other leadership roles within the broader IPG DXTRA network.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space in downtown Chicago

Office Location(s): 35 W Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60601

Geographic Context:

• Chicago is a major hub for the advertising, marketing, and communications industries.
• The city offers a vibrant cultural scene, diverse neighborhoods, and a strong job market.
• Chicago is also a major transportation hub, with easy access to domestic and international flights.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (with flexibility for remote work)

ASSUMPTION: Chicago offers a dynamic work environment with a thriving job market, diverse cultural scene, and easy access to transportation.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Initial phone or video screen with the hiring manager or HR representative.
• In-depth behavioral interview with the Executive Creative Director (ECD) and/or other creative leaders.
• Final interview with the ECD and/or other senior leaders within the company.

Key Assessment Areas:

• Creativity and strategic thinking
• Portfolio presentation and discussion
• Leadership and team management skills
• Adaptability and cultural fit

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role.
• Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your creative leadership, strategic thinking, and ability to turn insights into executable solutions.
• Research the company and industry to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the role.

ATS Keywords: Creative Leadership, Social Media, Storytelling, Design Craft, Mentoring, Collaboration, Trend Spotting, Data Analysis

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role will focus on assessing your creative leadership skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit within the IPG DXTRA network.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)
• Project management tools (Asana, Trello, JIRA)
• Data analysis tools (Google Analytics, Tableau, Power BI)

ASSUMPTION: The tools listed are common to the creative and communications industries. Proficiency in these tools is expected for this role.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Creativity
• Collaboration
• Integrity
• Innovation
• Inclusion

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and dynamic
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Adaptable and flexible
• Data-driven and strategic

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do your creative leadership skills align with the company's values of creativity and innovation?
• How do you approach collaboration and teamwork in a fast-paced, dynamic environment?
• How do you balance multiple stakeholder inputs while maintaining a clear creative point of view?

ASSUMPTION: IPG DXTRA values candidates who embody their core values and can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative work environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple stakeholders with varying expectations and priorities.
• Keeping up with the latest trends and tools in the ever-evolving communications landscape.
• Balancing creative vision with practical execution and client expectations.
• Adapting to a hybrid work environment and maintaining productivity outside the office.

ASSUMPTION: The VP, Creative Director role presents unique challenges that require strong leadership, adaptability, and strategic thinking.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike other creative leadership roles, this position requires a strong focus on earned-first, social-led ideas and a deep understanding of real-time social moments.
• This role offers the opportunity to work on high-profile, global accounts and gain exposure to diverse industries and markets.
• The creative department at IPG DXTRA is a dynamic, fast-paced environment that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities and challenges compared to other creative leadership positions within the industry.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a real-time social media campaign around a breaking news story or cultural trend.
• Creating a full-bleed, minimal-copy deck for a global brand re-launch, incorporating design craft and storytelling.
• Mentoring a junior team member through the creative process, from insight to execution, for a passion project or client assignment.

ASSUMPTION: The projects listed are examples of the types of initiatives a VP, Creative Director might lead at IPG DXTRA.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role fit into the broader creative strategy for the agency and its clients?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does the creative department collaborate with other departments, such as strategy, media, and analytics?
• What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare for them?
• How does the agency support the professional development and growth of its creative leaders?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to understanding the agency's creative vision.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the provided link: https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/dxacirca/jobs/8005660002
• Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role.
• Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your creative leadership, strategic thinking, and ability to turn insights into executable solutions.
• Research the company and industry to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the role.
• Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative one week after submitting your application, if you haven't heard back.

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