Job Details

smartdept. is searching for a Creative Director for a marketing agency client located in Washington, DC. The ideal candidate will come with 10+ years of recent agency and/or marcom experience in a creative role and 5+ years of leadership/management experience. This is a full-time, hybrid, permanent opportunity. Compensation for this position is expected to be $130-140K depending on experience level and fit.

The Creative Director will be critical in shaping the agency's creative vision, driving innovation, and mentoring a multidisciplinary creative team. This role will involve translating strategy into impactful campaigns, integrating new technologies into the creative process, and fostering collaboration across departments to deliver exceptional results.

What You'll Do:

1. Drive the agency's creative vision, elevate creative output, and streamline workflows.
2. Integrate AI and other technologies into the creative process to enhance innovation.
3. Participate in client engagements, including new business pitches, onboarding, strategy sessions, and concept presentations.
4. Lead the creative strategy for client campaigns, ensuring cohesive and compelling brand experiences across all channels.
5. Manage a multidisciplinary team of designers, copywriters, and creatives, providing mentorship and constructive feedback.
6. Conduct skill assessments to identify gaps and expand creative services to align with new trends.
7. Collaborate with other departments to ensure effective communication, resource allocation, and timely project delivery.
8. Establish and maintain quality assurance processes to ensure all deliverables meet high standards.
9. Stay informed about the latest design trends and recommend improvements to creative processes.

What You'll Need:

1. Education/Experience:

• 10+ years of recent agency and/or marcom experience in a creative role.
• 5+ years of leadership/management experience.
• Strong portfolio showcasing campaign strategy, design, and art direction.
• Advanced knowledge of graphic design, print production, and multimedia.
• Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office Suite.

Nice-to-Have Skills:

• Knowledge of After Effects.
• Experience with creative AI tools.
• Web design experience.
• Interest in and aptitude for creative business and marketing solutions.
• Self-motivated and eager to expand knowledge.