Associate Director, Art Direction
WHY DEPT®?
We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA.
We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter.
At DEPT®, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build.
THE ROLE:
We’re looking for a talented and strategic Associate Director, Art Direction to join a fast-paced, high-performing team supporting one of our most visible, dynamic clients. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who brings conceptual thinking, sharp visual design capabilities, and video-first experience to the table.
As a key leader within the creative department, you will not only translate strategy into smart, engaging creative but also mentor a multidisciplinary team of designers and creators. You’ll partner closely with Copywriters, Video Editors, and Content Creators, reporting to the Creative Director to ensure design excellence from kickoff through delivery. You’ll play a crucial role in owning your workstream, managing junior talent, and consistently raising the creative bar.
This role is perfect for someone who thrives in creative collaboration, is autonomous in ideation, enjoys rolling up their sleeves to execute, and has a strong point of view on what makes effective content in the digital world.
.WHAT YOU’LL DO:
- Deliver High-Impact Creative: Concept and design best-in-class digital creative across social, and video, with a strong focus on visual storytelling and performance.
- Mentor & Lead: Act as a direct supervisor and mentor to junior and mid-level Art Directors and Designers. Provide clear, constructive feedback to creatives across disciplines (for example, to copy) to elevate the team's output and foster professional growth.
- Support Video + Content Production: Contribute to pre-production planning, support on-set shoots, and collaborate with editors and designers in post to ensure work comes to life as intended.
- Partner Across Disciplines: Work closely with copywriters, strategists, producers, project managers, and client teams to ensure creative aligns with brief goals, brand voice, and business objectives.
- Be a Problem Solver: Navigate ambiguity with CD support, adapt to shifting priorities, and bring proactive solutions to creative and production challenges. These solutions should come in the form of daily brainstorming and inspiration sharing with the team.
- Cultivate Culture: Foster an inclusive, high-energy environment. Lead daily brainstorms and inspiration-sharing sessions to keep the team’s creative pulse sharp.Manage Creative Execution: Own the work from end to end. Concepting and producing polished on-brand, performance-minded assets that meet timelines and briefs. As an Associate Director, Art Direction, you will lead by doing, driving execution while strategically delegating portions of our projects to our junior team members to support efficiency, mentorship and delivery while remaining accountable for the final output.
WHAT YOU BRING:
- 5+ years of experience in visual design with a strong portfolio showcasing digital campaigns, social-first content, and video-driven work.
- Prior social agency experience or relevant experience with a track record of navigating high-volume, high-visibility accounts.
- On-set and content production experience (domestic or international), including working with video directors, editors, and producers.
- Generative AI Mastery: Proven hands-on experience utilizing advanced generative AI platforms (including Midjourney, Runway, Vizcom, Weavy, or equivalent visual AI tools) to conceptualize, iterate, and scale creative production workflows.
- Performance-Driven Creative Execution: Deep understanding of paid media ecosystems, conversion design, and data-backed creative strategies. Responsible for translating high-level marketing briefs into high-volume, scroll-stopping digital assets.
- Multi-Channel Social Optimization: Strong track record in developing native short-form video content and paid ads tailored, optimizing assets for user engagement and platform algorithm performance.
- Strong client presentation and communication skills - you can confidently present ideas, take feedback in stride, and advocate for great creative.
- Excellent design sensibility and a strategic eye for layout, typography, motion, and branding. Additionally, deep knowledge of social best practices for optimal performance.
- A proactive, collaborative mindset - you bring energy to brainstorms, jump in where needed, and support your teammates with generosity and respect.
- A creative portfolio that shows your eye for design, your range in digital, video, and ability to turn strategy into scroll-stopping creative.
WHAT DO WE OFFER?
- Healthcare, Dental, and Vision coverage
- 401K plan, plus matching
- PTO
- Paid Company Holidays
- Parental Leave
WE SUPPORT YOU BEING YOU:
DEPT® is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We believe our work is its best when our people feel safe and free to be themselves. We’re committed to an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process and workplace, regardless of anyone’s identity, background, beliefs, lifestyle or disabilities. So tell us about any accommodations you need. It’s totally confidential and only used to make sure you feel fully supported at every step.
DEPT® participates in E-Verify, meaning your Form I-9 information will be sent to the federal government to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.
We are a B Corp-certified company passionate about purpose-driven work. Our hope is that you can feel good about the contributions DEPT® is making to the world and we always have an open door for your ideas in making the world a better place.
DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention across Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data. We’re 50|50 tech and marketing, partner-led, and first to move. Clients include Google, Lufthansa, Coach, eBay, and OpenAI.
Learn more about DEPT®
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION
At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.
Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.
We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.
Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.
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