Overview

A growing, multi-brand organization is seeking a Creative Director to lead the strategic direction of its creative function. This role shapes how the organization communicates visually and conceptually across all channels.

Unlike execution-focused roles, this position is responsible for setting the creative vision, defining standards, and driving alignment between business strategy and creative output. The Creative Director serves as the senior authority on all creative decisions and is accountable for building a high-performing, strategically focused design function.

What You'll Do

• Define and own the organization’s creative vision, ensuring all work aligns with broader business objectives and brand positioning
• Translate organizational strategy into clear creative direction, guiding campaigns, messaging frameworks, and visual storytelling at a conceptual level
• Lead, mentor, and develop a design team, focusing on capability-building, performance, and long-term growth rather than day-to-day execution
• Serve as the final decision-maker on creative output, ensuring consistency, quality, and strategic alignment across all deliverables
• Establish and scale creative systems and standards, including intake processes, briefing frameworks, and quality control mechanisms
• Partner with senior stakeholders across functions to ensure creative work supports enterprise priorities and drives measurable outcomes
• Evaluate and implement tools and technologies—including AI—to increase efficiency and elevate the team’s strategic capacity

What You Bring

• Ability to operate at both a strategic and organizational level, connecting creative direction to business performance
• Proven experience leading creative teams with a focus on coaching, accountability, and elevating output quality over time
• Strong judgment and decision-making skills, with the confidence to set direction and make final calls on creative work
• Ability to influence and align stakeholders, including senior leadership, around a unified creative approach
• Excellent communication skills, particularly in articulating the “why” behind creative direction to diverse audiences

Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional experience in design or creative strategy, including at least 3 years in a leadership role
• Demonstrated experience owning or shaping creative direction at a program, brand, or organizational level
• Track record of building or improving creative functions, systems, and standards
• Proficiency with industry-standard design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite), with a focus on oversight rather than production
• Familiarity with AI-enabled creative tools and workflow optimization
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field preferred (or equivalent experience)

Additional Information

• Hybrid work environment with regular in-office collaboration expected
• Occasional travel may be required
• This role involves extended computer use and standard office activities

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to define and lead—not just execute. You’ll shape how an organization expresses itself, build the systems that support creative excellence, and develop a team capable of delivering strategic, high-impact work.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to legally protected characteristics.

Pay: $120,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Education

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience

• professional design or creative strategy: 8 years (Required)
• Leadership: 3 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Arlington, VA 22203 (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Arlington, VA 22203