Associate Creative Director - Art Direction

FULL TIME / HYBRID / SAN DIEGO, CA 

We’re Raindrop, a creative agency built for brands that want to stand out and create marketing that people love. We’re scrappy, sharp, and slightly obsessive (peep our prop closet). From breakout DTC legends like Dr. Squatch to household names like Native, we help brands grow, scale, and create IMPACT (boom pow).

Our team punches above its weight because we hire people who care. About the craft, about our clients, about each other, and about making things we’re proud of.

We’re looking for an Associate Creative Director (Art) who can own a visual story from pitch to post. You’ll lead photo and video campaigns, shaping everything from wardrobe and set design to those tiny touches that make the work feel effortlessly on brand. You’ll concept ideas that bring briefs to life, mentor junior creatives, and collaborate with talented writers, smart strategists, snappy photographers and visionary directors. You’ll make sure the final product doesn’t just “meet client needs”, it raises the bar and looks damn good doing it.

What you'll be doing:

Dream big - Develop bold, boundary-pushing ideas that transform brands and tell unforgettable stories.

Shape the look - Create and oversee stunning visual designs and references that bring creative visions to life.

Fuel creative energy - Lead high-impact ideation sessions that spark originality, collaboration, and pure creative magic.

Own it - Direct large-scale, integrated campaigns across all mediums where storytelling and strategy meet.

Collaborate - Work shoulder-to-shoulder with creative, strategy, and production teams to craft campaigns that hit hard and look beautiful.

Inspire the next wave - Mentor and empower junior creatives to grow, explore, and deliver their best work.

Keep pace - Keep projects on time, on budget, and creatively exceptional, every single time.

Give it life - Lead production design with confidence and style, guiding teams across wardrobe, sets, locations, and talent to deliver visually stunning results.

Requirements

• 8+ years of Art/Creative Direction, including production design
• A creative thought leader, bringing fresh ideas and visual directions to each project
• Expert knowledge and usage of:
• Photoshop (masking, retouching)
• Illustrator
• InDesign
• Figma/ Google Slides
• SketchUp
• Delegates tasks strategically and follows up to ensure completion of tasks
• Comfortable with (AR/VR, AI-assisted design)
• Understanding of cinematography and photography, and social media. 
• Commitment to timely communication and excellent written and verbal skills.
• Tech-savvy and comfortable with project management tools such as Clickup, Dropbox, and Google Drive
• Expert Presentation skills
• Can lead a team/department 
• Agency and/or in-house marketing experience

Benefits

• $100,000 - $115,000 DEO 
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance -  generous employer contribution
• 401(k) plan to invest in your future
• New Hire stipend to support flexible working arrangements
• Internal professional development and mentoring opportunities  
• 15 vacation days in your first year, with additional days earned as your tenure grows
• 10 paid company holidays plus 2 flexible holidays of your choice
• Holiday Leave
• Parental Leave Benefits to support you and your family

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY 

Raindrop is an equal opportunity employer committed to intentionally building a diverse team that values the varied backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and skills of all human beings. The best work and team culture is accomplished through inclusivity, dedication to equity, and celebrating individuals showing up as their authentic selves. 

If you need assistance or accommodation in the application process due to a disability, please contact [email protected] or at ‪(619) 732-6678‬ and they are happy to assist.