Creative Director

At AKQA (part of WPP) we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients.

Creatives at AKQA apply artistry and craftsmanship to strategic insight to create and bring to life beautiful ideas that move the world. Skilled storytellers and conceptors, they work in a multidisciplinary environment to develop labors of love that delight customers and deliver results for clients.

AKQA offers teams the opportunity to produce innovative work that moves companies, and their communities forward. All disciplines collaborate to find the best solution while delivering each aspect to the highest standard. From products and services to imaginative storytelling, our shared vision is to create experiences that drive progress and results. We are fortunate to partner with forward-thinking clients, including Verizon, IBM, Mayo Clinic, HSS, Volvo, and Campari.

We are seeking a visionary Creative Director with a primary discipline in User Experience (UX), complemented by a strong background in Product Visual Design. Candidates for this role must be based in New York, willing and able to travel to Basking Ridge, NJ for client workshops.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Direct. Directs the effort to develop creative concepts and implementations in a cross-disciplinary manner. Works with planners and strategists to establish strategic and creative approaches for a given assignment.
• Creative craft skills. Sets creative direction and strategic guidance throughout the duration of client team projects. Displays a cohesive understanding, and Ability to execute Innovative + Effective Design with a robust strategic creative vision.
• Idea generation. Continually develops and inspires colleagues to innovate and harness new ways of thinking.
• AI. Deep knowledge of current AI technology and platforms, understanding how to leverage AI for internal process efficiency and effectiveness, and how it can enhance customer experiences across digital channels.
• Leadership. Sets the Tone for professional standards for the team and the department. Inspires and leads by example, Evangelizes and represents AKQA externally through various leadership opportunities, conferences, speaking and writing engagements. Leads and manages 10 – 15+ creatives on an on-going basis.
• Management. Adept at managing multiple design teams and diverse streams of work concurrently. Able to delegate work effectively, avoiding micromanagement.
• Mentoring. Acts as a Career Manager, guiding creatives of all levels within AKQA, including regular one-on-one check-in’s, writing and delivering annual performance reviews and takes responsibility for on-boarding new employees and guiding him/her through a successful tenure at AKQA. Actively promotes the creative growth and development of their team members.
• Client relationship. Works in conjunction with the Client Services team to actively build a strong relationship with a given client. Contributes significantly in growing breadth of business with existing clients, fostering excellent client collaboration.
• New business development. Creatively leads new business pitches. Is responsible for the ideas and the creative work, and articulating a compelling story.
• Design system development. Exhibit superior knowledge and extensive leadership experience in building and managing scalable white-label design systems within Figma.
• Workshops. Expertly design and facilitate highly effective workshops – from strategic ideation and problem-solving sessions to client co-creation – ensuring clear objectives, fostering collaborative engagement, and driving actionable, innovative outcomes.

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• An excellent portfolio
• A minimum of 12 years’ experience in the creative industry
• Strong track record for managing $10 – 20MM of business per year
• Exceptional communication skills: verbal, written, interpersonal and inter-departmental
• Thoughtful leadership; a strong point of view; ability to contribute to strategic development of an
• Strong ability and experience in leading, directing and managing a group of cross-disciplinary teams
• Dynamic Presenter
• Understanding of digital media as well as the marketing industry at large; an ability and a desire to adapt to the changing landscape of technology
• Act as a creative partner for other cross-department relationships such as with Strategy and account. Ability to establish and maintain strong, dynamic client relationships
• Track record of winning pitches and awards