Associate Creative Director

About The Minds

The Minds is a creative agency focusing on strategy, creative content production, and social innovation.

Role Overview

We are hiring a full-time Associate Creative Director with expertise in copy and hybrid creative skills, passionate about culture and storytelling. This role involves leading impactful campaigns and content that challenge conventional advertising, collaborating with clients and diverse teams to craft world-changing creative projects. The position is remote-first, preferably based on the West Coast, reporting directly to the Creative Director.

Key Responsibilities

• Guide clients in refining their creative strategies and approaches.
• Lead and oversee development of visual and narrative excellence in creative outputs.
• Initiate idea generation and executions inspired by social and behavioral trends.
• Inspire and direct creative teams, including tone of voice, copywriting, content creation, and, when necessary, art and design direction.
• Provide thought leadership with creative solutions that enhance clients' brand visibility and leadership.
• Conceptualize and implement integrated creative work across various platforms such as social media, digital, out-of-home advertising, stunts, branding, photography, and product launches.
• Collaborate internally and externally to ensure culturally relevant branding and communications.
• Develop emotionally engaging and insight-driven creative for key clients.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a credible partner.
• Confidently present creative ideas and work to clients and internal stakeholders through compelling storytelling.
• Work closely with strategy, production, client services, and external teams to maintain creative quality and excellence.
• Manage and mentor creative teams fostering innovation, accountability, and high performance.
• Take a proactive, hands-on role in work execution, new business pitches, production, and post-production.
• Coordinate cross-disciplinary efforts to harmonize strategies and messaging across channels.
• Maintain rigorous quality control on all creative projects.

Desired Experience and Expertise

• 5 to 7 years in creative roles, preferably within agencies.
• Proven track record of developing advanced creative strategies adaptable to evolving objectives.
• Experience in on-set production, post-production processes, collaboration with creators, and hybrid creative skills including art direction and writing.

Creative and Strategic Attributes

• A curious mindset forming opinions through insightful research.
• Authentic passion for brands, audiences, and cultural context to inform every aspect of work.
• Deep understanding of brand storytelling starting on social platforms and extending across media over time.
• Strategically astute and culturally aware, with an active interest in emerging platforms and trends.
• Strong visual aesthetic and ability to deliver visually consistent campaigns.

Leadership and Communication Skills

• Outstanding communication and presentation abilities to clearly articulate creative strategies as stories.
• Success in leading, inspiring, and collaborating with teams across functions.
• Readiness to lead by example and engage hands-on.

Technical and Creative Skills

• Capable of commanding room presence.
• Experience managing creative sets and directing talent.
• Rapid ideation and concept development skills.
• Exceptional social-oriented creative thinking and effective communication in presentations.
• Mastery of written communication for scripts, taglines, headlines, posts, and presentations.
• Expert-level proficiency in in-person and slide deck presentations (Keynote, Google Slides, PowerPoint).
• Skilled in AI-augmented creative workflows using platforms such as Gemini, Midjourney, ChatGPT, Claude, Adobe Firefly, and Sora.
• Proficient with CapCut and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere Pro).

Additional Interests (Bonus)

• Forward-thinking on culture and social ideation.
• Interest or experience in sports engagement, either fan-based or work-related.
• Experience working with technology or device sectors is advantageous but not mandatory.
• Preference for unconventional thinkers with a sense of fun and not overly serious attitude.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with potential matching.
• Life insurance options including basic, voluntary, and accidental death and dismemberment.
• Unlimited paid time off covering vacation, sick days, and public holidays.
• Family leave including maternity and paternity options.
• Opportunities for training and professional development.
• Flexible work arrangements including work-from-home and hybrid options.

Compensation

Estimated annual salary ranges from $120,000 to $150,000, plus the standard employee benefits package. Pay is determined based on factors like experience, skills, job duties, and location, and may be subject to change.