Creative Director

About Bakery Agency

Bakery is a nimble creative agency with a mission to captivate consumers through outstanding product-driven experiences. Collaborating with leading and emergent brands such as Nike, Pepsi, Dairy Queen, Shiner, and Buchanan's, we have earned recognition as an AdAge Small Agency of the Year thrice.

Role Overview

As Creative Director based in Austin, you will oversee the entire creative process from inception to final execution. Leading a cross-disciplinary team, you will craft global campaigns that elevate both well-known and cult brands. You will set high creative standards and maintain them even under client or deadline pressures.

Unlike roles that mainly manage, you will remain deeply involved in the creative craft—contributing to writing and art direction when critical. Your responsibilities include securing new business, earning industry awards, and attracting top creative talent—key to succeeding in a compact independent agency.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all creative output from initial concept through final delivery across multiple channels including idea generation, copywriting, design, film, digital, and experiential.
• Provide a clear, strong point of view that simplifies complex briefs.
• Manage and lead a mix of full-time and freelance creative staff—including hiring, directing, and protecting the integrity of the work.
• Lead client presentations, assimilate meaningful feedback, and build trust to ensure creative vision is realized.
• Act as an ambassador for Bakery's brand in external forums such as press, conferences, juries, and awards.

Candidate Requirements

We are seeking candidates exclusively from agency backgrounds with at least 10 years of direct creative experience in agencies. Experience on the brand side or other industries will not be considered suitable, as agency creative direction requires exceptional adaptability and stamina to manage multiple clients and frequent pitches.

• A portfolio demonstrating outstanding and executed work with preference for originality over awards.
• Deep cultural insight to anticipate trends beyond the mainstream and avoid derivative work.
• Proven versatility across mediums—film, social media, digital, experiential—with genuine expertise rather than surface-level generalism.
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to confidently lead client meetings.
• Unwavering passion for creative craft, meticulous attention to detail, and a willingness to produce work that challenges norms and provokes strong reactions.

Benefits

• Competitive health insurance including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan with 3% company match.
• Flexible unlimited paid time off policy.
• Opportunity to work remotely for 2 weeks annually.
• 13 weeks paid parental leave for both maternity and paternity.
• Pet-friendly office environment.
• Annual creative budget stipend.
• Free snacks, meals, and beverages.
• No requirements for timesheet tracking.