What do creative directors do?
The main job of a creative director is to oversee the creation of marketing and advertising campaigns. These campaigns can include film, print, animation, digital media, and apps. Creative directors are responsible for leading a team of artists, designers, and copywriters to conceive and run ad campaigns and ensure the ultimate success of a product. They work in a variety of sectors, including sales, marketing, public relations, advertising, design, digital media, retail, and publishing.
The day-to-day work of a creative director varies wildly according to the needs of the job and depends heavily on the industry — for example, a creative director of a book publisher may have a very different job to that of a public relations firm. Creative directors might do anything from pitching ideas to running meetings to approving print layouts. Other responsibilities can include designing product packaging, scouting locations, approving artwork, and creating style guides.
Ultimately, the most important function of a creative director is to translate their client’s vision into a practical campaign, which can necessitate an understanding of the client’s brand, product, customer base, goals, and company ethos.
Creative Director
Job Description Template
Role description
If you’re a marketing genius with a head for ideas, we want you on our team. We’re looking for an enthusiastic team player with a proven track record of landing projects and guiding their creative team to success. As a creative director, you’ll have a personal stake in building our company’s brand and reputation. This is a fast-paced, client-facing role perfect for a confident leader who can adapt quickly, think outside the box, and remain calm under pressure. Our ideal candidate is a brand-focused innovator and big-picture thinker with an impressive portfolio and a handful of industry awards under their belt. In return, we offer the opportunity to develop high-profile campaigns from start to finish and see your work brought to life around the globe.
Creative Director Responsibilities
- You will develop the initial concept for advertising and marketing campaigns and pitch directly to clients or to directors
- You will lead multiple projects from start to finish, often while juggling tight deadlines
- You will take a leading role in pitching and presenting to clients
- You will develop and manage a creative team and oversee the team’s productive output
- You will proactively build client relationships by keeping clients regularly apprised of campaign progress and results
- You will manage client expectations upfront and ensure that amendments are made as needed to ensure consistency with the client’s vision
- You will storyboard and translate the client’s ideas into actionable plans for your creative team
- You will ensure the quality of all projects and maintain consistency with the company’s brand
- You may have the opportunity to hire and expand your creative team
- You will nurture the professional development of your team, including providing opportunities for mentorship and growth
- You will oversee the art direction on video and photo shoots
- You will select and oversee external suppliers and subcontractors
- You will take responsibility for delivering all projects on time and within budget
- You will ensure that completed projects meet client specifications and provide high return on interest
- You will personally sign off on all projects before they are presented to the client
- You will engage in opportunities for networking, thought leadership, industry awards, and speaking opportunities
- You will attend industry events, some of which may require travel or attendance outside normal working hours
- You may be required to travel locally and internationally during the working week
- You will have the satisfaction of seeing your work brought to life in print, television, and other media
Creative Director Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree in art, fine arts, graphic design, marketing, or another design-related field
- 5-10 years’ relevant experience in a marketing, advertising, or design role
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Confident presentation skills when pitching and translating creative ideas to a team
- High-level leadership and interpersonal skills
- Creativity and design experience, including graphic design, filmmaking, video editing, copywriting, and web design
- Familiarity with design software and the ability to quickly pick up new technology as needed
- Proficiency with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and AfterEffects
- Awareness of current marketing trends
- Experience in brand development
- A track record of sealing pitches and delivering measurable success to clients
- Excellent problem-solving skills and an ability to think outside the box
- The ability to give and receive constructive creative feedback
- An understanding of the commercial aspects of business and how your role interacts with other departments
- A positive outlook and ability to cope well with pressure under tight deadlines
- Willingness to travel
Nice-to-have requirements
- An MA or MFA in design, marketing, or communications, or other relevant master’s degree is a plus
- B2B and B2C experience preferred
FAQs
What do you need to be a creative director?
- At least a bachelor’s degree in a design-related field
- Experience on a creative team
- Familiarity with design software and industry best practices
- Leadership experience
- High-level communication and presentation skills
What’s the role of a creative director?
The role of a creative director is to manage a team of artists, designers, and writers responsible for bringing an advertising campaign to life. This is a client-facing leadership role where the success of the product is the ultimate measure of performance.
