Associate Creative Director, Art

Job Description
The Art ACD works in close partnership with the Copy ACD—together, they are responsible for shepherding creative output of multiple assigned brands, producing and overseeing work that is Brave, Authentic, and Inspiring. Partners closely with Copy, Account, and Studio, along with Creative Management to ensure that clients are satisfied with the quality of our creative work, the value of our services, and our responsiveness to their needs.
This is a hybrid position requiring 3 days per week in our Irvine, CA office.
Responsibilities:
Creative/Hands-on Work (60%)
Helps develop and review creative briefs with Copy and Account partners
Works with Copy partner to produce exceptional, strategically focused concepts and campaigns
Takes on appropriate print, video, and digital projects as the lead art director
Creates layouts and designs that are attention-grabbing, unique, and aligned with brand identity
Works independently, often under tight deadlines, while juggling multiple brands/projects and managing other art directors
Provides constructive feedback and clear direction to improve others’ work
Provides direction to external vendors, including photographers, illustrators, and video producers
Seeks new vendor leads to expand agency roster
Actively participates in client meetings
Leads design presentations;
helps lead concept presentations
Helps lead brand planning and new business efforts as required
Attends market research as appropriate
Understands that advertising is a service industry that sometimes requires extra time and effort to meet client commitments
Management (20%)
Assigns art directors best suited for each project based on ability and workload
Manages workloads to maximize productivity of the Art team, ensuring that everyone is billable
Works closely with other team leads to ensure jobs stay on track with deadlines and budgets
Guides creative execution with constructive feedback and clear direction
Provides written and face-to-face feedback for annual performance reviews, as well as ongoing feedback throughout the year
Identifies and interviews prospective creative candidates
Leadership (20%)
Creative leader for assigned brands in partnership with Copy ACD
Maintains excellent client relationships
Works with Account partners to grow business with existing clients
Works with Creative Management to address performance, workflow, and quality issues
Leads art directors in development of award-worthy concepts and execution of all projects
Assures that junior art directors are trained and mentored to maintain the expectations of the agency and the client, and to meet their own career goals
Consistently demonstrates to clients an understanding of their brands and marketing challenges, and is responsive to their strategic and creative needs
Represents the agency at client meetings;
co-presents creative work with Copy partner