Job Description

The responsibilities of an Associate Creative Director at Owen span the work we do, the clients we work with, and the agency at large. You are tasked with leading your team in the creation of outstanding, innovative, and effective creative work across a range of clients, with a strong emphasis on digital experiences.

ACDs are the lead creative role at the account and project level, overseeing all aspects of creative development. They can be a thought leader, hands-on creator, enthusiastic manager, and adept client partner all rolled into one. They work in partnership with production, accounts, strategy, and development teams to set the course for projects and clients. In addition to project work, they help shape the creative team, manage and mentor team members, and play an important role in business development.

We’re looking for our Associate Creative Directors to be decisive, excited to lead a team, and driven to elevate digital storytelling and innovation. They should continually seek to improve the work of their teams and the agency at large, ensuring we stay ahead in an evolving digital landscape.

Areas of Responsibility 

• Ensure all creative work meets the high standards of the agency as set by the ECD.
• Define and present clear, compelling conceptual directions for projects.
• Lead the creation of intelligent, beautiful, and strategically aligned designs.
• Challenge the team and clients with fresh perspectives and thoughtful ideas.
• Develop a deep understanding of clients’ businesses and customers to inform creative direction.
• Provide clear, actionable feedback and mentorship to elevate team performance.
• Partner with ECD to set creative goals and approaches for projects, ensuring accuracy and strategic alignment.
• Manage and support team members through regular check-ins, reviews, and workload planning.
• Push the team to explore new digital design approaches and stay ahead of emerging digital opportunities.
• Delegate effectively to maximize efficiency and success.
• Foster a collaborative and enjoyable work environment. Don't sweat the small stuff. We are a team. Together to make each day meaningful, fun, and rewarding.

Areas of Influence 

• Collaborate with agency leadership to shape the direction of Owen as a creative agency. 
• Collaborate across teams to make project plans, define goals and deliverables, interpret client needs, and navigate change. 
• Make recommendations to the ECD and Director of Production on improving processes, approach, and end products. 
• Participate in the budgeting and estimating process for your projects. 
• Identify staffing and project needs or opportunities, and communicate them with producers on a regular basis. 
• Help us recruit and retain the best talent around. 

Areas of Growth 

• Continually develop people leadership and creative skills. 
• Develop specific subject matter expertise in your account’s business category. 
• Continually develop the skills/understanding of creative techniques.
• Work with the accounts team to grow existing business and identify new business opportunities. 
• Be a representative of Owen in the greater creative community.

What you bring

You thrive on collaboration and experimentation, embracing emerging technologies and new platforms to push creative boundaries. You know how to generate excitement and develop trust with everyone you work with. You love discovering unique creative solutions as much as mentoring and guiding your team toward great work.

Background: Bachelor's degree in Design, Advertising, Marketing, or a related field, or equivalent experience in a creative role.

Experience: A minimum of 5–7 years in a creative-focused digital agency or in-house at a leading brand. 3 or more years leading creative teams. 

Digital Expertise: Strong background in digital platforms, including web design, UX principles, and evolving digital platforms/trends. Good understanding of the social media landscape.

This is a hybrid, three days a week in office position. Our office is located in the Slabtown neighborhood of Portland.

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