Associate Creative Director - Art

MERGE•Quinte West, ON

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

At MERGE, we are Built Different. We are a marketing and technology agency purpose-built for the intersection of health and wellness—where human impact matters most. By weaving storytelling through technology, we move beyond traditional engagement to Whole Human Marketing. This approach recognizes that humans are multidimensional and complex, and uses AI to ensure every brand interaction feels natural, contextual, and relevant. This commitment to human-first innovation is what brings us together and propels us forward. We are united by our North Star: to unite people and brands to empower healthier, happier lives. Emerge to the Top of Your Career At MERGE, we strive to create a superior work experience where talented and ambitious people grow. An experience that encourages people to think higher and feel deeper. An experience where people engage their minds and hearts to do the best work of their careers.

Requirements

8 plus years of proven experience in art direction and design leadership within an AOR agency or design firm
Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, and/or equivalent work experience
Mastery of "systems thinking" with a portfolio showcasing scalable, modular design.
Ability to translate nuanced strategies into elegant and impactful creative solutions.
Strong background in digital-first design and omnichannel content architecture with expertise in developing component-based systems within tools like Figma.
Expertise in navigating the balance between creative excellence and strict medical/regulatory guidelines.
A portfolio that demonstrates elite craft, conceptual firepower, and the ability to handle high-stakes brand stewardship.
Exceptional presentation skills with the ability to defend ideas and executions to senior stakeholders.
Applicants for employment in the US must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States.

Responsibilities

Work with your creative partner to ideate concepts, build brands, and execute designs for a variety of communications, both print and digital.
Create solutions that have a business impact on our clients and a meaningful impact on people.
Consistently create and inspire others to deliver world-class, unexpected creative solutions and narratives that are strategically rigorous and executionally efficient.
Architect the visual systems, design languages, and structural messaging frameworks for diverse life sciences clients.
Build modular, scalable brand platforms that maintain brand integrity across channels and customers for high-volume personalized content.
Translate complex clinical data and brand strategies into compelling visual narratives and persuasive stories.
Partner across disciplines (Art and Copy) to create foundational creative stories and systems that set the standard for all tactical executions.
Oversee creative output to ensure a "systems-first" approach to all design and copy development.
Collaborate with strategy and other departments to ensure communications are rooted in deep customer insights.
Navigate senior-level creative reviews with a focus on strategic solutions and establishing scalable brand platforms.
Supervise the work of others—generally 2–4 employees—mentoring junior and mid-level creatives toward systematic, foundational thinking.
Contribute to new business pitches from insight-gathering and strategic development through concept creation and client presentation.