Associate Creative Director, Copy

APCO • New York, NY

1d • $110,000 - $140,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

APCO is seeking a leadership-minded Associate Creative Director (Copy) to join our North American creative team, reporting directly to our Head of Copy. As a strategically driven global communications and public affairs firm, we help clients break through and make an impact in an increasingly distracted environment.
In this role, you will be responsible for the strategic direction of our projects as well as the career paths of our talent, ensuring our work is exceptional and our team is continuously growing.
We are looking for a storyteller capable of generating big, bold, attention-grabbing ideas—concepts that are rooted in strategy and undeniably creative. You must understand the full ecosystem of an integrated campaign, speaking fluently to how creative drives performance across paid, earned, and digital channels to solve business problems.
Given the scale of our firm, success in this role requires the ability to navigate the complexities of a large, multi-sector agency. You must be comfortable advocating for the needs of the creative team while maintaining strong partnerships with client leaders, and be willing to stretch beyond your title to deliver results.

Requirements

• A robust background with extensive (10+ years) experience in a client-facing, creative leadership role, preferably in a digitally integrated agency environment.
• BA or BS in Advertising, Journalism, Communications, or related field and/or a well-rounded portfolio showcasing your expertise in creative thinking, the written (or spoken) word, and the results of your compelling and emotionally engaging work.
• Proven leadership skills-from mentoring creatives to educating and guiding account staff through creative expertise.
• Strong ability to articulate clear creative direction and recommendations to improve on the creative process to keep work on budget and schedule.
• Excellent presentation skills and communication abilities with both colleagues and clients.
• Skilled in the art of prioritizing and managing work and resources across engagements based on short- and long-term need.
• Demonstrated knowledge of audience segmentation, content strategy, paid targeting, and earned media.
• Expertise in brand strategy, brand equity assessments, brand positioning, and messaging.
• Must be based in (or willing to relocate to) Raleigh, NYC, or DC and able to work in-office 3 days a week.

Responsibilities

• Creative Leadership: Serve as a strategic lead on brand reputation, corporate communications, and integrated marketing campaigns. You will not just execute; you will determine the best, not just the easiest, solutions to complex challenges.
• Integrated Campaign Strategy: Connect business objectives with creative strategy. You will architect campaigns that work across the spectrum of paid, earned, shared, and owned media, understanding how a creative concept adapts and performs in each unique channel.
• Concept & Craft: Demonstrate exceptional writing versatility, mastering both punchy short-form copy and engaging long-form narratives. You will concept big ideas and simplify complex topics for various audiences, creating everything from foundational verbal brand elements (positioning, mission, vision, values) to campaign manifestos, scripts, digital ads, website content, and articles.
• Account Leadership: The selected candidate will work as a lead on a variety of accounts, from small to large-scale. You will partner with account managers to understand client business needs and spot opportunities for growth.
• Mentorship: Manage and nurture junior creatives (specifically copywriters) regarding skills development, career pathing, and performance.
• New Business: Lead new business efforts, pitch to "win the room," and earn the trust of potential clients by presenting original concepts with ease and authority.
• Collaboration: Lead presentations, workshops, and immersion sessions internally and externally. You will work across practice groups and offices to build inclusive environments for diverse teams.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees