Associate Creative Director

Kick•Minneapolis, MN

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

At Kick, the Associate Creative Director is both a maker and a leader — a creative force who sets the bar for excellence, inspires the team to think bigger, and turns smart strategy into work that moves people and brands forward. This position provides best practice leadership in copywriting for the agency, which includes developing compelling, brand-centric narratives across all channels, seamlessly integrating copy with design to maintain a consistent and impactful brand voice. With a strong understanding of B2B and B2C marketing, this role creates integrated campaigns that resonate across multiple touchpoints. This position requires an ability to navigate challenges with professionalism to work cross-functionally across teams, upholding brand standards and fostering a culture of creativity and innovation. This role reports to the Executive Creative Director and operates as a strategic partner to guide concepting and creative development.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Advertising, Journalism, or related field; or equivalent work experience
8-12+ years of copywriting experience within an agency or in-house creative environment
Experience leading or mentoring creative team members
A strong portfolio showcasing conceptual campaign work and a breadth of writing expertise, from compelling headlines to engaging long-form copy
Experience managing creative campaigns and cross-functional projects; demonstrated collaboration and communication skills to work effectively across teams
Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively, translating insights into compelling narratives
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and collaborative environment
A proactive, problem-solving mindset and a passion for storytelling
Strong organizational and time-management abilities to juggle multiple projects and priorities
Proven ability to partner with clients and team members to achieve intended results
Proficiency with the Microsoft Suite, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Nice To Haves

Experience copywriting with regulatory, healthcare, CPG and/or pet and animal health industry
Experience contributing to or leading brand strategy, including brand positioning, messaging frameworks, audience insights, and creative platform development
Understanding AP style in order to create long form content for use in blogs and websites
Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suites
Familiarity with medical legal review (MLR) requirements and processes

Responsibilities

Lead the creative development of brand, campaign, and experience work — setting a high creative standard rooted in concept, craft, and cultural relevance.
Guide designers, writers, and art directors through the creative process, from blue-sky ideation to polished execution.
Ensure every piece of work embodies Kick’s creative ethos: strategically grounded, emotionally resonant, and beautifully made.
Foster an environment of inspiration, where experimentation and bold thinking are encouraged and rewarded.
Act as a trusted partner to the ECD — translating vision into action, helping steer the creative department, and elevating work.
Manage up with foresight and clarity: communicate progress, anticipate needs, and surface opportunities for the ECD’s attention.
Collaborate on high-stakes projects, pitches, and presentations, contributing both conceptual thinking and craft finesse.
Represent the ECD and the broader creative vision in reviews and client conversations when needed.
Turn insights into big, brave ideas — work that’s as smart as it is striking.
Lead ideation sessions that push the boundaries of storytelling across branding, digital, experiential, and campaign platforms.
Partner with Strategy and Account teams to ensure every concept is tightly aligned with brand objectives while delivering creative surprise and delight.
Champion originality and push for ideas that challenge conventions and stand out in the marketplace.
Coach and inspire the team to do their best work — nurturing talent, developing voices, and celebrating diverse perspectives.
Model creative excellence and professionalism, leading by example in both process and output.
Cultivate a collaborative, inclusive team culture that values curiosity, craft, and accountability.
Manage direct reports, as may be assigned.
Work fluidly with Strategy, Account, and Production to deliver integrated, cohesive creative solutions.
Translate creative ambition into clear deliverables, managing timelines and priorities without compromising the integrity of the idea.
Collaborate with leadership to evolve Kick’s creative methodologies and raise the overall quality of output across the agency.
Present creative work with confidence and clarity, telling the story behind the idea in a way that inspires trust and excitement.
Build meaningful relationships with clients, earning their confidence as a strategic and creative partner.
Advocate for brave, insightful ideas that strengthen both the client’s brand and Kick’s reputation for world-class work.
Support the ECD and leadership team in refining creative processes, helping to streamline communication and collaboration across departments.
Balance creative direction with hands-on making — ensuring each project reflects both vision and precision.
Manage multiple projects, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery, without losing sight of the details that make work extraordinary.
Oversee project files, assets, and outputs through to completion.
Stay ahead of creative, cultural, and technological trends — bringing fresh thinking and inspiration into the work.
Contribute to Kick’s creative culture through thought leadership, mentorship, and participation in industry conversations.
Constantly push for what’s next: new ideas, new technologies, new forms of storytelling that keep Kick at the forefront of the industry.
Develop creative, thought-provoking copy that aligns with brand objectives and maintains a consistent voice across multiple touchpoints, including campaigns, social content, video scripts, blog posts, and more.
Take complex, technical and/or regulatory concepts and simplify for a general audience in a written/visual format.
Accurately convey findings and data for the intended audience.
Ensure all content aligns with the brand’s positioning and resonates with key target audiences.
Conduct research and interview subject matter experts to inform and elevate storytelling.
Other responsibilities, as may be assigned