Creative Director - Art

M+C Saatchi Group•New York, NY

About The Position

SS+K is a creative agency specializing in brand reputation and issue advocacy, combining marketing and communications to help brands and organizations navigate significant business, cultural, and reputational change. Our mission is to help brands and organizations gain the Cultural Power they need to make the impact they want in the world. For nearly 30 years, we’ve worked with both disruptors and the disrupted — including clients such as Microsoft, Delta, JPMorganChase, Mount Sinai, Visit Iceland, Airbnb, and WhatsApp. Our commitment to impact has also led us to create essential campaigns for organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Girls Who Code, Communities in Schools, LeBron James’ More Than a Vote, and Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. SS+K is part of the M&C Saatchi Group, the world’s largest independent creative network. We are seeking an experienced Creative Director (Art Focus) to lead the visual identity and design excellence across all client work. This role is ideal for a visionary art director who has grown into a leadership position but still has the passion and hands-on skill to concept, design, and execute campaign assets when needed. The Creative Director will drive the look, feel, and craft of every campaign, ensuring that design and visual storytelling elevate ideas, resonate with audiences, and deliver measurable impact. You’ll partner with writers, strategists, and producers to create breakthrough work that’s both strategically grounded and visually iconic.

Requirements

10+ years of agency experience with a proven track record in art direction, design, and visual storytelling.
At least 3+ years in a Creative Director, Associate Creative Director, or senior art leadership role.
Strong portfolio showcasing award-winning design and integrated campaigns.
Hands-on mastery of Adobe Creative Suite (and/or other design tools); familiarity with motion, UX/UI, and emerging tech is a plus.
Strong presentation and communication skills — able to sell creative ideas with clarity and passion.
Proven experience leading and growing creative teams.
Demonstrate an unyielding obsession with world-class work that drives cultural relevance and business results, refusing to settle for merely "good enough" ideas.
Convey a mindset that sees campaigns as comprehensive narratives across channels, articulating a clear, inspiring creative vision that junior creatives can follow and execute against.
Show the attitude to fearlessly challenge conventional thinking (clients, account teams, or even agency leadership) in pursuit of the best creative solution, while maintaining professional respect.
Highlight a management style focused on mentorship, protection, and developing creative talent, inspiring teams to reach beyond their perceived capabilities and fostering a diverse, ego-free creative culture.
Express a deep curiosity about human behavior and culture, demonstrating the ability to translate complex strategic insights into simple, emotionally resonant, and impactful creative concepts.
All candidates must have the ability to work in the US; we are unable to sponsor any work visas for this role.

Nice To Haves

familiarity with motion, UX/UI, and emerging tech is a plus.

Responsibilities

Define and elevate the agency’s design and visual standards across all channels, from broadcast to digital, social, experiential, and OOH.
Set the visual direction for campaigns and guide teams in developing striking, brand-right creative.
Balance oversight with execution — ensuring flawless design delivery while stepping in to concept or execute when needed.
Oversee concept development, mood boards, style frames, layouts, and final design delivery.
Personally contribute to design, typography, photography direction, illustration, and motion/UX design as needed.
Push for visual innovation while maintaining brand integrity and consistency across all touchpoints.
Confidently present creative and design concepts, articulating the rationale behind visual choices.
Build trust with clients by listening to their needs and showing how strong design solutions can meet business objectives.
Partner with copywriters to develop holistic, visually driven ideas.
Work closely with strategy to ensure design solutions are rooted in insights and consumer truths.
Collaborate with production partners, photographers, illustrators, animators, and developers to bring ideas to life with craft and polish.
Mentor art directors, designers, and junior talent — pushing them creatively and professionally.
Foster a design-driven culture that prizes craft, curiosity, and collaboration.