Creative Director, Design Lead

GREY•New York, NY

16h•$75,000 - $180,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Creative Director of Design sets creative direction, drives innovation, and delivers exceptional design solutions for clients’ advertising campaigns. This role combines design expertise, strategic thinking, and creative leadership to develop work that meets client objectives and resonates with target audiences. The position oversees design projects across platforms, guides and mentors creative team members, and partners with clients and internal teams to create integrated, high-quality campaigns and strengthen clients’ visual identities. The role also manages project resources, timelines, and budgets; maintains brand consistency; and stays informed about design technology, industry and cultural trends, and digital platforms. The position follows a hybrid work approach with required in-office days. The listed base salary range is $75,000–$180,000 USD, with compensation varying according to job-related factors. A competitive benefits package is offered, with further details available via the employer’s benefits link.

Requirements

At least 8 years of industry experience in an established creative role, with a proven track record.
Strategic mindset and ability to develop creative design concepts and solutions aligned with client objectives and audience needs.
Leadership and management skills to inspire and motivate a creative team, foster collaboration, and drive strong creative execution.
Strong communication and presentation skills, including the ability to explain design concepts, influence stakeholders, and build client relationships.
Strong creative portfolio demonstrating relevant or category experience.
Experience presenting and strong verbal communication skills.
Experience working with large teams in a client-facing role.
Excellent written communication and presentation skills.
Excellent grasp of design and layout fundamentals.
Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Keynote, PowerPoint, Google Slides, and AI tools.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of digital media and experience designing for various digital platforms.
Front-end development experience with CSS and HTML, and experience working within a CMS.

Responsibilities

Set creative direction and provide strategic leadership for design work, guiding the creative team in developing innovative solutions that meet client objectives and appeal to target audiences.
Work with clients and account managers to understand business goals, audiences, and communication objectives, translating them into design strategies and concepts.
Oversee design projects across platforms and ensure high-quality, on-brand creative work that meets or exceeds client expectations.
Guide and mentor junior designers, support their development, and foster a collaborative environment that encourages creativity and fresh ideas.
Oversee the conceptualization, development, and execution of visual elements for advertising campaigns.
Present design concepts to clients, explain the creative rationale, and incorporate feedback to refine the work.
Build and maintain client relationships, serving as a creative partner and providing strategic guidance on brand identity and communications.
Lead and participate in brainstorming with copywriters, art directors, and other team members to develop integrated campaign concepts.
Maintain brand consistency and adherence to clients’ design standards and brand guidelines.
Manage resources, project timelines, and budgets to deliver high-quality work on schedule and within allocated resources.
Stay informed about industry trends, consumer preferences, and best practices.
Track technological advancements, including design software, digital tools, and platforms, to improve creative processes and deliver innovative solutions.
Stay informed about pop culture and social media trends to bring culturally relevant elements into briefs and campaigns.