Creative Director (Project by Project Contractor)

Areya Media•New York, NY

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Creative Director is responsible for overseeing creative processes, experiential, new projects, and pitches. Our creative team will depend on the CD for guidance. CD’s are expected to stretch upward as well, a team player but has the experience to craft decks on their own. Owning client presentations, being the creative point person on pitches, and operating autonomously as required. Take creative feedback from multiple sources and sort out how to address it, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the work. Work with strategy and client management to think holistically through the ask, the brief, the insight, the approach. Keep those elements and guidance from other departments in mind throughout the process. Drive creative direction and vision for your project or sometimes multiple projects. Cultivate a culture of high-volume creativity. Push yourself and junior teams to come up with strong, insight driven thinking. Lead your team in developing creative presentations, coordinating pitches, being a strong creative representative in front of clients, handling shoots, etc. Be Culturally knowledgeable. Remain current with pop culture in your areas of interest, but also remain aware of the broader zeitgeist. Work with the Audience Development team to handle creds meetings, client engagement opportunities, etc. Work collaboratively and respectfully with editorial and sales teams. Constantly work to ensure the work your team is putting out is creatively and aesthetically ambitious. Remain (and help your team remain) adaptable to changing and sometimes stressful circumstances. Contribute to a positive environment for all team members, speaking respectfully to and about your colleagues at all levels. Prioritize the collective needs of the company over individual wants. The Creative Director should not only be culturally relevant; but should BE culture itself. The CD should know what it takes to make a piece of work, or a brand, famous, newsworthy, and deserving of people’s time and attention.

Requirements

Experience within the realm of experiential, partnerships, and leading a team.
A diversified background and a variety of interests to draw inspiration from.
The ability to sell your ideas in the most compelling way possible.
To simultaneously frighten, calm, and convince clients.
Senior-level presentation skills.
Ability to balance owning and delegating.
An understanding of what it takes to persuade people, internally or externally, to get excellent work made.
Track record of working with, or creating ideas for global or large regional brands.
Interpersonal savvy; the ability to relate well to all kinds of people, build rapport, form constructive and effective relationships, utilize diplomacy and tact, and diffuse even high-tension situations comfortably.
A scrappy attitude. Resourcefulness. No dependence on big budgets or stacked staffing for your projects.
Integrity and trustworthiness; ability to be direct and truthful, present the unvarnished truth, keep confidences, admit mistakes, and never misrepresent oneself for personal gain.
Contemporary taste in design, copy, art direction, music, etc. All the magical stuff we use to make our work.
Honesty, honesty, honesty. With creatives, with clients, with colleagues, and with yourself.

Responsibilities

Overseeing creative processes, experiential, new projects, and pitches
Craft decks
Owning client presentations
Being the creative point person on pitches
Operating autonomously as required
Take creative feedback from multiple sources and sort out how to address it
Work with strategy and client management to think holistically through the ask, the brief, the insight, the approach
Drive creative direction and vision for your project or sometimes multiple projects
Cultivate a culture of high-volume creativity
Lead your team in developing creative presentations, coordinating pitches, being a strong creative representative in front of clients, handling shoots, etc.
Be Culturally knowledgeable
Work with the Audience Development team to handle creds meetings, client engagement opportunities, etc.
Work collaboratively and respectfully with editorial and sales teams
Remain adaptable to changing and sometimes stressful circumstances
Contribute to a positive environment for all team members
Prioritize the collective needs of the company over individual wants