Creative Director

Marketwake•Atlanta, GA

17h•Hybrid

About The Position

At Marketwake, we are storytellers, strategists, and creators passionate about turning visions into dynamic realities. Our work spans digital marketing, branding, and creative design - and we thrive on pushing the boundaries of what's possible. We're looking for a Creative Director who will set the creative vision, lead our talented team, and deliver exceptional work for our clients. As Creative Director at Marketwake, you will own the agency's creative output - from brand identities and campaigns to digital experiences. You'll serve as the highest creative authority on client work, leading a team of designers and art directors while operating as a strategic partner to account and leadership teams. You'll define what 'great' looks like at Marketwake and build the culture, processes, and standards to get us there consistently. This is a hybrid role located in Atlanta, GA.

Requirements

8+ years of creative experience, with at least 3 years in a senior creative leadership role (CD, ACD, or equivalent)
Proven track record leading creative teams in an agency or fast-paced environment
Expert-level proficiency across design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and beyond
Strong understanding of brand strategy, visual identity, digital design, and content marketing
Exceptional presentation and communication skills - you can sell an idea and inspire a room
Experience managing cross-functional creative workflows and balancing multiple priorities
A portfolio that demonstrates range, strategic thinking, and standout creative execution across industries

Nice To Haves

Motion design, video, and/or content production experience a strong plus

Responsibilities

Set and Own the Creative Vision: Define and champion the agency's creative direction across all client work and internal initiatives. Ensure every deliverable reflects a high standard of quality, originality, and strategic thinking.
Establish and maintain agency-wide creative standards and brand voice
Translate business objectives into compelling, innovative visual strategies
Push the work beyond the brief by consistently delivering ideas that exceed client expectations
Lead and Develop the Creative Team: Inspire, mentor, and manage a team of designers, art directors, copywriters, content strategists, and other creatives. Build a collaborative, high-performance creative culture.
Provide clear creative direction, constructive feedback, and ongoing coaching
Identify skills gaps and invest in the growth of team members
Foster an environment of creative ambition, accountability, and joy
Drive Client Creative Strategy: Act as the senior creative voice in client relationships by presenting ideas confidently, earning trust, and managing creative expectations
Lead creative presentations and pitches to clients and prospects
Partner with account teams to understand client goals and translate them into creative strategy
Clarify and insist on well-defined project briefs before work begins
Oversee Creative Quality and Process: Own the quality of all creative output from concept through delivery. Develop scalable processes that ensure excellence without sacrificing speed.
Review and approve all major creative deliverables before client presentation
Implement and refine QA processes across the creative team
Manage resources, timelines, and creative capacity across multiple simultaneous projects
Stay at the Forefront of the Industry: Keep Marketwake's creative output fresh, relevant, and competitive by staying deeply connected to design, culture, and emerging technologies.
Monitor trends across branding, digital design, advertising, and content
Bring new perspectives and inspiration to brainstorms and team learning sessions
Contribute to agency thought leadership and positioning