Creative Director

Thesis•Portland, OR

7h•$15 - $155,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Creative Director champions brand, taste, and curiosity, ensuring creative excellence across our studio. Reporting to the Executive Creative Director, they lead the creative vision for client work, new business, and the agency’s creative growth. With a refined sense of brand and a keen eye for design, they translate campaign objectives into compelling experiences. They work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure the work is both visually striking and strategically sound, solving client challenges with intelligence and the unexpected. This role is also dedicated to building and strengthening the creative team. Through mentorship, process improvement, and recruitment, they foster a culture of curiosity and continuous growth, ensuring Owen remains a leader in design and brand storytelling. Above all, they are a clear and compassionate leader. Whether collaborating with an ECD to bring a brand to life or guiding a junior designer through a new challenge, they lead with empathy, kindness, and self-awareness while maintaining a strong commitment to quality.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Design, Advertising, Marketing, or a related field, or equivalent experience in a creative role.
A minimum of 8-10+ years in a creative-focused agency or in-house at a leading brand.
3 or more years leading creative teams.

Nice To Haves

Candidates who do not meet 100% of the qualifications are encouraged to apply.
Passionate about strategy, eager to grow, and excited to contribute your perspective.
A strategist who’s eager to learn, share, and innovate.

Responsibilities

Manages and oversees select accounts, projects, and the creative team.
Responsible for managing and directing the creative process.
Guides and directs ACD, art/copy directors, and designers in their individual project and account responsibilities.
Responsible for leading work on large-scale projects that have a significant impact on the account and agency.
Is responsible for team performance while keeping the team focused and motivated.
Develops goals for each direct report, is able to tie individual goals to department and agency goals, and drives high accountability in their department/team/with their direct reports. Collaborates with creative leaders in establishing team and company-aligned goals.
Models strong leadership and management skills with both individual contributors and people managers.
Manages other director-level (ACD) leaders as well as individual contributors (AD-Designer).
Partners with ECD to establish team vision and goals.
Implements & tracks progress against these departmental goals.
As a member of our Senior Leadership team, you'll serve as a visible, accountable leader who operates from an all-agency perspective—setting the tone through action, fostering clarity and alignment through open communication, listening with intent, and leveraging deep organizational and industry knowledge to guide teams toward shared goals.
Keen eye for new talent at all levels across the creative team.
Identifies, recruits, and secures contractor talent for their areas of responsibility.
Partners with department leadership in developing long-term strategies.
Has an expert understanding of business problems and solutions.
Strong voice in partnering to develop the strategic narrative for our company.
Adopts and exemplifies operating imperatives, guiding others in the organization to understand and follow them.
Able to effectively delegate.
Skilled at managing up and across the organization.
Is resourceful, dynamic, and adaptable. Team(s) consistently hit targets and goals.
Highly skilled at breaking down barriers, never afraid to ask questions.
Able to lead conflict resolution with a positive approach and positive outcome, with all levels of employees.
Strong ability to build relationships and trust with internal teams, external teams, and clients.
Continuous training and development in emotional intelligence, emotional regulation, people leadership, mentorship, and equity and inclusion, including power and privilege awareness.
Grow client relationships and establish client partnerships supported by trust and mutual respect.
Be a representative of Owen in the greater creative community.
Commit to the best possible work: Push through creative roadblocks, try new things, and embrace experimentation.
Communicate honestly, directly, and with detail.
Bring depth to your work: Research, dig deep, and use your unique experiences to push our creative executions forward.
Be adaptable and collaborative: Whether it's asking for help, offering support, or jumping into something new, we figure it out together.
Sweat the small stuff: The details are the work, and they make all the difference.
Respect the team: Soft skills are our superpower. Openness, self-awareness, and empathy are at our core.