Executive Creative Director - Visual Content (In-Office or Remote Based on Location)

Zions Bancorporation • San Francisco, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Consistently ranking among American Banker magazine's "Best Banks to Work For" for over a decade, Zions Bancorporation is a "Collection of Great Banks" with local brand names and management teams in each of our major Western markets. And because we’ve known that, for over 150 years, our success has come from the exceptional dedication, experience and talent of our diverse employee base, we're committed to being the premier employer of choice. Our expanding marketing team is building something special—a dynamic, in-house Creative Studio that will transform how we connect with customers. Under fresh leadership from our newly appointed CMO, we're reimagining what marketing can be while supporting a bank known for its experienced bankers, exceptional service, and local leadership deeply rooted in the communities we serve. This isn't just another financial marketing role — it's your chance to shape a creative vision with real impact. You bring the talent; we bring the opportunity. We’re seeking an exceptional Executive Creative Director of Visual Content to help lead and evolve our visual identity across photography, video, and illustration. Marrying financial services expertise and creative excellence, this role is responsible for ensuring our enterprise brand and each of our seven affiliate brands express themselves with clarity, cohesion, and distinction through visual storytelling.

Requirements

• Ten or more years of progressive creative leadership experience, with significant time spent developing visual identity systems and brand design frameworks.
• Deep portfolio demonstrating excellence in visual storytelling, ideally within financial services, fintech, pharma, journalism or other trust-driven industries.
• Proven ability to balance creativity with the constraints of regulated industries.
• Exceptional visual sensibility across formats and channels, from digital experiences to large-scale campaigns.
• Strategic thinking that connects business goals to visual expression and customer experience.
• Experience leading and developing creative teams, with a track record of attracting and retaining top talent.
• Extensive knowledge of and network within the photography and video industry.
• Expertise and experience with contracting processes and intellectual property law.
• Acumen in managing image libraries.
• Experience in production methods, supervising retouching and color correction.
• Comfort presenting to and influencing C-suite executives and board members.
• Understanding of how visual identity intersects with customer experience, product design, and business strategy.
• Proactive problem solving and collaboration skills that succeed in matrixed organizations and cross-functional partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute proprietary photography and video across the enterprise.
• Partner cross-functionally to establish the visual standards that guide how we present ourselves across wealth management, commercial and small business banking, consumer banking, and our digital platforms.
• Define video, photography and illustration principles, content direction and standards that balance regulatory requirements with compelling, human-centered design.
• Guide a producer and collaborate with the larger creative team in creating campaigns that move beyond transactional visuals to build lasting emotional connections with our clients in a way that reflects our commitment to helping clients achieve their financial goals.
• Partner with marketing leadership, business segment leads, and affiliate marketing teams to translate business objectives into compelling visual strategies, concepts and execution.
• Lead the creative development and visual content direction of integrated campaigns across digital, print, experiential, and emerging channels.
• Establish and maintain visual identity systems that work across diverse audiences—from mass market clients to high-net-worth segments.
• Source and hire freelance photo/video teams, illustrators.
• Source existing visual assets from creators.
• Curate stock photography.
• Direct the creative development process from initial brief through final execution, ensuring work meets both design excellence and regulatory compliance standards.
• Mentor and develop creative talent, fostering a culture of curiosity, craftsmanship, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with legal, compliance, and risk teams to push creative boundaries while maintaining appropriate guardrails.
• Manage freelancer contracting, budgets, production schedules, and an image library of photography, video, and illustration.
• Compellingly present creative work to senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Stay attuned to design trends, visual storytelling innovation, and evolving client expectations in financial services.
• Contribute to both day-to-day creative needs and large-scale campaigns in this hands-on role.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance - START DAY ONE!
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• Health Savings (HSA)
• Flexible Spending (FSA) and dependent care accounts
• Paid Training
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 11 Paid Federal Holidays, and any applicable state holidays
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Profit Sharing
• competitive compensation in line with work experience
• Mental health benefits including coaching and therapy sessions
• Tuition Reimbursement for qualifying employees enrolled in an accredited degree program related to the needs of the business, maximum of $5,250 per calendar year, employees are eligible for the program upon hire
• Employee Ambassador preferred banking products—a complete set of checking, savings, loan and payment benefits exclusively available to you as an employee of Zions Bancorporation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: No Education Listed