Executive Director, Client Partnership, NY

DEPT®•NY, US, NY

2d•$200,000 - $275,000•Hybrid

About The Position

As the Executive Creative Director at DEPT®, you are a vital member of our leadership team, reporting to the SVP Creative. You will define and drive the company’s creative vision, ensuring our design aesthetic continuously evolves to lead the market. You aren't just a master of craft; you are a master of scale, overseeing large-scale digital products, e-commerce, and content for premier lifestyle and technology brands. You will balance high-level strategic planning with a hyper-focus on execution, ensuring our talent is optimized to grow the business and deliver experiences that resonate deeply with global audiences.

Requirements

12+ years of experience in creative, design, or digital environments, including leadership experience in multidisciplinary teams.
Proven success in building teams, managing performance, and mentoring across levels and specialties.
Strong operational and commercial acumen with the ability to balance creative excellence and business performance.
Ability to bring strategic vision and creative inspiration to foster a cohesive and motivated team from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to present complex ideas professionally and effectively to all levels of stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Partner with the executive team to formulate the company’s direction, business plan, and long-term creative strategy.
Continually evolve DEPT®’s design standards, ensuring our work remains culturally relevant and ahead of industry trends.
Lead high-stakes pitches, networking, and creative strategy to win new business and represent the agency on a global stage.
Oversee digital solutions from conception to implementation, ensuring all products exceed client expectations while remaining within budget and deadline.
Navigate complex organizational structures to implement process efficiencies, ensuring the team is hyper-focused on productivity and quality.
Identify and cultivate relationships with key decision-makers, acting as a trusted advisor to bridge business goals with creative execution.
Directly supervise and mentor the creative team, fostering a high-performance culture rooted in collaboration, optimism, and professional growth.
Lead performance management and growth conversations, offering feedback that builds clarity, confidence, and supports career development.
Ensure DEPT® hires and retains top-tier diverse talent, maintaining an environment where creative excellence thrives.
Lead with humility, putting the team and client first while providing the "fresh perspective" and decisive judgment needed to resolve ambiguous situations.
Act as a key cultural ambassador and connector, actively working to unify teams and elevate morale by promoting a positive, shared vision.
Create an inclusive culture where exceptional creative work can thrive, promoting shared learning, collaboration, and accountability across teams and disciplines.