Head of Brand and Creative

WHITEFISH CREDIT UNION ASSOCIATION•Kalispell, MT

About The Position

The Head of Brand & Creative serves as the creative and brand steward for Whitefish Credit Union. This role is responsible for leading the visual identity, brand voice, and creative direction of the organization, ensuring that the brand is expressed consistently and effectively across all marketing channels, branch environments, and member-facing communications. This position translates strategic marketing objectives into compelling creative concepts, messaging frameworks, and storytelling that strengthen brand awareness, increase member engagement, and support organizational growth. Working in close partnership with the Strategic Marketing Manager and the Senior Vice President of Marketing, the Head of Brand & Creative develops creative direction for marketing campaigns, guides messaging and brand voice, and directs internal and external creative execution. This role also maintains and enforces the Whitefish Credit Union brand system, including visual standards, messaging guidelines, and brand documentation, ensuring consistency across all departments and communications. The Head of Brand & Creative encourages thoughtful and bold creative thinking while ensuring that creative work supports strategic objectives and maintains brand integrity.

Requirements

Strong understanding of brand strategy, creative direction, and marketing communications.
Demonstrated ability to translate strategic objectives into compelling creative concepts and messaging.
Strong visual design sensibility and understanding of brand identity systems.
Ability to guide messaging frameworks, storytelling, and brand voice across marketing channels.
Experience directing creative vendors and production partners.
Ability to balance creative thinking with practical execution and organizational objectives.
Ability to respectfully challenge ideas that weaken brand consistency or campaign effectiveness.
Ability to communicate effectively in person, in writing and over the phone with all internal and external stakeholders. Courtesy and tact are essential.
Ability and willingness to interact calmly and professionally with people from all backgrounds.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to work with others in an effective manner, listen well, share work-related information and be tolerant of others’ work styles.
Ability to multitask, prioritize, and organize day-to-day responsibilities with attention to detail and timeliness.
Competent with Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office applications; ability and willingness to work with a variety of office equipment and software systems.
Ability to lift up to 15 lbs., with or without accommodation.
Complete mandatory annual BSA training that includes Red Flag, Identity Theft, OFAC, CTR, and SAR reporting and thresholds, as well as the safekeeping of member information, and pass any applicable tests.
Follow all Whitefish Credit Union, Montana, and Federal information privacy guidelines.
Adhere to all Whitefish Credit Union policies and procedures.
Protect Member and Whitefish Credit Union confidential information.
Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, design, public relations, or related field.
5–8 years of professional experience in marketing, branding, creative direction, or related roles.
Demonstrated experience developing creative campaigns and brand messaging.
Professional experience with Adobe Creative Cloud applications.
Strong portfolio demonstrating both campaign concept development and brand identity systems.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading video storytelling and production direction preferred.
Experience working with external creative vendors or agencies strongly preferred.
Financial services or regulated industry experience helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

Serve as the steward of the Whitefish Credit Union brand, ensuring consistent application of visual identity, messaging, and tone across all communications and member experiences.
Maintain and evolve the organization’s brand guidelines, visual identity systems, and messaging frameworks.
Develop and maintain brand documentation, design templates, and asset libraries to support consistent brand usage across the organization.
Review and approve branded materials across departments to ensure alignment with established brand standards.
Provide guidance and education to internal teams and partners regarding proper brand usage.
Lead the development of creative concepts, messaging frameworks, and storytelling approaches for marketing campaigns and initiatives.
Translate strategic marketing objectives into compelling creative direction that supports campaign performance and brand strength.
Facilitate creative ideation and concept development for campaigns, brand initiatives, and storytelling opportunities.
Collaborate with the Strategic Marketing Manager to develop campaign briefs that align strategic objectives with creative direction.
Provide creative leadership and direction throughout campaign development and production.
Guide the development of brand voice, messaging frameworks, and storytelling approaches for marketing campaigns and initiatives.
Develop campaign themes, taglines, scripts, and messaging structures that effectively communicate Whitefish Credit Union’s value to members and communities.
Lead storytelling concepts for video, multimedia, and brand narrative content.
Direct the development of scripts, storyboards, and narrative direction for video campaigns and storytelling initiatives in collaboration with production partners.
Direct and oversee creative execution through internal resources and external creative partners, including designers, agencies, video production teams, and other vendors.
Provide clear creative direction, feedback, and quality control throughout the creative production process.
Ensure creative assets meet established brand standards and effectively communicate campaign messaging.
Scale creative production resources through vendor partnerships as needed to support campaign and organizational priorities.
Own and maintain visual brand standards across branch environments and member-facing physical spaces.
Guide branding elements within branches, including signage, environmental graphics, printed materials, and digital displays.
Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure brand consistency in new branch development, renovations, and branch marketing materials.
Partner with the Strategic Marketing Manager to translate product strategy and campaign objectives into compelling messaging and creative concepts.
Collaborate on product storytelling and campaign messaging for lending, deposit, and digital banking initiatives.
Ensure creative execution supports both strategic marketing goals and a consistent brand narrative.
Personally contribute to creative development when appropriate, including design, concept development, and creative refinement for key initiatives.
Review and refine creative work to ensure quality, clarity, and alignment with brand standards.
Work collaboratively with internal departments, marketing team members, and third-party partners to support marketing initiatives and brand consistency.
Support internal communications and organizational initiatives as needed to ensure alignment with brand voice and visual standards.
Participate in community and organizational events when appropriate.
Model and reinforce a collaborative and team-oriented approach within the marketing department.
Report to work on time and as scheduled.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Competitive starting wage
100% employer-paid health insurance
FSA (Flex plan) available
Telehealth available
3% employer 401k contribution (no matching requirement)
8% employer pension plan contribution (following first year of employment)
11 paid federal holidays (Saturday holidays excluded)
17 days of PTO annually, accrued monthly
Life and disability insurance
Wellness program
Social Responsibility Policy – 24 hours annually of paid time for non-profit volunteer efforts
Tuition Reimbursement Program – application-eligible following one year of employment