Head of Creative (Remote US)

Directive • Irvine, CA

1d • $160,000 - $185,000 • Remote

About The Position

Directive Consulting is seeking a Head of Creative to lead its Performance Design department, which brings together creative craft and performance marketing. The role is accountable for both the strategic and financial direction of the department and the day-to-day development of its people and work. The successful candidate will scale an established team and methodology while maintaining a clear creative position.

The Head of Creative reports to senior leadership and manages the full Performance Design team, including designers, project management, and motion contractors. The position owns creative vision and quality, develops systems and workflows, oversees team growth, partners with paid media and client success teams, represents the department in business and client discussions, and manages the department’s P&L, margins, resourcing, and revenue targets. The role also leads adoption of AI creative tools and integrates emerging technologies into production workflows.

This is a remote-first position operating 100% virtually from a home office. The role requires a reliable setup, high-speed internet, and a professional environment capable of running Adobe Creative Suite and video production software. Directive also accommodates candidates in countries where it has established business operations, including Canada, Mexico, and the UK, with current permanent work authorization required in the country of employment.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in creative roles within performance marketing, paid media, or growth-focused agency environments.
• Proven track record managing creative teams and balancing creative quality with business outcomes.
• Comfort presenting department strategy and financial projections to VPs and CMOs, as well as reviewing creative briefs.
• Strong understanding of how a creative department operates as a business.
• Direct experience managing or having visibility into P&L, margin, and resourcing decisions.
• Ability to make decisions with financial impact in mind.
• Hands-on experience with AI creative tools, such as generative image, AI-powered video, or design analytics tools.
• Ability to integrate AI into real production workflows rather than only demonstrate it.
• Strong communication skills and executive presence, including the ability to translate creative thinking into business language.
• Track record of building trust with creative practitioners and senior leadership.
• Current, permanent work authorization in the country of employment.
• Ability to remain stationary for extended periods, operate design and video software on Mac or PC, and consistently observe and interpret written and verbal communication.
• Reliable home-office setup and high-speed internet, with a professional environment capable of running Adobe Creative Suite and video production software without interruption.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with platforms such as EyeQuant, Creatify, or Superside.

Responsibilities

• Own the creative vision and quality standard for the Performance Design department.
• Ensure creative work meets craft and conversion benchmarks.
• Review and elevate creative across paid social, display, video, and landing page formats.
• Build systems and workflows that support excellent creative output internally and for clients.
• Ensure campaigns are developed and optimized as campaigns rather than as standalone ads, with testing and learning incorporated.
• Partner with senior leadership to develop a distinctive creative process that supports DiscoverabilityOS.
• Lead, coach, and develop a multidisciplinary team of designers and motion contractors.
• Set clear expectations, foster accountability, and build a culture that supports strong creative work.
• Identify team members’ growth opportunities and invest in their development.
• Partner with paid media and client success teams so creative is data-informed from the start.
• Represent the department in new business pitches, cross-sell opportunities, and client conversations; meet clients monthly during leadership meetings to discuss quality and results.
• Explain the strategic value of Performance Design beyond execution.
• Own and manage the department P&L, including budgeting decisions for staffing, technology, and other investments.
• Monitor margins, make financially informed resourcing decisions, and operate the department as a profitable, scalable business unit with monthly revenue targets and direct margin goals.
• Lead adoption of AI creative tools across the team.
• Identify how emerging technologies can improve creative output and efficiency, and integrate AI into production workflows.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans, plus disability and life insurance coverage for the employee and family.
• A 100% employer-paid plan for the employee and a 50% employer contribution for dependents.
• Access to certified therapists through Spring Health and membership to Headspace.
• Physical therapy through Omada, fertility support through Carrott, Aaptiv virtual workouts, and a complimentary One Medical membership for primary and virtual care.
• Unlimited PTO with a two-week minimum.
• Paid company holidays, birthday off, and End of Year Recharge closure from December 24 through January 1.
• Paid parental leave.
• Traditional and Roth 401(k) with a 3% company match.
• Annual bonus based on tenure, with the total amount increasing over time.

What This Job Offers

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