lead writer, Creative Studio

Starbucks

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Starbucks Creative Studio is seeking a Lead Writer to shape Starbucks’ tone and voice across channels. The role crafts brand stories and product narratives, develops strategic concepts, and creates high-quality copy for omnichannel campaigns. As a leader within the writing discipline, the Lead Writer helps define and steward the Starbucks voice globally while mentoring other writers. The position combines hands-on writing with leading writing-forward projects from concept through completion in close partnership with the broader creative team.

The Lead Writer maintains voice and tone standards, provides practical guidance and feedback to writers, and partners with creative and cross-functional teams to shape narratives, presentations, and conceptual work. The role also helps improve briefs, facilitates creative sessions, champions strong concepts, and advises internal partners and external agencies on brand voice and creative excellence.

This role is based in Seattle and is onsite four days a week. Applicants should include a link to a writing portfolio or work samples with their application.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of writing or copywriting experience at an agency or in-house creative team.
• A portfolio demonstrating brand storytelling, product narratives, and integrated campaign work, including range, craft, and conceptual strength.
• Ability to shape and steward voice and tone systems and turn standards into practical guidance, feedback, and tools for writers.
• Ability to translate briefs, insights, and business priorities into strong creative concepts and copy across channels.
• Clear, persuasive presentation and facilitation skills, including the ability to lead brainstorms, critiques, and creative discussions with diverse audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Strong relationship-building and creative partnership skills with writers, art directors, internal partners, and agencies.
• Applicants should include a link to a writing portfolio or work samples with their application.

Responsibilities

• Write compelling brand stories and product narratives that elevate the Starbucks voice globally with clarity and consistency across channels.
• Shape and maintain voice and tone standards, lead ongoing dialogue with writers, and serve as a hub for copy feedback, decisions, guidelines, and tools.
• Develop strategic concepts and high-quality copy for large campaigns, and lead writing-forward projects from concept through completion.
• Partner with lead art directors, ACDs, creative project managers, designers, studio leadership, and cross-functional teams to shape narratives, presentations, and conceptual work.
• Partner with ACDs to analyze insights, resolve gaps, define success, structure creative approaches, and explain the reasoning behind copy decisions.
• Facilitate brainstorms, critiques, and voice and tone sessions; champion stronger conceptual thinking; and translate cultural and creative trends into relevant storytelling strategies.
• Mentor junior writers and consult with internal partners and external agencies on brand voice, narrative, and creative excellence.
• Manage multiple complex projects and adapt to changing priorities in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Basic and supplemental life insurance and other voluntary insurance benefits.
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• Paid parental leave and family expansion reimbursement.
• Paid vacation from date of hire and sick time accrued at 1 hour for every 25 hours worked.
• Eight paid holidays and two personal days per year.
• Eligible partners may participate in a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
• Discounted company stock program (S.I.P.) and Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock).
• Incentivized emergency savings and financial well-being tools.
• 100% upfront tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University’s online program via the Starbucks College Achievement Plan.
• Student loan management resources and access to other educational opportunities.
• Backup care and DACA reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

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