Associate Creative Director, Creative Development
dentsu · San Francisco, CA
- On site
- Full-time
- $144,000 / year
- San Francisco, CA
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Subject: Interested in the Associate Creative Director, Creative Development role at dentsu
Hi Avery — I came across the Associate Creative Director, Creative Development opening and wanted to reach out directly. I've spent the last few years doing exactly this kind of work, and dentsu stood out because…
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Job highlights
- Lead art direction for integrated campaigns.
- Partner with copywriters from concept to delivery.
- Develop campaign systems with consistent visual logic.
- Mentor mid-level creative team members.
- Contribute to new business pitches.
About the role
Associate Creative Director, Creative Development
ACD, Art Director
This is a seat on a team that makes work it’s proud of. You’ll be pairing with an ACD copywriter and reporting to CDs and an ECD on a national home improvement account. It’s a brand with real craft ambition, the production scale to back it up and a track record of high visibility work. You’ll lead the visual language of integrated campaigns, not just execute them. If you have a strong point of view and the taste to match, keep reading.
The Team
Good taste is table stakes. We sweat the details. Craft is how we compete. Team players only. People stay here for a reason. The team culture across departments is collaborative and the work shows it. Must tolerate dad jokes. If you can’t, you will not be happy.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the art direction of integrated campaigns (TV, OLV, social, experiential) from concept through production
- Partner closely with your ACD copywriter from brief to delivery, on projects of any size and style
- Concept and comp across multiple projects simultaneously, developing campaign systems with a consistent visual logic
- Bring a sharp eye to storyboards, comps, and mockups, knowing the difference between a rough and a finished idea
- Work across two Creative Direction teams, alongside strategists, producers, and designers
- Mentor a midlevel team; share what you know and make the work around you better
- Contribute to pitches and help shape the voice of the agency in new business contexts
- Stay genuinely interested in where culture is going, new formats, platforms, and ways of connecting
What We’re Looking For
- Experience: 7+ years in creative advertising at an agency, with a clear arc of increasing ownership
- Portfolio: TV, OLV, and integrated work that shows both concept thinking and visual craft, not just executions
- Production chops: Comfortable on set and in post. You understand how things get made
- Tools: Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) used to build ideas, not just finish them
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in advertising, design, or a related field
Compensation & Benefits
The anticipated base salary range for this position is $99,500–$144,000. Placement within the range is based on experience, skills, and other factors permitted by law.
Benefits include:
- Medical, vision, and dental insurance
- Life insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance
- 401(k)
- Flexible paid time off
- At least 15 paid holidays per year
- Paid sick and safe leave
- Paid parental leave
Full benefits details at dentsubenefitsplus.com. Dentsu complies with applicable state and local leave laws, including the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.
How to Apply
We review applications on a rolling basis. If your portfolio shows work made with intention — where you can point to choices, not unlike outcomes — we’d like to see it. Click “Apply” at the top of this posting to get started.
Key skills/competency
- Art Direction
- Creative Development
- Integrated Campaigns
- Storyboarding
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Client Pitches
- Team Mentorship
- Advertising Agency Experience
- Visual Language
- Campaign Systems
Skills & topics
- Associate Creative Director
- Art Director
- Creative Development
- Advertising
- Agency
- Art Direction
- Campaign Development
- Integrated Campaigns
- Visual Craft
- Storyboarding
- Adobe Creative Suite
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight 7+ years of agency experience and relevant skills.
- Showcase your portfolio: Emphasize concept thinking and visual craft in TV, OLV, and integrated work.
- Demonstrate production knowledge: Detail your experience on set and in post-production.
- Highlight tool proficiency: List your expertise with Adobe Creative Cloud for idea generation.
- Apply early: Submit your application through the company portal as reviews are ongoing.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the experience required for the Associate Creative Director, Art Director role at Dentsu?
- The Associate Creative Director, Art Director position at Dentsu requires a minimum of 7 years of experience in creative advertising at an agency, with a demonstrated progression in ownership and responsibility.
- What kind of portfolio is Dentsu looking for in an Art Director candidate?
- Dentsu seeks a portfolio showcasing TV, OLV, and integrated work that clearly demonstrates both strong concept thinking and high-quality visual craft, rather than just final executions. The work should show intention and well-reasoned choices.
- Does Dentsu Creative require specific software skills for this Art Director role?
- Yes, proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, is required. The emphasis is on using these tools to build and develop ideas, not merely for final finishing.
- What is the expected salary range for the Associate Creative Director position at Dentsu?
- The anticipated base salary range for this Associate Creative Director role at Dentsu is between $99,500 and $144,000 annually, with the final placement determined by experience, skills, and other legal factors.
- What are the benefits offered to full-time employees at Dentsu?
- Dentsu offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, and dental insurance, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, 401(k), flexible paid time off, at least 15 paid holidays, paid sick and safe leave, and paid parental leave.
- Is Dentsu Creative committed to diversity and inclusion?
- Yes, Dentsu is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, irrespective of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, and other protected characteristics.
- How does Dentsu Creative handle accommodation requests for the application process?
- Dentsu Creative provides reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance, you can send an email to ApplicantAccommodations@dentsu.com detailing your accommodation request and contact information.
- What is the application review process like for the Associate Creative Director role at Dentsu?
- Dentsu reviews applications on a rolling basis. They encourage candidates whose portfolios demonstrate intentional work and clear choices to apply via the "Apply" button on the job posting.
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