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 ACD copywriter on projects.
- Develop campaign systems with visual logic.
- Mentor mid-level 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 just 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 Suite
- Advertising
- Portfolio Development
- Mentorship
- Agency Experience
- New Business Pitches
Skills & topics
- Associate Creative Director
- Art Director
- Creative Development
- Advertising
- Art Direction
- Integrated Campaigns
- Storyboarding
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Portfolio
- Agency
- Dentsu
- San Francisco
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight 7+ years of agency experience and increasing ownership.
- Showcase your portfolio: Emphasize concept thinking and visual craft in TV, OLV, and integrated work.
- Demonstrate production knowledge: Detail your comfort on set and in post-production.
- Highlight tool proficiency: Specify your expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud for idea building.
- Apply early: Submit your application promptly as reviews are on a rolling basis.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the salary range for the Associate Creative Director Art Director role at Dentsu?
- The anticipated base salary range for the Associate Creative Director Art Director position at Dentsu is $99,500–$144,000 annually. The final placement within this range will depend on your experience, skills, and other legal factors.
- What type of experience is required for the Associate Creative Director Art Director role?
- Dentsu is looking for candidates with at least 7 years of experience in creative advertising at an agency, demonstrating a clear progression of responsibility and ownership in their career.
- What should I include in my portfolio for the Associate Creative Director Art Director application?
- Your portfolio for the Associate Creative Director Art Director role should showcase TV, OLV, and integrated work. It needs to highlight both strong concept thinking and exceptional visual craft, going beyond simple executions to show intentional choices.
- What are the key technical skills for an Associate Creative Director Art Director at Dentsu?
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is essential for the Associate Creative Director Art Director role, particularly for building ideas. Experience with TV, OLV, social, and experiential campaign production, including on-set and post-production, is also crucial.
- Does Dentsu offer benefits for this Associate Creative Director Art Director position?
- Yes, Dentsu offers a comprehensive benefits package for the Associate Creative Director Art Director role, including medical, vision, and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, 401(k), flexible paid time off, paid holidays, sick leave, and parental leave.
- How does Dentsu handle applications for the Associate Creative Director Art Director job?
- Dentsu reviews applications for the Associate Creative Director Art Director position on a rolling basis. Interested candidates are encouraged to click 'Apply' at the top of the posting to submit their application and portfolio.
- What is the work environment like for an Associate Creative Director Art Director at Dentsu?
- The team culture at Dentsu is collaborative, with a strong emphasis on craft and attention to detail. The role involves working closely with an ACD copywriter, CDs, and an ECD, and requires a tolerance for dad jokes.