Freelance Associate Director - Creative

Overview

Lead the visual direction of key accounts as a visual visionary and tactical leader, bridging big ideas and beautiful execution while mentoring a team of designers and art directors.

What you'll do

• Lead the visual evolution of brands, overseeing art direction for pitches and flagship projects to a world-class standard of design, typography, and composition.
• Guide a team of junior to mid-level Art Directors and Designers with specific, craft-based feedback that pushes their work further and helps them develop their own visual voices.
• Take ownership of the visual narrative across multi-channel campaigns, ensuring a cohesive look and feel across film, digital, social, and physical experiences.
• Lead the visual side of production, including selecting photographers and directors and overseeing color grading, retouching, and motion design.
• Act as the visual authority in client meetings, presenting design systems and art direction with passion and clarity and explaining the strategic why behind visual choices.
• Partner with Creative leadership to evolve design workflows, establish quality standards, and identify new tools or AI-driven technologies.
• Foster an inclusive, design-forward culture that encourages experimentation, shared learning, and a relentless pursuit of visual excellence.

What you'll need

• 5+ years of experience in art direction or design within a creative agency or high-growth brand environment or related field.
• Mastery of art direction, layout, typography, and integrated visual storytelling across various platforms.
• Experience leading small teams or overseeing the work of freelancers and junior creatives.
• Expert-level knowledge of Figma, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.), motion design, or AI image generation.
• The ability to ensure every visual choice, from color palette to casting, serves the client's business goals and brand identity.
• The ability to articulate complex visual concepts to non-visual stakeholders and clients.

Details

• Location: US Remote.
• Employment type: Freelance.
• Salary range: $90 to $110 USD (US Remote range).