Associate Creative Director, Art Director

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Associate Creative Director, Art Director based in Canada. This is a senior creative opportunity for an experienced Art Director to shape innovative, human, and highly engaging brand work in a fast-moving environment. You will lead the visual and creative direction of integrated campaigns and projects ranging from major brand moments to smaller-scale initiatives. The role combines conceptual thinking, storytelling, hands-on making, creative leadership, and strategic problem-solving. You will collaborate closely with copywriters, designers, writers, marketers, engineers, and external production partners to bring ambitious ideas to life. You will also explore AI-powered tools to accelerate ideation, prototyping, production, and the development of creative assets. This role is ideal for a collaborative creative leader who can move seamlessly between making the work and directing others to deliver it at a high level.

Lead the creative development and production of integrated brand campaigns and projects from initial brief and concept through final delivery. Develop ambitious, original creative concepts and bring them to life through strong visual storytelling, art direction, storyboards, comps, animatics, prototypes, and finished assets. Own both large-scale brand campaigns and smaller creative projects, managing multiple initiatives simultaneously while maintaining a consistently high creative standard. Balance hands-on creative execution with creative direction and delegation, determining the right level of personal involvement for each project and stage of production. Provide art direction across a broad range of formats, including film, digital, social, print, and interactive experiences. Partner closely with copywriters and collaborate with designers, writers, marketers, engineers, and other cross-functional teams to develop integrated creative solutions. Act as a creative and strategic problem-solver, identifying how strong creative ideas can address business objectives and communicate effectively with audiences. Present creative concepts and final work clearly, confidently, and passionately, building alignment and championing the creative vision with internal stakeholders. Use AI tools throughout the creative process, including developing prototypes, drafts, mockups, animatics, and internally produced assets, while exploring new AI-enabled creative workflows. Direct and collaborate with external production partners when required, ensuring creative quality and alignment throughout production. Provide creative guidance and feedback to collaborators while contributing to a culture of thoughtful critique, experimentation, and continuous improvement. Requirements: 6–10+ years of professional experience as an Art Director, with agency experience preferred but not required. Strong conceptual thinking, visual storytelling, art direction, and design skills, with the ability to independently develop storyboards, comps, and animatics without relying exclusively on a dedicated design team. Extensive experience developing and delivering integrated campaigns, from strategic development and creative concepting through production and final execution. Proven production experience across multiple formats and platforms, including film, digital, social, and print. Advanced proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and the ability to remain hands-on, creating comps, layouts, and creative assets across different media while providing direction to studio designers when appropriate. Familiarity with AI-powered image and video generation tools and an interest in experimenting with emerging technologies to improve creative workflows. Strong ability to connect creative thinking with strategic and business objectives, translating complex challenges into compelling creative ideas. Excellent presentation and communication skills, with the ability to articulate creative concepts and confidently advocate for a creative vision. Highly collaborative approach, with the ability to work effectively across creative, marketing, technology, and production teams. Ability to give and receive constructive feedback respectfully and use feedback to strengthen creative outcomes. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and production timelines simultaneously. Willingness to travel for production when required. Benefits: Competitive base salary of CA$152,000–CA$190,000. Equity compensation for eligible permanent employees. Comprehensive health benefits and life insurance. Long-term group savings program with employer matching. 20 vacation days per year. 4 wellness days and unlimited sick and mental health days, subject to role eligibility. Ability to work outside Canada for up to 90 days per year through a flexible work-away program, subject to role eligibility. Employee resource groups supporting communities including 2SLGBTQ+, women, and Black employees. Remote work opportunity within Canada. Collaboration with talented, curious, and highly driven creative, technology, marketing, and business professionals. Opportunities to experiment with AI, emerging creative technologies, and new approaches to creative production. A culture that encourages curiosity, innovation, continuous learning, and thoughtful experimentation. Accessibility support and accommodations throughout the hiring process.