Associate Creative Director

ABOUT THE ROLE At 500 we create bold strategic and culturally relevant work for some of the biggest brands in the world Were looking for an Associate Creative Director who can own exceptional creative work from concept through execution while helping shape the next chapter of our growing team This is a highly hands on leadership role for someone who thrives equally as a maker mentor and creative operator Youll lead projects across brand systems campaigns customer experiences presentations and integrated marketing initiatives while partnering closely with account strategy production and executive leadership teams The right person for this role brings elevated design craft strong creative instincts and a sharp eye for detail You know how to guide teams build client trust and move work forward in a fast paced agency environment You should be comfortable presenting ideas in the boardroom one moment and refining layouts in Adobe the next This is not a direct from a distance creative leadership role At 500 all of our creative leaders stay close to the work helping teams sharpen ideas strengthen execution and raise the creative standard across all touchpoints WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT Youll stay close to execution while still operating as a leader Youll work across a wide range of brand experiences from campaigns and merchandising to customer experience and physical environments Youll have meaningful influence on both the work and the growth of the creative team HOW YOULL SHOW UP At 500 how we work matters just as much as what we do These are our values and non negotiables for every individual we hire no matter the role or rank Be a compulsive doer Take initiative follow through and approach work with focus and discipline Raise the bar Bring creativity and care to every task with a desire to learn and improve craft Sharpen the work Ask thoughtful questions seek to understand the problem and apply feedback to strengthen output Move the needle Understand project goals and look for ways to contribute in a meaningful way Work shoulder to shoulder Communicate clearly collaborate with others and contribute to a positive team first environment WHAT YOULL DO Lead creative work Develop strategic concepts campaigns and experiences while leading projects from kickoff through execution Ensure work is both creatively ambitious and grounded in business objectives Lead through craft Stay deeply involved by contributing to design execution elevating visual quality and attention to detail and setting the creative standard through hands on guidance and feedback Lead teams This is a managerial role Youll mentor and support creative talent through thoughtful direction collaboration and accountability Own client relationships Partner directly with key stakeholders and cross functional teams to solve business challenges present work persuasively and build trust through strategic thinking and creative leadership Drive operational excellence Manage multiple priorities while maintaining visibility into both the big picture and executional details ensuring work is polished organized and delivered to a high standard WHAT WERE LOOKING FOR 10 years of related experience with 3 years in creative leadership Strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional design craft and conceptual thinking Strong typography composition hierarchy and storytelling skills Deep understanding of consumer facing brands integrated marketing and customer experience Experience leading projects from concept through production and launch with a proven ability to move fluidly between strategic leadership and hands on execution Confidence presenting to clients and senior stakeholders Strong attention to detail and high standards for creative quality Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Keynote Experience collaborating with photovideo production teams Ability and willingness to travel up to 25 as needed for clients shoots production or industry events NICE TO HAVE QSR or restaurant category experience Experience with merchandising environmental design systems motion animation or experiential campaign experience Familiarity with emerging technologies and AI assisted workflows