Associate Creative Director

Associate Creative Director, Visual

About Right Side Up

Right Side Up is a collective of premium marketing talent, delivering impactful results without the agency overhead. We partner with leading brands, from early-stage ventures to Fortune 500 companies, to drive growth through innovative and strategic marketing solutions. Our client roster includes industry giants like Stitch Fix, Sephora, Yelp, Sun Basket, Crunchbase, DoorDash, and Calm.

About the Role

We are seeking a seasoned Associate Creative Director, Visual for a contract engagement to lead the visual direction and execution of marketing, product, events, and social initiatives for a key client. You will play a pivotal role in shaping and expanding the brand through compelling visual storytelling and strategic design leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead visual design and art direction across integrated campaigns, events, editorial, and social projects.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with writers, designers, motion artists, and strategists to develop cohesive creative concepts.
• Mentor and guide junior designers through feedback and reviews.
• Ensure consistency, quality, and attention to detail across all creative output.
• Present work to internal stakeholders and leadership with clarity and confidence.
• Help evolve and scale the brand's visual identity and design systems.
• Partner with producers and project managers to manage timelines and creative resources.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in design and art direction, including 3+ years in a creative leadership role.
• Strong portfolio showcasing success across branding, campaigns, product, and event design.
• Deep understanding of brand systems, visual storytelling, and cross-channel execution.
• Proven ability to mentor creative teams and thrive in a collaborative environment.
• Experience in product marketing and building visuals that clearly communicate complex product stories.

Bonus:

• Experience in financial services and/or in-product design.

Qualifications

Required:

• 7+ years of professional experience in design and art direction, including 3+ years in a creative leadership role.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating success across branding, campaigns, product, and event design.
• Comprehensive understanding of brand systems, visual storytelling principles, and cross-channel execution strategies.
• Proven ability to mentor creative teams and collaborate effectively within a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in product marketing and crafting visuals that effectively communicate complex product narratives.

Bonus:

• Prior experience in the financial services industry.
• Expertise in in-product design.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Visual Direction: Spearhead the visual design and art direction for integrated marketing campaigns, events, editorial content, and social media initiatives.
• Conceptual Development: Collaborate with writers, designers, motion artists, and strategists to develop cohesive creative concepts that align with brand objectives.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Provide guidance and feedback to junior designers, fostering their growth and development within the creative team.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure consistency, quality, and meticulous attention to detail across all creative deliverables.
• Presentation & Communication: Confidently present creative work to internal stakeholders and leadership, effectively articulating design rationale and vision.
• Brand Evolution: Contribute to the evolution and scaling of the brand's visual identity and design systems, maintaining brand consistency across all touchpoints.
• Project Management: Partner with producers and project managers to manage project timelines, allocate creative resources, and ensure timely delivery of projects.

Right Side Up: Associate Creative Director Selection Process

Application Review:

Qualified candidates will be reviewed based on their resume, cover letter, and portfolio.

Initial Screening:

Shortlisted candidates will participate in a 30-minute phone interview with a member of the Right Side Up team to discuss their experience, creative process, and interest in the role.

Creative Exercise:

Selected candidates will be invited to complete a brief creative exercise showcasing their visual design skills and ability to translate brand strategy into compelling visuals.

Portfolio Review & Interview:

Candidates will present their portfolio to the Right Side Up team, followed by a in-depth interview exploring their design philosophy, leadership style, and experience collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Final Interview:

Top candidates will participate in a final interview with key stakeholders, including the client, to discuss their vision for the project and how their skills align with the client's needs.

Decision & Offer:

Right Side Up will make a final decision based on the candidate's qualifications, portfolio, interview performance, and cultural fit. A formal offer will be extended to the selected candidate.

About Right Side Up

Right Side Up is a premium marketing collective, delivering exceptional results without the agency overhead. We partner with a diverse range of clients, from innovative startups like Stitch Fix and DoorDash to established giants like Sephora and Yelp.

Our mission is simple: growth. We leverage our deep marketing expertise and creative firepower to help brands achieve their ambitious goals.

At Right Side Up, we believe in fostering a collaborative and dynamic environment where talent thrives. We're passionate about pushing creative boundaries and delivering impactful solutions that make a real difference.