Creative Director

Recess Studios is a leading multidisciplinary creative agency with offices in Portland, OR and New York City. We specialize in designing and constructing immersive experiences, enhancing global brands through innovative content and digital solutions, and engaging audiences with comprehensive 360-degree marketing strategies. Our team thrives in a collaborative environment that challenges the conventional, pushing creative boundaries to exceed client expectations.

Position Summary:

The Creative Director at Recess Studios is a seasoned expert in brand creative, blending strategic insight with visionary leadership to drive remarkable creative work for world-class brands. This role requires an inspiring leader who can elevate brand narratives through compelling creative strategies and executions. You will champion creativity within our agency, fostering an environment where creatives thrive and produce exceptional work that resonates with audiences and achieves client objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Foster cross-team collaboration to deeply understand client needs, ensuring creative solutions are aligned with strategic objectives and exceed client expectations.
• Lead and develop team members, nurturing their growth as creatives and empowering them to achieve their full potential within the agency.
• Facilitate creative brainstorming sessions to extract unique insights from strategists, fostering original and client-aligned ideation processes.
• Manage and mentor a dynamic team of creatives, emphasizing continuous growth and professional development through regular feedback, coaching, and skills enhancement initiatives.
• Partner closely with Client Services and Strategy teams to translate client briefs into actionable and innovative creative strategies that are both compelling and feasible for execution.
• Oversee day-to-day team management, including resource allocation, project prioritization, and workflow optimization to ensure efficiency and quality output.
• Demonstrate strong business acumen in decision-making processes, leveraging insights and industry trends to inform strategic creative direction and maximize project outcomes.
• Establish a culture of respect, collaboration, and excellence within the creative team, fostering an environment where creativity thrives and team members feel empowered to innovate.

Qualifications:

• 8 years of experience in a creative leadership role within a brand marketing agency or similar environment.
• Proven track record of successfully managing and mentoring creative teams, with a strong portfolio showcasing strategic creative development across digital, print, and experiential platforms.
• Expertise in design software and technologies relevant to media production, coupled with a keen eye for detail and quality.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively.
• Strategic thinker with a deep understanding of how creative strategies impact business outcomes, driving growth and brand loyalty.
• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Fine Arts, Marketing, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.

Benefits:

• Salary: $130,000 - $150,000
• Medical, dental & vision insurance
• Life Insurance
• Competitive company Holidays
• Flexible PTO
• WFH Flexibility
• 401K w/ Company match