Associate Creative Director

We are partnering with a leading in-house creative agency that is looking for a concept-first Associate Creative Director, Art to help shape bold, culture-driving ideas across a portfolio of iconic beverage and food brands. The ACD (Art) will lead visual concepting and help craft bold, disruptive creative and experiential ideas that stand out in culture, not just pretty executions.

We're seeking a big-picture visual thinker who builds brand worlds, develops disruptive visual platforms, and translates strategy into breakthrough creative that shows up powerfully across touchpoints.

This role operates at a high level of visibility across multiple brands, partnering directly with senior brand leadership. Beyond delivering standout creative, this person must help position the in-house agency as a strategic, world-class creative partner building trust, driving demand, and elevating the perception of the work across the organization.

Layouts and production oversight are table stakes. Insight-led, provocative, platform-building visual ideas are the differentiator.

The ideal candidate thinks beyond assets and campaigns, developing scalable visual systems, experiential concepts, cultural activations, and integrated marketing moments that earn attention and drive brand growth.

This role requires you to work onsite in SoHo Mondays and Thursdays and be available to come onsite for pitch presentations. The rest of the week you can work from any coffee shop or living room that makes you feel the most creative!

Key responsibilities

• Lead visual concept development from insight to execution across film, social, experiential, OOH and activation work.
• Generate highimpact, mediaagnostic ideas that are PR-able and culturally resonant.
• Collaborate with writers, producers and strategy to turn concepts into pitchable work and client presentations.
• Jam in person with cross-functional teams; present work live to internal stakeholders and, when needed, to clients.
• Mentor designers/ADs and help refine visual storytelling across touchpoints.

Must-have

• Mid-senior experience (ACD/Art Director level) from agency or equivalent creative environments.
• Strong portfolio showing clear visual authorship and conceptual thinking-small-budget or spec work that demonstrates you "did a lot with a little."
• Comfort presenting work live; able to be in NYC for presentations and collaborative sessions.
• Media-agnostic sensibility and curiosity about culture and trends.

Nice-to-have

• Experience with experiential/sports activations or PR-driven creative.
• Proven ability to lead cross-discipline teams and mentor junior creatives.
• Familiarity with CPG a plus but not required.

**About Aquent Talent:**

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. More information on our awesome benefits!

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.