Freelance Associate Director - Creative

About the Position

Freelance Associate Director - Creative

US - Remote

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WHY DEPT®?

We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA.

We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter.

At DEPT®, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build.

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Responsibilities

• Lead the visual evolution of brands. Oversee the art direction for pitches and flagship projects, ensuring all work meets a world-class standard of design, typography, and composition.
• Guide a team of junior to mid-level Art Directors and Designers. Provide specific, craft-based feedback that pushes their work further while helping them develop their own visual voices.
• Take ownership of the visual narrative across multi-channel campaigns. Lead the aesthetic side of "the big idea," ensuring a cohesive look and feel across film, digital, social, and physical experiences.
• Lead the visual side of production, from selecting photographers and directors to overseeing color grading, retouching, and motion design, ensuring the final product matches the original creative vision.
• Act as the visual authority in client meetings. Present design systems and art direction with passion and clarity, helping clients understand the strategic "why" behind visual choices.
• Partner with Creative leadership to evolve design workflows, establish quality standards, and identify new tools or AI-driven technologies to keep the team’s craft future-ready.
• Foster an inclusive, design-forward culture that encourages experimentation, shared learning, and a relentless pursuit of visual excellence.

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Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in art direction or design within a creative agency or high-growth brand environment or related field.
• Showcasing a mastery of art direction, layout, typography, and integrated visual storytelling across various platforms.
• Experience leading small teams or overseeing the work of freelancers and junior creatives.
• Expert-level knowledge of Figma, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.), motion design, or AI image generation.
• The ability to ensure that every visual choice, from color palette to casting, serves the client’s business goals and brand identity.
• The ability to articulate complex visual concepts to non-visual stakeholders and clients.

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We Offer

• Competitive salary range: $90 - $110 USD (based on experience, expertise, physical location, and organizational impact).
• Flexible work arrangement: Remote work options.
• Supportive and inclusive workplace: DEPT® is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and a B Corp-certified company passionate about purpose-driven work.

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About the Company

DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention across Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data. We’re 50|50 tech and marketing, partner-led, and first to move. Clients include Google, Lufthansa, Coach, eBay, and OpenAI.

Learn more about DEPT® here.

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DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.

We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.