Executive Creative Director

4 weeks ago

Chicago, United States Highwire Public Relations Full time
About us: Highwire is a modern strategic communications and digital marketing agency designed for disruptive companies. We work with high-growth technology companies and established brands looking to reinvent themselves.
At Highwire, we believe that storytelling fuels transformation. And the most impactful stories represent all voices and perspectives. As a values-driven agency, we foster an inclusive environment where everyone—regardless of age, race/ethnicity, size, shape, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and different abilities–can feel safe, celebrated and worthy.
We ensure every Highwire Walker has unique support to climb to success. Our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging is permanent and foundational to our business and culture. We aspire to change our industry and build a better future for all.
Our people-first culture is driven by four core values: Inclusion Always Growth Mindset Team Empowerment Fierce Distinction
We’re looking for individuals with big ideas, strong opinions, and the energy to bring them to life. If you thrive in an environment that values personal accountability, high standards, and boundless motivation, this is the opportunity for you. Be part of our award-winning culture and contribute to an exciting and growing business where you can make a real impact.
The Executive Creative Director (ECD) will be Highwire's creative leader and visionary, responsible for driving Highwire’s agency brand and creative direction for our clients and ensuring that our work sets new standards in innovation and storytelling. You will lead the conception and execution of high-impact campaigns that push boundaries, delivering bold, award-winning ideas that resonate deeply with our client’s target audiences. As a senior leader, you will oversee creative development across the agency, partnering with strategic communications, digital marketing, strategy, and content teams to ensure every piece of work is executed with excellence and creativity at its core.
The ECD will also play a key role in new business pitches, working closely with the strategy team to concept and present innovative, insight-driven ideas that win new business and showcase the agency’s unique value. You will shape Highwire’s creative vision, elevate the quality of work across clients and teams, and foster a collaborative and inspirational environment for creative talent. Key Responsibilities
  • Creative Vision & Leadership:
  • Serve as the creative leader and visionary, setting the standard for creative work across all client campaigns and initiatives.
  • Develop and drive the creative strategy that aligns with Highwire’s mission to deliver disruptive, high-impact storytelling.
  • Partner with senior leadership and the strategy team to ensure creative excellence is integrated into every aspect of our communications work, from ideation through execution.
  • Lead ideation sessions that push the boundaries of creative thinking, encouraging the team to develop bold, original concepts based on strategic insights.
  • Champion creative thinking far beyond your team. Lead by example and encourage all Highwire employees to push their work to new levels of creative excellence.
  • Stay at the forefront of creative trends, ensuring Highwire’s work remains innovative, impactful, and culturally relevant.

  • Campaign Development & Execution:
  • Oversee the conceptual development of creative campaigns, ensuring they meet client objectives and deliver compelling stories that break through the noise.
  • Lead the execution of big, integrated creative ideas that drive measurable results across paid, earned, shared, and owned channels.
  • Ensure all creative deliverables—from copy to visual assets—are of the highest quality and aligned with the client's strategic goals.
  • Partner with strategic communications, social, digital marketing, content, and strategy teams to integrate creative ideas into broader campaigns, resulting in a cohesive and consistent narrative.

  • New Business Pitch Concepting & Strategic Collaboration:
  • Lead creative concepts for new business pitches, developing innovative ideas that align with prospective clients’ objectives and push creative boundaries.
  • Work closely with the strategy team to ensure insight-driven creative concepts align with the client's broader business goals.
  • Collaborate with the business development team to create compelling creative strategies and presentations that differentiate Highwire from competitors.
  • Play a pivotal role in pitch presentations, showcasing the agency’s creative expertise and providing a clear vision for how creative solutions will drive client success.
  • Develop original creative concepts for pitches, leveraging deep insights from the strategy team to propose transformative, big-picture solutions.
  • Provide vital input to our delivery, operations, and leadership teams to ensure creative work is appropriately scoped, sequenced, and structured for faultless delivery to clients, with minimal stress on internal teams.

  • Team Leadership & Development:
  • Take a hands-on approach while building, leading, and mentoring a world-class creative team. Nurture creative talent and foster an environment that promotes bold thinking and collaboration.
  • Provide ongoing feedback and coaching to develop the team’s skills, ensuring continued growth and innovation within the creative department.
  • Champion a culture of inclusivity, creativity, and curiosity, where every team member feels empowered to contribute ideas and take risks.
  • Recruit top creative talent, ensuring the team continues to grow with individuals who are passionate, curious, and driven by the desire to produce transformative work.
  • Partner with our in-house creatives, designers, project managers, and producers to expand our capabilities and meet current and future client needs.
  • Leverage your professional network to introduce trusted contractors, vendors, and suppliers to Highwire, further expanding our capabilities.

  • Client Engagement & Business Growth:
  • Be the creative ambassador for Highwire, leading client engagements and presentations with a clear vision of how creativity can elevate their brand.
  • Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key clients, acting as a trusted creative partner and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
  • Collaborate with account and strategy teams to identify opportunities for creative innovation within existing client relationships, driving organic growth and expanding the scope of innovative services.
  • Play a key role in new business development, contributing creative ideas and strategies to pitch processes that win new clients and projects.

  • Creative Excellence & Innovation:
  • Set and maintain high standards for creative excellence across all client work, ensuring each project aligns with the agency’s creative vision and values.
  • Drive the creative use of technology, emerging media, and interactive experiences to create cutting-edge work that resonates with audiences.
  • Champion the importance of data-driven creativity, ensuring insights and research inform the creative process while leaving room for innovative risk-taking.
Qualifications
  • 15+ years of creative experience, with a proven track record in a senior creative leadership role within a top-tier agency or in-house team.
  • Exceptional portfolio of work showcasing creative ideas that have driven successful, high-impact campaigns across multiple channels.
  • Strong conceptual thinker is passionate about bold, transformative ideas that make a cultural impact.
  • Demonstrated experience leading large, integrated creative campaigns with a strong understanding of how strategic communications, digital, strategy, and content work intersect with creative.
  • Excellent leadership and team-building skills, with experience mentoring and inspiring creative talent.
  • Strong presentation skills, with the ability to articulate and sell creative concepts to clients and internal teams.
  • Proven experience leading new business pitches, from developing big ideas to presenting to prospective clients.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Deep understanding of creative trends, platforms, and emerging technologies, with the ability to apply them in meaningful ways for clients.
  • Demonstrable appreciation for the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion within creative work: Ensuring Highwire’s campaigns are appropriately tuned, optimized, or adapted for audiences of all types and backgrounds.
Highwire Perks
  • Competitive salary
  • Merit-based bonuses and promotions
  • Hybrid work model to suit your schedule and lifestyle
  • Excellent vacation policy including an extended break for summer and winter holiday
  • Participate in Empower Hours on Fridays; Team has the ability to log off by 3 pm
  • 401K Match
  • Medical and dental benefits/ FSA
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Commuter Benefit
  • Home office equipment stipend
  • Growth Mindset Stipend of $100 annually for books, exhibitions, etc.
  • Technology reimbursement
  • Wellness benefit
  • Donation Match
  • Full-time writing Coach
  • Mentorship
  • Monthly recognition programs
  • Employee referral bonus
  • New business referral bonus
  • Quarterly Highwire fun events – Thanksgiving is our favorite holiday
  • Dog-friendly work environment
  • Extremely supportive, nurturing environment with many opportunities for learning and growth
The duties delineated above will vary depending on the needs of each specific account, and in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. This individual will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisors.
We are actively seeking candidates who possess a genuine passion for tech PR and are excited to expand our team. As we continue to grow our agency, we are proactively building a pipeline of exceptional individuals to connect with and consider for future opportunities.

If you are enthusiastic about the world of tech PR and are eager to embark on a rewarding career in this field, we encourage you to start the conversation by applying today. We value your interest in our agency and look forward to hearing from you.

Apply now and let's explore the possibilities together

#J-18808-Ljbffr

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