Associate Creative Director

GPJ is hiring an Associate Creative Director to help lead creative ideation and innovative thinking for experiential marketing campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Lead creative ideation and innovative thinking while mentoring the creative team through inclusivity and collaboration
• Conceptualize captivating multi-touch experiences aligned to clients’ unique brands
• Partner closely with the Creative Lead on a given account to bring their vision to life across projects
• Manage work and the project team while actively engaging in the creative process to bring ideas to fruition
• Provide day-to-day supervision of one to two team members
• Travel to shows domestically and internationally (approximately 15% of responsibilities)
• Participate in new business development , including the pitch process
• Contribute to creative and agency culture by inspiring teams to do their best work
• Translate clients’ brands into thoughtful, compelling, interactive experiences; set high standards by leading new thinking and techniques
• Understand creative disciplines and collaborate with creative leadership on high-quality, strategic presentations that exceed client expectations using copywriting, sketches, renders, mock-ups, and presentations
• Develop and inspire inventive, thoughtful, on-brand work through a hands‑on mentorship approach
• Manage workload and hit tight deadlines
• Join planning and strategy sessions; lead the project creative design team on assigned projects, oversee designers’ work, and ensure consistent, highest-quality execution
• Work with Creative Directors to execute strategic design solutions
• Apply thoughtful design decisions with awareness of business impact; deliver multiple concepts and solutions to meet client objectives
• Build personal client relationships, inspire trust, and manage expectations
• Identify new projects and opportunities with existing clients; support new business and client presentations as an integral team member
• Collaborate with IP , graphics production, fabrication, and creative tech to resolve design and budget challenges while protecting design and brand integrity
• Manage design, development, and implementation of all event‑related creative supporting defined look and feel and brand objectives
• Assess the creative team’s bandwidth and recommend additional resources when needed
• Provide clear creative direction at project initiation and coach creative team members (and account teams), while monitoring and guiding efforts to drive successful outcomes
• Create a thoughtful, engaging guest journey for all projects
• Maintain project budgets and track allocated hours to support profitability for the creative team, in partnership with Creative Project Managers and Account Teams
• Assist in the education and development of designers
• Lead new idea development and creative design solutions supported by sound strategic rationale across multiple brands and initiatives
• Support account‑based creative teams alongside strategy, production, and accounts
• Create sketches, mood boards, layouts, 2D and 3D renders, deck design/templates, presentation/content structure, and POS materials
• Partner with clients and senior team members across departments to elevate brand significance and performance
• Advocate for brand and identity standards by knowing when to adhere closely and when to recommend more creative approaches
• Present work clearly and compellingly to internal and external partners
• Communicate by example the mechanics and attributes of team strategy and accountability
• Work directly with Production to vet ideas and confirm feasibility within budgets; adjust work when needed to maintain strategic integrity within client restrictions

Requirements

• Minimum four-year degree in Design, Advertising, Theater, or a related creative discipline
• Minimum 7 years of industry experience or related creative process experience combining strategy, content, message, and creative deliverables
• Event and Experience Design expertise desirable
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills required
• Ability to lead, motivate, and inspire the creative team while keeping the creative process aligned with GPJ business goals and objectives
• Mastery of Adobe Creative Suite and Google Suite
• Commitment to learning new software and tracking emerging trends, including AI‑based tools (Firefly, Gemini, etc.)
• Solutions‑oriented mindset focused on strategically solving challenges
• Proven track record leading successful creative teams and delivering high‑impact design solutions for experiential marketing campaigns
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to articulate concepts, provide constructive feedback, and inspire teams
• Strong strategic thinking and problem‑solving skills with understanding of brand strategy, consumer behavior, and market trends
• Work with the Creative Director to develop a project roadmap
• Ability to travel 25%
• Ability to work irregular hours including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed

Technologies

• Adobe Creative Suite
• Google Suite
• Firefly
• Gemini

Benefits

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan ( ESOP ) providing an ownership interest
• FTO policy (no more “accruing” time off)
• Employer matching 401(k) plan (no vesting period)
• Low employee contribution healthcare option

Travel & Mobility

• Ability to travel 25%
• Ability to work irregular hours including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed

Your Competencies

• Urgency : decisive, responsive, fast acting; adaptable under pressure without sacrificing quality
• Communication : conveys and sells ideas clearly; brief articulation during brainstorms or client presentations
• Creative Innovation : idea-driven, big-picture thinking
• Flexible : moves to new tasks with little to no notice
• Prioritization/Organization : allocates time and resources to complete work within timeframe and budget; manages resources (full-time and freelance) effectively

Salary Range

Salary is dependent on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) experience, skills, and location.

Opportunity Details

• Location: Boston, MA (hybrid)
• Hybrid requirement: report on‑site to the Boston office minimum 2 days per week