Sr. Director, Creative Strategy & Services - Atlanta, GA

At Cortland, we operate with a forward-thinking approach that challenges conventional norms and actively seeks insights beyond traditional industry boundaries. As a recognized leader in the multifamily sector, our focus on performance, innovation, and disciplined execution continues to drive strong growth and market leadership. We are committed to building a best-in-class organization by empowering top talent with the resources, autonomy, and support needed to deliver results and advance their careers in a high-performance environment.

Role Overview

As the Sr. Director of Creative Strategy & Services, you will lead and evolve Cortland's brand expression across all touchpoints—shaping how residents and prospects experience our brand at every stage of their journey. This role blends creative vision, brand strategy, and operational excellence to deliver high-impact, scalable creative solutions that align with business priorities. Reporting to the CMO, you will own the brand creative strategy, direction and the in-house creative team — ensuring all expressions of Cortland are cohesive, emotionally resonant, and differentiated in the market.

Set Enterprise Brand Creative Strategy

• Define and execute a cohesive, enterprise-wide creative and brand strategy aligned with growth objectives
• Establish and evolve brand identity and visual systems across markets
• Translate business priorities into compelling creative solutions that drive demand
• Develop scalable brand standards and toolkits to ensure consistency

Lead Creative Execution

• Own creative direction across digital, social, print, video, and experiential channels
• Drive integrated storytelling across owned and paid media
• Guide content creation from concept through delivery with high standards
• Ensure strong and differentiated brand expression
• Direct the creative strategy across all owned and paid media as well as internal and external presentations.

Advance Technology, Analytics & Innovation

• Optimize creative operations, workflows, and production processes
• Lead the creative strategy and integration of AI and emerging tools to scale content and personalization
• Leverage performance data to refine creative effectiveness
• Partner with technology teams to align platforms and tools
• Foster innovation and leverage trends in creative technology, consumer experience design, and digital storytelling

Partner Across the Enterprise

• Collaborate with Community Marketing, Marketing Technology, Communications, Brand Strategy & Experience, HR, Investments and Operations leaders
• Partner with performance marketing to align brand and demand efforts
• Serve as a strategic advisor translating insights into creative direction

Deliver Experiential, Video & Content Excellence

• Oversee video production from concept through post-production
• Lead experiential and event creative for cohesive brand experiences
• Guide storytelling across formats to maximize engagement

Build & Lead High-Performing Teams

• Build and develop a high-performing in-house creative team
• Establish performance standards and operating rhythms
• Foster a culture of creativity, accountability, and innovation
• Manage agencies and external partners

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Marketing, Advertising, or related field
• 10+ years of creative, design or brand leadership experience
• Experience in consumer-facing industries (hospitality, retail, lifestyle preferred)
• Proven ability to build and scale creative teams
• Strong portfolio demonstrating brand systems and campaigns
• Experience with AI and emerging creative technologies
• Strong storytelling and communication skills
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders in a fast-paced environment

About Cortland

Founded in 2005, Cortland is an international, vertically integrated multifamily real estate investment, development, and management firm with a resident-centric approach to living experiences. Recognized as one of the top 10 multifamily owners and operators in the US, Cortland combines in-house design, construction, and operations to deliver value and innovation across its portfolio.

Join us as we reimagine apartment living and drive outsized returns through purpose, performance, and people.

Cortland is an equal opportunity employer, and we're proud to support and celebrate diversity in the workplace. We are committed to equal consideration for all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you have a disability and need an accommodation or assistance with the application process and/or using our website, please email View email address on workus.org

Cortland is a drug-free workplace.

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