Creative Director

Creative Director

Status: Full-time, Exempt (with benefits)
Location: Southfield, MI


Creative Leadership With Purpose

This is an opportunity to shape how people experience the Make-A-Wish mission, from a family's story and a donor campaign to a signature event that inspires a room to act. You will bring strategy, imagination, and disciplined execution together to create meaningful emotional connection and measurable engagement.

About Make-A-Wish Michigan

At Make-A-Wish Michigan, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses-wishes that bring hope, strength, and joy when families need it most. Founded in 1984, our work is driven by compassion, creativity, and the belief that a single wish can be a powerful turning point.

Together with our staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners, we are united by one purpose: to make the impossible possible, one wish at a time. We are committed to a workplace where diverse perspectives are valued and every team member feels respected, supported, and connected to our mission.

The Opportunity

The Creative Director leads the creative vision and storytelling strategy for Make-A-Wish Michigan. You will transform wish stories, fundraising initiatives, campaigns, and events into compelling experiences and communications that strengthen brand awareness, deepen engagement, and inspire action.

Working across the organization, you will develop innovative concepts that bring the mission to life through immersive experiences, strategic storytelling, visual communications, donor engagement initiatives, and signature events. As the organization's creative leader, you will ensure creative work is distinctive, emotionally resonant, and aligned with brand standards.

What You Will Lead

Creative Strategy & Brand Leadership
• Lead the creative vision for organizational campaigns, fundraising initiatives, mission storytelling, and engagement efforts.
• Develop original concepts and creative frameworks that strengthen brand awareness, trust, and community engagement.
• Create consistency across events, campaigns, donor communications, wish storytelling, and organizational initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to elevate the brand experience and deepen emotional connection with key audiences.
• Serve as a strategic creative partner to executive leadership and cross-functional teams.

Event Experience Design
• Lead the creative development of signature fundraising events, donor experiences, and mission-focused experiences.
• Translate event themes into integrated experiences that combine storytelling, visual direction, audience engagement, physical design concepts, and memorable experiential moments.
• Develop creative briefs, concept presentations, mood boards, and experience frameworks that guide execution.
• Partner with event leadership so creative concepts advance fundraising, stewardship, and engagement objectives.

Storytelling & Campaign Development
• Develop creative approaches that communicate the impact, urgency, and transformational nature of the Make-A-Wish mission.
• Partner with Mission, Development, Outreach, and Executive leadership to identify and elevate meaningful stories.
• Build storytelling frameworks for fundraising campaigns, donor engagement, corporate partnerships, and community awareness.
• Ensure stories are communicated in authentic, compelling, and mission-centered ways.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Execution
• Collaborate with Development, Mission, Outreach, Events, Operations, and Executive leadership to support organizational goals.
• Translate ideas generated through collaborative planning into actionable creative concepts and implementation plans.
• Support board, executive, and strategic initiatives through creative communications and experience design.

The responsibilities above describe the essential functions of the role and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties.

What You Bring

Required qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Creative Strategy, Design, Event Production, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered.
• At least seven years of progressive experience in creative leadership, brand management, experiential marketing, communications, event design, agency leadership, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success developing creative concepts, campaigns, events, or experiences that drive audience engagement and emotional connection.
• Experience leading creative projects from concept development through implementation.
• Experience managing staff, contractors, or external creative partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Commitment to the mission and values of Make-A-Wish Michigan.

Preferred qualifications

These qualifications would enhance success in the role but are not required. Candidates who meet most of the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.
• Experience in nonprofit fundraising, donor engagement, or mission-driven organizations.
• Experience designing large-scale events, immersive experiences, or experiential marketing initiatives.
• Experience working with creative production teams, including photography, videography, graphic design, and digital content development.
• Familiarity with Make-A-Wish America brand standards and nonprofit storytelling best practices.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Creative Vision and Innovation
• Storytelling
• Collaboration and Relationship Building
• Project Management
• Communications and Presentation
• Leadership
• Adaptability and Problem Solving
• Brand Stewardship

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This role primarily operates in a professional office environment and requires regular use of computers, phones, and office equipment. The position may require:
• Extended periods of sitting or computer use.
• Occasional lifting of materials up to 20 pounds.
• Occasional travel to events, partner locations, or wish-related activities.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Benefits

Make-A-Wish Michigan offers a competitive benefits package designed to support the wellbeing of employees and their families. Benefits may include:
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Employee assistance programs.

Benefit offerings are subject to change and eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Make-A-Wish Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Accommodation Statement

Applicants who require reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process should contact the Human Resources department.

Disclaimer

This posting is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the role. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.