Associate Creative Director

Who is Frankel? Frankel is a full-service strategic communications firm based in Gainesville, FL, specializing in branding, marketing, and digital strategy. We help organizations connect with their audiences through thoughtful strategy, sharp creative, and measurable results - whether that's a million-dollar budget or a gumball and a paperclip. We partner with clients across financial services, higher education, healthcare, professional services, and more, and we're looking for people who love a good challenge as much as we do. Who We Need If you're a big thinker, strong writer, and natural creative leader who can turn a strategic brief into an idea people actually remember, this role is for you. The Associate Creative Director (Copy) is responsible for developing and leading creative concepts, campaigns, and messaging across Frankel's client portfolio. This role combines exceptional writing and conceptual thinking with creative leadership, helping shape the strategic and creative direction of work from the initial idea through final execution. The ACD (Copy) works closely with the Creative Director, account teams, strategists, and other creative team members to develop integrated work that is strategically sound, creatively strong, and right for the client. This person is both a creator and a leader - someone who can write the headline, pitch the idea, give thoughtful feedback, and help make the entire team better. The ideal candidate is an experienced copywriter with a strong portfolio, excellent conceptual skills, and the confidence to lead creative work without bringing a big ego along with them. They should be comfortable moving between big-picture campaign thinking and hands-on execution in a fast-paced agency environment. Job Title: Associate Creative Director - Copy Department: Creative Reports To: Creative Director Location: Gainesville, FL (Hybrid) or Remote in Select States Employment Type: Full-Time NOTE: Only USA-based candidates will be considered for this position. Frankel is unable to provide sponsorship at this time. If based in Gainesville, this hybrid role requires being in the office from Tuesday through Thursday, and Monday and Friday are remote days. We are open to remote candidates. Responsibilities Creative Leadership Partner with the Creative Director to develop the creative vision and direction for client work Lead the copy and messaging direction for integrated campaigns, brand initiatives, digital experiences, and other creative projects Translate strategic briefs and client objectives into compelling creative concepts Help set the creative standard for work across assigned accounts Present creative concepts and recommendations to clients and internal stakeholders Provide clear, constructive feedback to copywriters and other creative team members Mentor and develop junior and mid-level creative talent Copy & Concepting Develop big ideas, campaign concepts, messaging platforms, taglines, headlines, scripts, and other creative concepts Write and edit high-quality copy across digital, print, social, video, email, web, and other channels Turn complex ideas into clear, engaging, and memorable messaging Maintain a strong understanding of brand voice and ensure consistency across deliverables Review and refine copy throughout the creative process, from initial concept through final production Know when a piece needs more work, when it's ready to go, and when to push the idea further Client & Team Collaboration Work closely with Account Services, Strategy, Design, Digital, Web, and other teams to develop integrated solutions Participate in client meetings, creative reviews, brainstorms, and presentations Collaborate with designers to ensure copy and visual concepts work together as one idea Help translate client feedback into actionable creative direction Build strong working relationships with clients and internal partners Creative Quality Ensure creative work meets Frankel's standards for strategy, originality, clarity, and execution Proofread and edit work for accuracy, grammar, tone, and consistency Identify opportunities to make work smarter, more effective, and more engaging Stay current on advertising, communications, cultural, and creative trends Understand how emerging technologies, including AI, can improve creative development and execution General Manage multiple projects and priorities while meeting deadlines Maintain organized files, documentation, and creative processes Participate in agency brainstorms, pitches, and new business opportunities Contribute to the evolution of Frankel's creative product and culture Perform other duties as assigned Requirements 10-15+ years of professional copywriting experience, preferably within an advertising, marketing, communications, or agency environment Proven experience developing and leading creative concepts and campaigns Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills Strong portfolio demonstrating conceptual thinking and high-quality copy across multiple mediums Experience presenting creative work to clients and internal stakeholders Demonstrated ability to give and receive thoughtful, constructive creative feedback Experience mentoring or managing other creative team members Strong understanding of brand strategy, messaging, and integrated marketing Excellent verbal and written communication skills Strong organizational and time management skills Ability to manage multiple accounts, projects, and deadlines simultaneously Comfortable working collaboratively across departments Bachelor's degree in Advertising, Communications, English, Marketing, or a related field preferred We’re serious about the work, not about ego. Kindness and collaboration are non-negotiable here. Bonus points if: You have experience in higher education, healthcare, financial services, or professional services You have experience developing brand voice and messaging systems You have experience writing for video, social, digital campaigns, and emerging platforms You have experience with UX writing or content strategy You are confident integrating AI into your creative workflow while maintaining quality and originality You have experience working on pitches and new business presentations You have direct team management experience or line management experience, including hiring, coaching, developing, and managing the performance of creative team members You have experience managing client relationships, accounts, or day-to-day client partnerships You have experience selling creative work - including pitching creative concepts, capabilities, or agency services to prospective or existing clients Why Frankel? Agency life shouldn't take over your life. Beyond the day-to-day, here's what you can expect as part of the team: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, with Frankel contributing toward the cost of your plan 401(k) with a match, eligible after your first work anniversary 15 days of PTO in year one, moving to our flexible Responsible Time Off plan after that Holiday Break Days in November and December Paid parental leave and a free Employee Assistance Program A hybrid, collaborative culture with an open-door policy - we want to hear your ideas, not just your deliverables Compensation & Pay Transparency In compliance with applicable pay transparency laws, Frankel includes the expected salary range for this role. Actual compensation will depend on factors like experience, skills, and internal equity. All full-time employees are eligible for our full benefits package, including medical/dental/vision coverage, 401(k) matching, paid parental leave, generous PTO, and more. The salary range for this position is $80,000–$120,000 annually, depending on skills, experience, and qualifications. We Are Stoked, Pumped & Jazzed ...to see your application. If this job sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you. #J-18808-Ljbffr