Executive Creative Director, North America (San Francisco)

Executive Creative Director, North America

Full-time

Recruitment type: Permanent

Compensation: USD 228,000 - USD 301,000 - yearly

Join the team redefining how the world experiences design.

Thanks for stopping by. We know job hunting can be a little time consuming and you're probably keen to find out what's on offer, so we'll get straight to the point.

Where and how you can work

This role is based in Sydney or San Francisco, California, and we’re looking for someone who calls it home. Our hybrid way of working gives you the flexibility to work remotely, and to come together on campus for meaningful in‑person collaboration and connection when it matters most. We trust our Canvanauts to choose the balance that empowers them and their team to achieve their goals.

What you’d be doing in this role

As Canva scales change continues to be part of our DNA. But we like to think that’s all part of the fun. So this will give you the flavour of the type of things you’ll be working on when you start, but this will likely evolve.

Canva is a world‑leading design platform that empowers millions of people to design anything and publish anywhere. Our mission is to empower the world to design—and we're looking for a visionary creative leader to drive our advertising excellence across the US market.

Position Overview

Reporting to the North America CMO, this role combines strategic creative direction in our largest market. As Executive Creative Director, you’ll lead the creative direction and execution of our advertising efforts across North America. You’ll shape campaigns that are brave, insight‑led, rooted in local storytelling and crafted for impact across TV, digital, social, performance, and emerging platforms. You’ll work closely with in‑house teams and agency partners to deliver creative that builds brand love, drives growth, and reflects our distinctive voice in‑market.

We’re looking for a creative powerhouse with deep advertising and storytelling expertise, and a passion for growing both people and ideas. This role blends strategic vision with hands‑on craft, and calls for someone who can inspire teams while delivering work that drives real results.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape a brand with big ambitions.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership and Development

Build and lead a high‑performing creative team across the US, Australia and Manila

Create a culture and conditions where people feel safe to take risks, grow, and do their best work

Provide mentorship and creative guidance to regional creative teams

Champion inclusion, collaboration, and regional empowerment across Canva’s global creative teams

Lead the creative direction for Canva’s advertising and content in the US, our largest and most strategic market

Oversee the development and execution of world‑class creative at every level of integrated campaigns: TV, digital, social, OOH, and performance channels

Create bold, culturally relevant campaigns that connect with audiences and drive growth

Build and manage an always‑on creative capability that enables rapid testing, iteration, and optimization at scale

Embed insights, trends, and data into creative work to increase impact

Manage in‑house teams and agency partners to deliver high‑quality execution

Develop and maintain creative standards and frameworks for advertising and content

Partner with regional creative teams to share toolkits, frameworks, and fresh ideas

Facilitate creative reviews and provide hands‑on guidance where needed

Foster continuous learning, mentorship, and collaboration across regions to build a culture of feedback, growth, and creative excellence.

Brand and Campaign Excellence

Raise the bar on storytelling and design to help Canva stand out in a competitive market

Shape messaging and creative platforms that resonate locally and stay aligned globally

Encourage experimentation and learning from what works (and what doesn’t)

Drive innovation across formats and platforms, from traditional media to emerging channels

Agency and Production Management

Manage US creative resourcing across in‑house, agency, and specialist partners

Shape and evolve our global agency partner model to enable seamless collaboration and top‑tier execution

Work closely with central ops to scale creative systems while maintaining quality and speed

Cross‑functional Partnership

Collaborate closely with marketing, growth, and product leaders in the US and globally

Translate business goals into creative strategies that deliver results

Align global and regional teams to ensure consistency without losing local nuance

Required Experience & Qualifications

Professional Experience

12+ years in senior creative leadership roles, across both agency and in‑house

Proven success leading major advertising campaigns in the US

Experience mentoring and managing creative teams across multiple markets

Strong understanding of consumer tech or direct‑to‑consumer brands

Expertise across brand and performance creative, across digital and traditional channels

Skills & Attributes

A standout portfolio that shows excellence in storytelling and advertising craft

Strategic mindset with the ability to connect creative ideas to business impact

Empathetic mentor with a collaborative, people‑first approach

Confident communicator and presenter, comfortable influencing at all levels

Thrives in fast‑paced, global environments

Culturally aware and globally minded, with a passion for creating resonant work across markets

Our Values & Culture

At Canva, we believe success and impact go hand in hand. Our two‑step plan is simple: first, build one of the most valuable companies in the world, and then use that success to do the most good we can. From free access for nonprofits and schools to volunteering and global partnerships, we’re driven by empowerment at every level.

We’re building a culture that’s inclusive, collaborative, and deeply ambitious, a place where creative people are encouraged to take risks, push boundaries, and grow together. If you’re excited by the idea of shaping a brand with real purpose, surrounded by curious, creative people who are genuinely in it together, you’ll feel right at home here.

What's in it for you?

Achieving our crazy big goals motivates us to work hard - and we do - but you'll experience lots of moments of magic, connectivity and fun woven throughout life at Canva, too. We also offer a stack of benefits to set you up for every success in and outside of work. Here's a taste of what's on offer:

Equity packages - we want our success to be yours too

Inclusive parental leave policy that supports all parents & carers

An annual Vibe & Thrive allowance to support your wellbeing, social connection, office setup & more

Flexible leave options that empower you to be a force for good, take time to recharge and supports you personally

Fitness membership

In‑house chef

Relocation budget for overseas candidates

Check out lifeatcanva.com for more info.

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