Creative Director (Art), Energy Sector

About the role

What’s the most urgent global conversation today? Energy. How we power our homes, cities, cars—and our increasingly AI-driven lives—isn’t just a policy issue, it’s a human one. At ICF Next, we help utilities, public agencies, and clean energy pioneers move millions toward more sustainable choices. We’re looking for a Creative Director to help lead that charge. You’ll take on a set of marquee client portfolios—developing campaigns that shape public understanding of energy, electrification, and resilience. This is high-stakes, high-impact work, and it demands big ideas, sharp instincts, and bold leadership. You’re not just a maker—you’re a leader with vision. A visual major with an art direction background, you understand how images, type, structure, and pacing work together to tell a compelling story. Professionally, you may come from art direction—but you think like a storyteller. You understand how visuals and words work together to move people. You see the story arc in everything, and you know when to lead with imagery, when to lean into language, and how to shape both for clarity and impact. You elevate creative. You rally teams. You sell ideas with clarity and conviction. You thrive under pressure and adapt fast—because you know change is constant, and that’s where the opportunity lives.

Responsibilities

• Lead creative for top-tier energy accounts, translating briefs into breakthrough ideas
• Develop multi-channel campaigns—digital, social, video, experiential, and earned
• Mentor and direct creative teams toward high-impact execution
• Present work persuasively to internal and external stakeholders
• Operate with urgency, quality, and focus across simultaneous workstreams
• Bring a growth mindset—adapting to tech, tools, platforms, and shifting priorities
• Help shape a culture of creative excellence and collaboration

Requirements

12+ years of creative experience (agency or studio), including senior-level leadership; a portfolio that showcases standout conceptual and executional work; based in the Philadelphia or New Jersey area for select accounts (strong local market knowledge).

Qualifications

• Experience in energy, sustainability, or behavior-change campaigns (preferred)
• Fluency in emerging creative tech, including AI-supported workflows
• Strong strategic thinking and communication skills
• Comfort leading in dynamic, high-pressure environments
• A reputation for being collaborative, sharp, and easy to follow
• Visionary thinking grounded in strategy
• Ability to inspire, teach, and bring people with you
• Confidence in selling bold ideas
• Agility in the face of change
• Passion for the craft—design, storytelling, and everything in between
• Drive to lead with excellence, empathy, and urgency

Pay

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is: $131,256.00 - $223,134.00 Nationwide Remote Office (US99).