Creative Director

Meet the studio

We build brands with intent. From our studios in London, New York, Singapore and Shanghai, we partner with the world's most ambitious companies to create brands that are more meaningful, more memorable, and built to move faster than the market. Our studio sits in the middle of one of the world's most creatively charged cities. It's a place where culture moves fast, expectations are high, and the best work gets made by people who thrive on that energy. From healthcare to CPG, finance to FMCG, the NYC team works across a diverse and ambitious client roster, tackling briefs that demand both creative daring and strategic clarity.

We are part of the MSQ network and a certified B Corp, a next-generation creative and tech company. Enabled by data, amplified by technology and differentiated by creativity. A collective of agencies joined up by a thinking and doing culture, giving our clients access to a whole universe of expertise with joined-up ease.

Why this role matters

This is a senior creative leadership role at the heart of Elmwood's New York studio, guiding the creative vision across a portfolio of global Tier 1 brands, bridging strategy with exceptional craft, and inspiring a team of talented designers to deliver work that is both creatively brilliant and commercially effective.

Requirements

• People & Team: Lead, inspire and develop a team of Designers[KW1], setting clear expectations and providing regular coaching and development support throughout the year

• Take an active role in recruitment, identifying the best creative talent to grow and strengthen the studio

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive studio culture where creativity thrives, and team members feel engaged, challenged and celebrated

The Craft

• Guide the creative vision across your brands, acting as custodian of creative excellence, ensuring all output aligns with strategic business objectives and reflects our highest ambitions

• Translate complex creative strategies into clear, compelling narratives, leveraging expert craft and storytelling to inspire teams, clients and audiences

• Collaborate closely with Client Services and Strategy as a unified triumvirate, defining the creative vision and ensuring a cohesive brand experience grounded in clear intent

• Drive innovation within the creative team, fostering new ideas, methodologies and design approaches, and pushing boundaries through experimentation with new techniques and media

• Leverage deep expertise in consumer and market insights to shape the creative direction of each brand's overarching vision, ensuring alignment with industry shifts and future brand objectives

Growth

• Set the vision that balances creative ambition with operational excellence, strategically allocating resources to deliver innovative, high-impact solutions that drive key business objectives

• Embody Elmwood's brand and value, leading by example to nurture a dynamic studio culture and elevate the agency's reputation within the global design community

• Spearhead impactful case studies, lead major award submissions, and represent Elmwood in industry forums, amplifying the agency's voice through thought leadership and a strategic social media presence

What You Know And Bring

• The knowledge you'll need: Building on a distinguished career as an Associate Creative Director or Senior Design Director, now ready to lead the creative vision across a key pillar or major global account, championing bold leadership and setting the benchmark for creative excellence

• Deep expertise in steering established global brands and ambitious challengers, guiding the entire creative journey from strategic intent through to transformative delivery across every touchpoint

• Mastery of print, production, AI, and digital motion as creative pillars, able to define visionary direction and inspire multidisciplinary teams on complex, high-stakes projects

Benefits

• Responsible Paid Time Off (RPTO)

• 12 paid holidays

• 5 paid sick days

• 2 paid personal days

• A comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plan (including family coverage)

• Life and disability insurance

• Flexible spending account for medical expenses

• Commuter benefits program

• 401k Plan with company matching up to 4.5%, employees start receiving matching contributions after three months of employment