Executive Creative Director (ECD - Creative Agency)

Sparkloft Media is on the hunt for an Executive Creative Director (ECD) ready to lead our creative team based in Portland (OR) or Atlanta (GA). As an innovator and visionary with a growth mind-set, the ECD will play a pivotal role in sculpting the future of our full-service creative ensemble, which boasts a talented roster of designers, art directors, photographers, videographers, writers, editors, and motion specialists. Your mission? To empower your team, foster unparalleled creativity, and structure our capabilities to excel not just today, but well into the future.

The ideal candidate is someone who not only possesses a profound understanding of current creative and social trends but also has a proven track record of transforming strategic visions into impactful realities. You'll be at the heart of our most complex campaigns, ensuring they not only resonate with our audiences but also drive tangible results for our clients.

This role demands an individual who is as comfortable leading from the front as they are nurturing the talents of their team, ensuring that every piece of work not only sparks joy in the connection points between audiences and brands but also sets new benchmarks in creative excellence.

Please note that while we work in a hybrid work environment and we currently do not require team members to work from our office this position requires regular interactions with our team members as well as clients. As the majority of them reside in Portland (OR) and Atlanta (GA) we are only considering candidates who are currently living in or near either one of those cities.

About Us

Just as our name states, we spark ideas and ignite a passion for great storytelling. We are a team of connectors, collaborators, and creatives who see the value in both technology trends and the human experience. Our genesis is as a social-first agency, so we are experts at connecting with audiences at eye level in person and on social feeds. As we have evolved over the last 15 years, we have become community builders for brands to tell their stories through integrated campaigns. We understand our audiences as wholly realized people with lives, loves, and dreams — not just as segments in need of activating. Our staff is made up of diverse minds, backgrounds, and perspectives to drive positive change for our clients, communities, and team members.

We’ve created groundbreaking work for clients around the world like Travel Oregon, Coca-Cola, Tillamook, Delta Air Lines, Amazon, Intel, Warner Bros., and Adidas. 

 Job Responsibilities

• Empower and Lead: Foster a creative culture that empowers team members, encourages innovative thinking, and supports professional growth.
• Visionary Planning: Strategically plan and execute creative directions that align with our long-term goals, ensuring Sparkloft remains at the forefront of industry trends.
• Collaborative Excellence: Enhance ideation and strengthen relationships across all departments, ensuring a cohesive and innovative approach to client and internal projects.
• Mentorship: Play a crucial role in developing the next generation of creative leaders within Sparkloft, guiding them through mentorship and hands-on leadership.
• Strategic Creative Solutions: Collaborate with the strategy team and utilize in-depth insights to translate strategic directions and briefs into creative solutions that surpass client expectations and achieve high-caliber results.
• Cultivate Innovation: Champion a culture of curiosity and innovation, staying ahead of industry trends and integrating emerging technologies (e.g. Gen AI) into creative strategies.
• Support Agency Growth: Work alongside the Growth Team to support business development efforts including concepting and pitching 

Qualifications

• Experience: 10+ years in a creative leadership role, with significant leadership experience in agency settings or with large brands, specifically with a focus on digital, social media and earned media (PR).
• Portfolio: A robust, award-winning portfolio that showcases strategic thinking, visual design, and storytelling capabilities.
• Communication: Exceptional communication skills, capable of inspiring teams, selling creative concepts persuasively, and maintaining high-level client relationships.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead by example, foster a positive work environment, and encourage a culture of innovation and collaboration.
• Strategic Thinking: Expertise in branding, marketing, and advertising, with a track record of applying strategic insights to achieve impactful creative outcomes.
• Collaboration: Proven track record of working in an integrated way with other departments like strategy, business development, account teams or project management.

Requirements for all Sparkloft Media positions

• Care more: exceptional customer service skills
• Curiosity: a high level of interest in constantly learning new things
• Problem Solving: ability to identify and understand problems and willingness to solve them
• Spark Joy: a high level of awareness for the needs of colleagues, clients, and the Sparkloft Media business
• A global perspective and understanding of different cultures (ideally obtained through lots of travel)
• The absolute willingness to occasionally work nights, weekends, or holidays, as productions can occur at these times