Associate Creative Director, Art

Penta Group is the world's first comprehensive stakeholder solutions firm. Penta provides data-driven solutions for stakeholder strategy and engagement. We combine analytics and research with deep expertise to deliver actionable insights, best practice solutions, and drive measurable impact for our clients.

At Penta, we work with clients solving complex global challenges across a variety of industries. Our clients span technology, financial services, energy, healthcare, and more. Our team brings decades of experience in business, government, communications, research, technology, and media. Penta comprises over 200 professionals in New York, London, Washington, DC, and San Francisco working to bring data-driven, tailored solutions to more than 200 clients.

Penta Brand Strategy is the firm's in-house creative agency. Penta Brand Strategy blends the firm's hallmark analytical and communications expertise with storytelling, design, and technology to help clients increase the accessibility, reach, and emotional resonance of their ideas. We work across the firm's client portfolio, developing creative solutions and campaign concepts that have the power to shape perspectives and inspire action on the issues that matter most.

Position Summary: 

The Brand Strategy team at Penta is seeking a talented and experienced Associate Creative Director with a focus on art direction and design to join our dynamic team. Working under the guidance of the Creative Director, this role involves leading and managing the visual aspects of creative projects, providing strategic direction, and ensuring that all creative outputs are aligned with client goals, brand strategy, and brand guidelines. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in art direction and design, with the ability to inspire and mentor junior creatives while collaborating closely with copywriters, video editors, and other creative professionals.

Responsibilities:

- Lead the conceptualization and execution of visually compelling creative solutions that meet client objectives and are consistent with a brand’s identity, under the guidance of the Creative Director

- Provide art direction and design leadership across multiple projects, ensuring high-quality deliverables that are on time and within budget

- Collaborate with the Creative Director and other team members to develop and refine creative conceptual work that drives the overall brand strategy

- Oversee the development of creative visual concepts, including art direction, layouts, typography, color schemes, videos, websites, and overall aesthetics

- Mentor and guide junior creatives from designers to writers, fostering a collaborative and supportive team environment that encourages innovation and professional growth

- Ensure all work aligns with the client’s brand guidelines and meets the highest standards of visual and copy excellence

- Work closely with copywriters and brand strategists to ensure cohesive integration of visual and verbal elements in all creative materials

- Present creative concepts and designs to clients, effectively communicating the strategic and creative rationale behind the work

- Stay current with industry trends, tools, and best practices in design and art direction, continuously seeking opportunities to enhance the team’s creative output

- Manage external vendors, such as photographers, illustrators, and production companies, to ensure the successful execution of design projects

Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience

- 8+ years of professional experience in art direction and design, preferably within a creative agency or marketing/advertising environment

- Demonstrated ability to lead and manage creative projects from concept to completion, with a strong portfolio showcasing a range of design work

- Excellent leadership and mentorship skills, with experience guiding junior creatives and fostering a collaborative team culture

- Strong understanding of design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy

-Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, with expertise in tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign

- Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate creative ideas and concepts to clients and team members

- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet tight deadlines

- Experience working with external vendors and managing the production process for creative projects

Location:

This position is for US-based personnel and is fully remote.

Salary Range:

The base salary range for this position will be $135,000 - $165,000, depending on a candidate’s experience and qualifications as it relates to the position.

Benefits:

Penta Group is proud to offer a generous benefits package, in which regular full-time employees are eligible for enrollment the first day of the month following their date of hire. Please find a list below of our current benefit offerings:

- Excellent health care, vision, and dental coverage provided by United Healthcare with a significant portion of individual employee premiums, and 50% of dependent premiums, covered by the company

- Competitive retirement benefits with a 401(k) matching 100% up to 3% of an employee’s deferred salary, and matching 50% of the next 2% deferred

- Employer paid short term disability, long term disability, and life insurance, with the option to buy additional coverage

- Twelve weeks paid parental leave

- Flexible paid time off and a generous holiday schedule

- Monthly stipend for cell phone

- Optional pet insurance coverage

- Frequent firm-wide social events and activities

- An excellent environment for learning and growth

Penta Group, LLC values diversity and inclusion, is committed to equal employment opportunity, and to compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws. We also comply with District of Columbia law, which prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, applicants for employment and interns based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, reproductive health decisions and breastfeeding), national origin, disability, age (18 and over), personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family responsibilities, matriculation (e.g., being enrolled in a college or university or in a business, nursing, professional, secretarial, technical or vocational school), political affiliation, genetic information (including family medical history), lawful use of tobacco products, unemployment status and status as a victim or the family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense or stalking.