SimpsonScarborough is an integrated marketing and branding agency that serves higher education clients. We spend our days building brands that endure, inspire, and elevate the all-important work of colleges and universities in shaping our future. Recognized as a leader in the higher ed marketing industry, our company runs a fully remote team of approximately 60 employees coast to coast with collections of employees in Alexandria, VA.; Greenville, SC.; Rochester, NY; Los Angeles, CA; and Columbus, Ohio. You’ll have an opportunity to work alongside respected colleagues who are challenged in their roles, excited for the future, and make each other and our work better.

The Executive Creative Director (ECD) serves as SimpsonScarborough’s chief creative leader. The ECD is a respected professional with 15 or more years of experience leading both large-and small-scale creative engagements for an agency, marketing consulting firm, higher education institution, or some combination of the three.

The ideal candidate will be a proven Creative leader with a passion for branding, design, strategy, campaigns, and storytelling; adept at synthesizing client research and insights, and an appreciation for the role that higher education can play in making our society better. The ECD will demonstrate a track record of setting creative vision, bringing out the best in team members, sharing praise and welcoming others into the spotlight, and directing multiple cross functional creative teams in ensuring the highest standards for each client engagement. 

Responsibilities include: 

• Guiding and developing creative ideas and concepts that move our clients and higher education forward 
• Overseeing creative executions from start to finish, as well as their evolution over time 

• Collaborate on and guide the work of all direct reports, while ensuring feasibility and budget alignment 
• Managing director-level creatives, including but not limited to studio-specific or group creative directors and discipline-specific directors in design, copy, content, and video 
• Instill a passion for collaboration, teamwork, and inspiration throughout the team and across the agency 
• Mentoring creatives, managing their professional development, and recruiting new creatives
• Presenting to clients, as well as developing long-term relationships with them 

• Contributing to agency and industry thought-leadership via blog posts, newsletter articles, and public speaking 
• Participate in development of new business proposals and pitches 
• Creating a working environment within Creative that’s consistent with SimpsonScarborough’s culture 

Qualifications: 

• We believe in research, so we did ours. Relevant work experience is not a predictor of future performance. Both a bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent practical experiences will be treated equally. 
• Minimum of 15 years professional experience. 
• Experience taking client goals and translating them into creative direction and execution 
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills 

• Strength in evaluating both copy and design with attention and experience across both digital and traditional
• A portfolio that demonstrates the ability to connect strategy with creative outputs 
• Deep experience in digital and traditional advertising, brand experience, and media tactics 
• Track record of rallying a team around outcomes and objectives 
• Ability to work with virtual teams across multiple locations and time zone 

• Robust understanding of higher education audience segments 
• Willingness to travel as needed for client engagements, team meetings, or new business opportunities 

Salary and Benefits: 

• Salary range begins at $170,000 and will extend based on candidate experience and capability. 

• SimpsonScarborough offers a full benefits package, including nationwide health coverage, dental, vision, a 401k, unlimited PTO, paid parental leave, over 15 holidays per year as well as ½ day Fridays throughout the year (as workload allows), fully remote positions, and a WFH stipend.

SimpsonScarborough provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Come as you are; we will be proud to have you on our team.