Creative Director

About HLK

We believe in the power of people to drive brands.

Together, we help shape a brand's identity and inspire its next move. We believe brands have the power to influence behavior, create meaningful connections, and drive change. That's why we build brands in constant motion—brands that connect, surprise, and inspire action.

Our mission is to create an environment where passionate problem solvers can thrive. Every day, we challenge ourselves to:

Be Curious. Seek out the right problems to solve. Embrace feedback. Dig deeper and dream bigger.

Be Thoughtful. Turn awareness into understanding and information into insight. Remove obstacles, solve problems, and support others in moving work forward.

Be Brave. Take calculated risks. Push the work. Move forward fearlessly.

About The Role

HLK is seeking a Creative Director to lead great work, develop great talent, and help our clients grow.

This role is equal parts creative leader, mentor, collaborator, and maker. You'll guide multidisciplinary teams in developing ideas that move brands forward while building trusted partnerships with clients and colleagues. You'll elevate the quality of work across the agency, foster an environment where people can do their best work, and help raise the standard of creative work across the agency.

The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking with creative ambition, inspires confidence in clients and teams alike, and isn't afraid to roll up their sleeves when the work demands it.

We believe the best ideas emerge through collaboration, mentorship, and shared experiences, which is why this role is based onsite in either our St. Louis or Chicago office.

Responsibilities

• Define and champion creative vision across brands, campaigns, and initiatives, ensuring work is strategically sound, creatively distinctive, and aligned with client objectives
• Lead, inspire, and mentor creative teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and creative excellence
• Partner closely with strategy, account, media, production, and client teams to develop integrated solutions that solve business challenges
• Build trusted relationships with clients, confidently presenting and defending ideas while guiding conversations toward successful outcomes
• Elevate the quality of creative output through thoughtful direction, constructive feedback, and a commitment to high standards
• Contribute directly to concept development, ideation, and execution when needed
• Help identify opportunities for agency growth through new business efforts, pitches, and thought leadership initiatives
• Remove obstacles, solve problems proactively, and help teams navigate ambiguity with confidence and clarity
  
  

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Experience leading creative teams within an advertising agency environment, including experience at the Associate Creative Director or Creative Director level
• A portfolio demonstrating breakthrough, integrated work across multiple channels and platforms
• A natural curiosity and desire to understand client businesses, customer behavior, and market dynamics beyond the creative brief
• Proven ability to mentor and develop creative talent
• Strong strategic instincts and the ability to translate business objectives into compelling creative solutions
• Experience building trusted client relationships and presenting ideas with confidence and influence
• A hands-on approach to leadership, with the ability and willingness to contribute directly to the work when needed
• Demonstrated success leading complex projects from concept through execution
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
• Must be located in Chicago or St. Louis and able to work onsite
  
  

Compensation & Benefits

• Flexible work environment
• Casual and creative atmosphere
• Unlimited time off
• Paid sabbatical
• Parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with company match