Executive AI Creative Director

Onward Search is a specialized staffing and talent solutions company that helps professionals find top jobs with the nation’s leading brands. We’re hiring an Executive AI Creative Director for a hybrid opportunity. This is a full-time, direct hire role.

This Executive AI Creative Director role is a senior-level opportunity for a visionary leader who thrives at the intersection of creativity and technology. You'll drive bold, culture-shaping campaigns that blend award-winning creativity with emerging AI technologies. Reporting to the Chief Creative & Innovation Officer, you’ll oversee and mentor a team of Creative Directors, while delivering best-in-class campaigns across digital, social, experiential, and traditional platforms.

The role requires both strategic vision and hands-on execution, with a strong focus on innovation, cultural fluency, and brand-building at scale. The schedule follows regular business hours in a hybrid work environment, with a salary range of $180,000 to $230,000 depending on experience.

There is no application deadline for this role.

Executive AI Creative Director Responsibilities:

• Lead creative development across high-profile accounts, with a focus on integrating emerging technologies and AI into campaigns.
• Partner with the Chief Creative & Innovation Officer to translate vision into bold, award-worthy campaigns that drive engagement, earned media, and cultural relevance.
• Manage, mentor, and inspire a team of 5 to 6 Creative Directors, embedding AI-driven creativity into daily workflows.
• Deliver big, cross-platform ideas that scale across digital, social, experiential, and traditional channels.
• Evaluate and adopt new AI tools and technologies to enhance creative ideation, production, and presentation.
• Present creative work with authority and inspiration to senior clients and internal stakeholders.
• Lead and participate in new business pitches, agency-wide initiatives, and innovation workshops.
• Build and maintain client confidence, positioning yourself as a trusted senior creative leader.
• Foster a culture of experimentation, growth, and excellence within the creative department.
• Consistently raise the creative bar, ensuring campaigns earn attention, awards, and measurable results.

Executive AI Creative Director Qualifications:

• 15+ years of creative leadership experience with a strong record of award-winning, national campaigns.
• Bachelor’s degree in advertising, marketing, communications, or related field.
• Proven ability to lead big ideas from concept through execution with measurable cultural and business impact.
• Portfolio showcasing headline-worthy, culturally fluent, and tech-forward work.
• Deep understanding of the full creative process across platforms, channels, and campaign types.
• Familiarity with generative AI tools (Runway, Sora, ChatGPT, 11Labs, Gemini, etc.) and experience embedding them into consumer-facing work.
• Strong background in QSR and automotive campaigns (preferred).
• Demonstrated success managing, mentoring, and upskilling diverse creative teams.
• Excellent storytelling, client presentation, and senior stakeholder engagement skills.
• Comfortable driving innovation in fast-moving, high-visibility environments.

Perks & Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Life Insurance.
• 401(k) Program.
• Commuter Benefit.
• eLearning & Ongoing Training.
• Education Reimbursement.

*Eligibility requires working over 30 hours per week on an assignment lasting at least 10 weeks.

If you meet the qualifications and are excited about this opportunity, apply today! Our team will connect with you to discuss next steps, support you through the interview process, and advocate for your success.