Executive/Creative Director

Active Theory is seeking an Executive / Creative Director (ECD) to lead creative vision and execution across high-profile client work and new business initiatives. This is a senior, highly visible role that sits at the intersection of hands-on creative leadership, strategic thinking, and studio-wide design excellence.

The ECD partners closely with other Executive / Creative Directors to uphold and evolve Active Theory’s creative standards across interactive, experiential, and digital projects. 

This role requires experience with deep digital craft, comfort with software and technology, and the ability to move fluidly between strategy, concept, execution, and client partnership.

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What This Role Looks Like
Company-Level Responsibilities

Partner with the other ECD to shape and evolve Active Theory’s design culture

Maintain a high bar for creative quality across all projects you oversee

Provide creative oversight and feedback to designers across multiple teams

Participate in internal reviews, critiques, and creative forums

Contribute to studio-wide creative initiatives, experimentation, and thought leadership

Project-Level Responsibilities

Serve as Executive/Creative Director and project lead on assigned client work, from concept through launch

Own creative vision, narrative, and execution across projects, ensuring work is visually striking, conceptually rigorous, and technically sound

Lead creative discovery, ideation, design direction, and reviews

Be hands-on when needed, contributing directly to design, motion, or visual systems

Present work and creative rationale clearly and confidently to senior client stakeholders

Partner closely with production and development to balance creative ambition with scope, timelines, and budget

Client & Account Leadership

Act as Creative Lead for Clients, developing deep understanding of the brand, creative standards, and long-term vision

Establish trusted client relationships through strong creative leadership and consistent delivery

Lead pitches, concept presentations, and creative strategy discussions

Provide creative leadership and client management in partnership with production and account leads

Leadership, Mentorship & Growth

Mentor mid-level and junior designers through project feedback, creative guidance, and career development

Support the growth and elevation of senior creatives ensuring they have the opportunity to grow in their craft and as leaders

Participate in hiring by reviewing portfolios, interviewing candidates, and helping define role expectations

Manage the North American Creative Team

Represent Active Theory externally through public speaking, events, talks, and industry presence

Required Experience & Skills

8+ years of experience in digital design/creative production, ideally within a creative or digital agency

Proven experience leading large-scale, highly interactive projects from concept to launch

Strong conceptual thinking paired with excellent visual and design craft

Deep familiarity with tools such as Figma, Adobe Suite, After Effects, C4D, and related creative workflows

Strong understanding of interactive and WebGL-driven experiences (hands-on or through close collaboration)

Excellent presentation, communication, and storytelling skills

Ability to lead teams with clarity, empathy, and confidence

Comfortable balancing creative ambition with practical constraints

What Success Looks Like

New business efforts are elevated through clear, compelling creative vision

Clients trust your leadership and see you as a long-term creative partner

Projects consistently launch at a high creative bar

Designers feel supported, challenged, and inspired by your feedback

Active Theory’s design culture continues to mature, evolve, and strengthen

Senior creatives, especially emerging leaders, grow alongside you

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