Creative Director

Creative Director Thesis Portland, OR Job Details Full-time $140,000 - $180,000 a year 1 day ago Qualifications Customer relationship building Client relationship development Customer relationship management Content strategy Brand identity design Managing media, arts or design teams Art direction Senior leadership Full Job Description Creative Director Reports to:

Chief Creative Officer Department:

Creative Classification:

Exempt

WHO WE ARE

Thesis is a creative agency that drives design excellence and strategic impact across client programs. We elevate visual output through rigorous craft, innovation, and collaboration across multiple disciplines. THE JOB Thesis Agency is seeking a Creative Director who seamlessly blends art direction and design expertise with a proven track record of leading major consumer brand campaigns. This role is pivotal in shaping the next chapter of our agency. As Creative Director, you'll unite creativity, brand, and strategy to deliver bold campaigns, craft visionary narratives, and design innovative experiences for iconic consumer brands. You'll be a driving force within the creative team, mentoring and inspiring talent while collaborating with leading brands to produce work that is both imaginative and impactful. This is a hands-on role for a culturally fluent creative who can move quickly from minimal input to fully realized ideas, generate a wide range of concepts, sell them in, and lead the strongest ideas through to execution without losing their edge.

AS A PERSON, YOU ARE

Culturally aware, curious, and driven by taste. Fast-thinking, adaptable, and comfortable working in ambiguity. Collaborative, hands-on, and committed to making the work better at every stage. A visionary thinker who delivers transformative campaigns that redefine brand storytelling. Attuned to emerging cultural and consumer trends and able to align creative work with them. Capable of high-volume idea generation at speed without sacrificing quality. Comfortable working from loose inputs to fully formed concepts. A strong editor with the judgment to evaluate, refine, and elevate ideas. A master of craft with expertise in visual design, narrative development, and filmmaking. A strategic partner who builds trust and credibility with clients. A confident presenter and advocate for ideas at all stages. An end-to-end owner who maintains the integrity of an idea from concept through execution.

IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL

Lead Creative Excellence:

Define and drive the creative vision for campaigns, guiding teams to deliver innovative, high-impact work rooted in strong cultural perspective and taste. Concept at

Speed:

Rapidly generate a range of ideas from minimal briefs, exploring from expected to unexpected, and opening up creative territory before refining it.

Sell & Shape Ideas:

Present early-stage and high-level concepts with clarity and conviction, bringing clients and teams along, then narrowing and sharpening into the strongest direction.

Concept & Execute:

Build transformative, end-to-end campaigns that span brand identity, experiential design, product marketing, commercials, films, and digital storytelling. Lead the

Full Journey:

Carry ideas from initial concept through execution, staying close to the work to ensure the original thinking translates into the final output.

Strategic Leadership:

Partner with strategy, motion, and design teams to align creative concepts with broader brand objectives, using insights to drive relevance and engagement.

Mentor & Inspire:

Cultivate a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence by mentoring and empowering creatives to reach their full potential.

Collaborate & Innovate:

Work across teams to integrate creative, strategy, and execution, delivering work that stands out in a crowded marketplace. Oversee the creation and development of campaigns, brand identities, rebranding efforts, and content strategies while identifying new and innovative ways to tell brand stories. Represent the agency's creative vision in client meetings, advocating for bold ideas and forward-thinking solutions. Ensure all creative work aligns with client goals and exceeds expectations in quality, originality, and impact. Stay hands-on in the work, shaping outputs across design, motion, film, and content as needed. Push the boundaries of traditional creative formats to deliver premium, culturally relevant solutions. Partner with cross-functional teams to align creative output with business and consumer goals. Recruit and develop talent to strengthen the agency's creative capabilities.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

10+ years at a brand, creative agency, or studio, with at least 7 years in senior leadership roles leading campaigns. Proven track record of delivering high-impact, end-to-end campaigns for global consumer brands. Expertise in brand identity, ad campaigns, commercials, rebranding, content strategy, integrated marketing, films, and experiential executions. Strong storytelling abilities across visual, narrative, and experiential mediums. Ability to rapidly concept, sell, and execute ideas across a range of formats. Exceptional client relationship skills and the ability to lead high-stakes pitches.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The following capabilities are required in order to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden on the agency are available to address the following requirements. Using standard office equipment, computers and related technology. Certain activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding and manipulating a computer mouse. Bending, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling up to 25 pounds. Thesis operates using a hybrid model, with work occurring in office Tuesday-Thursday and remotely on Monday & Friday. Travel an needed

RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: CCO Collaborates closely with peers and Directors across all disciplines at a lead level. Mentors creative teams across visual, narrative, and experiential disciplines.

VALUES Be Lean, Take Action:

Think big, roll up your sleeves, and get the job done. Use process as an engine, not a brake.

Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say:

Connect openly, share ideas honestly, and embrace collaboration without ego.

Show Up Fully:

Bring your whole self to work — your perspective, background, and experiences — and make space for others to do the same.

ENCOURAGEMENT

We know that experience can show up in many ways. We encourage candidates to apply even if you don't meet 100% of the qualifications. If you are passionate about strategy, eager to grow, and excited to contribute your perspective, we want to hear from you. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, and believe the best ideas come from bringing different voices and experiences together.