Associate Creative Director

WHY DEPT®?

We are pioneers at heart. What this means, is that we are always leaning forward, thinking of what we can create tomorrow that does not exist today. We were born digital and we are a new model of agency, with a deep skillset in tech and marketing. That’s why we hire curious, self-driven, talented people who never stop innovating.

Our culture is big enough to cope and small enough to care. Meaning, that with people across 20+ countries, we’re big enough to provide you with the best tools, global opportunities, and benefits that help you thrive. While acting small by investing in you, your growth, your team, and giving you the autonomy to solve our clients' problems, no matter where you are in the world.

This role is part of our Personalized Creative team. We create emotive yet conversion-focused ideas, products and campaigns at scale and speed. Our specialty is hyper-personalized, digital communications that change perceptions, shape new behavior's, and shift market share for our clients including eBay, Ancestry, Walmart, and more!

JOB PURPOSE:

Your primary focus will be getting the very best work possible out the door. You will nurture and develop our Toronto-based copywriters, ensuring their main focus is delivering top-quality copy and brand messaging for multiple clients. You will have the full support of our UK offices and our global Copy Team (50+ members), as we work efficiently and effectively across different regions and time zones.

The ACD, Copy is a client-facing role, and must confidently and effectively represent DEPT® in pitches, reviews, and kickoffs. You will be the primary go-to for our clients when they have content and messaging concerns.

As a People Manager, you are required to understand, organise, and motivate people to achieve extraordinary things. You will guide thinking and behaviour in others to ensure the most successful outcomes are achieved. Our People Managers are masters of their craft, demonstrate good judgment and emotional intelligence, and encourage self-development.

Additionally, you will bring your strategic thinking and creativity to the forefront. You will help inspire, shape, and create campaign concepts and oversee brand guidelines and usage manual development. You will also evaluate and improve team processes, ensuring efficiency at every step.

This is a full-time, 6 month temporary contract.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Delivery
To the Creative Brief

• Ensures that our creative work fully meets and exceeds the brief.
• Sets the conceptual creative direction for projects on which they work by means of conceiving and expressing robust messaging strategies.
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge of the client’s brand-positioning guidelines and practices.
• Aware of all work on brands moving through the region.
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge DEPT® and/or clients’ technologies and processes.
• Assertively troubleshoots and resolves complex problems.
• Is an experienced contributor with project leadership responsibility.
• Presents to and guides clients through creative conceptualizing, production, and delivery.
• Ensues local messaging articulation.

Company
To the creative culture at DEPT®

• Work effectively with others to deliver high-quality work—creative does not happen in a vacuum, and the ACD appreciates this fully.
• Demonstrates leadership qualities—stands as a rallying point for messaging excellence.]
• Conducts self and communicates professionally with clients and colleagues.
• Confidently represents and acts as a proxy for Copy Director; speaks as a member of the of the wider DEPT® leadership team
• Acts as an ambassador for DEPT®, attending creative and client events as required.
• Assumes responsibility for an office approach/methodology, and develops an approach in line with industry standards; evangelises the use of approach/methodology to colleagues.
• Shares ideas and industry trends on particular subject matter with colleagues through informal communication, formal presentations, and training sessions.
• Seeks to learn about other disciplines and work collaboratively on projects and internal initiatives.
• Makes use of appropriate research materials (Internet, publications, etc.) to ensure skills and knowledge remain current.
• Conceive and develop initiatives that develop standards and skill sets.
• Manages the team in an exemplary manner.
• Challenges substandard work and motivates the team to deliver excellence.
• Partners with senior leadership in the Toronto and UK offices to effectively execute company initiatives.
• Ensures that Toronto-based Copy Team members are developed and nurtured.

In addition

• New business development: On an ad hoc basis, you will be asked to contribute to new business opportunity development, pitches, and investment in existing account opportunities.
• Be a passionate brand advocate: You may be asked to attend events, workshops, conferences, etc., and exemplify our values externally.

SKILLS AND PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

• At least 7+ years experience in a creative leadership role.
• Inspirational creativity.
• Good team leadership, mentorship, and persuasion skills.
• A clear communicator with the gravitas to attain respect from the copy and creative teams, wider agency, and clients.
• Ability to build rapport quickly and maintain relationship networks.
• Deep and proven understanding of marketing, branding, communications, and business objective application.
• Clear understanding of when to apply different messaging skills, ideation, brand storytelling, direct communications, emotive concepts, etc.
• Strong copy portfolio with examples of brand messaging.
• Original thinker who provides high-level client service; develops and implements new and innovative resolutions.
• Advanced knowledge of marketing copy/brand storytelling techniques, and tools.
• Knows and effectively uses fundamental concepts, practices, and procedures to complete work efficiently and effectively.

WE OFFER:

• 15 days Paid PTO
• 10 Public Holidays + Birthday off
• Medical, Dental, and Mental Health Support/Benefits (through Canada Life Insurance)
• Learning & growth certifications/certifications
• Enhanced Family Leave (after 1 year)
• A flexible, hybrid working policy
• Buddy Program: You will be paired with a ‘Buddy’ to help you through your first weeks’ at DEPT®
• Tons of Office perks in our Toronto office! Enjoy biweekly breakfasts and lunches, tons of free snacks, and of course team events on the regular!
• A reputation for doing good. DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp® since 2021 and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards.
• Awesome clients. Whether big or small, local or global — at DEPT® you’ll get the opportunity to work with clients of all sizes and across all industries. And we celebrate all of our successes together!
• The opportunity for possibility. We want to enable you to do what you do best and help you develop your skills further with training, development and certifications.
• Global annual DEPT® Cares Month in which employees come together and donate their skills to support local charities.

DEPT® is committed to making a positive impact on the planet and since 2021 has been Climate Neutral and B Corporation certified.

DEPT® is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace that seeks to recruit, develop, nurture and retain the most talented people from a range of diverse backgrounds, skills and perspectives. We encourage all applications irrespective of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, age, nationality, marital status, and disability.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.

We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.

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