Associate Creative Director, Copy

About Athena

Athena is a creative place for leaders, risk-takers, creative thinkers, and boundary-pushers. We partner with organizations looking to transform their presence, reputation, and performance. For over ten years, we’ve delivered business insights, marketing strategies, and brand activations for leading organizations across industries ranging from telecommunications to major league sports.

Our people make Athena, Athena. They’re what set us apart from traditional ad agencies and consultancies. As a Philadelphia Inquirer Top Workplace for three years running, we foster an environment where passion meets excellence—and where smart, solutions‑oriented people roll up their sleeves to make work that works.

About the Role

We’re looking for an ACD, copy to help lead creative output across client work and the Athena brand. This role balances big idea thinking with strong execution, partnering closely with designers, art directors, strategists, project managers, and fellow writers to deliver insightful, on-brand work.  

You’ll move fluidly between concept development, creative direction, and team leadership—owning the written voice while helping set the creative bar across channels and initiatives.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

• Lead copy direction across campaigns, content, and brand expressions, ensuring consistency in tone, voice, and messaging across all channels and platforms.

• Develop strong creative platforms and messaging frameworks that support integrated campaign ideas from concept through execution.

• Drive and facilitate concepting and ideation sessions, translating strategic insights into clear, compelling, and sellable creative ideas.

• Play a key role in new business and pitch efforts, helping shape narratives, write and refine pitch materials, and participate in client and prospect presentations to win new work.

• Present creative work with confidence to clients and internal stakeholders, clearly articulating ideas, rationale, and recommendations.

• Manage, mentor, and develop copywriters and junior creative team members, providing constructive feedback, coaching, and creative direction to support high-quality work and professional growth.

• Act as a player–coach, balancing hands-on execution with leadership responsibilities while helping set and uphold creative standards for the team.

• Collaborate closely with designers, strategists, project managers, and account teams to ensure work aligns with strategic objectives, timelines, and client expectations.
• Maintain a high bar for craft, clarity, and storytelling, ensuring all written work reflects Athena’s brand standards and delivers business impact.

Skills & Experience You Should Have

• ACD level copy leadership experience, demonstrated through a portfolio showing campaign concepting and multichannel execution‑level copy leadership experience, demonstrated through a portfolio showing campaign concepting and multi‑channel execution.

• Required: Proven 360 advertising experience, leading copy across fully integrated campaigns (paid and organic social, digital, TV, video, experiential, OOH, CRM/email, web, etc.).

• Required: Experience leading and mentoring a team of writers, including assigning work, providing editorial direction, and developing talent.

• Advanced writing, editing, and storytelling skills with a strong point of view on craft and quality.

• Ability to translate complex or ambiguous ideas into clear, persuasive messaging for defined audiences.

• Comfort working in a fast paced, collaborative, agency style environment with multiple stakeholders. Fast ‑paced, collaborative, agency‑style environment with multiple stakeholders.

It’s a Plus If You Have

• Experience writing for regulated, complex, or high-stake industries (telecom, automotive, enterprise brands). High‑stakes industries (telecom, automotive, enterprise brands)

• Experience developing or managing brand voice and messaging frameworks.

• Experience partnering with performance or analytics teams to refine messaging based on results.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental benefits including a 1K Health Reimbursement Account
• Matching 401K
• Generous PTO policy
• Substantial Parental Leave Policy
• Hybrid Work Environment

Equal Opportunity Employer

Athena is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law. If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance in applying for a position, please contact us at 866.299.6040.