Associate Creative Director (On-Site, NYC)

Who are we?

MATTE is a 360° creative studio at the convergence of hype, storytelling and design. We bring people together to inspire new ways of engaging, to provoke long term progress, and to entertain audiences around the world, while helping forward-thinking brands and institutions nimbly and truly do the same. Our studio capabilities range from strategic ideation and insights, creative development, branding and identity, experiential, web design and development, campaigns and content creation, all the way through full-scale production and execution.

About this role: 

We are seeking an Associate Creative Director to help lead the development and execution of exceptional creative across a wide range of industries. This role is highly conceptual, design-forward, and hands-on. Ideal for a strong creative thinker with a refined point of view and a proven ability to bring ideas to life with craft and clarity.

The Associate Creative Director partners closely with Creative Directors and senior leadership to shape creative direction, develop concepts, and elevate execution across campaigns, experiences, and content. You will play a key role in setting the bar for quality, mentoring teams, and translating strategy into compelling creative work.

Background working with sports and lifestyle brands is a plus.

Creative Vision & Strategy

• Provide strategic creative leadership and a compelling artistic vision across diverse projects, ensuring alignment with each client’s brand, values, and goals.
• Translate briefs and strategic insights into bold creative platforms and campaign narratives.

Concept Development & Execution

• Lead brainstorming sessions and ideation processes to generate original and impactful concepts.
• Oversee execution of creative assets across digital, experiential, film, and branding touchpoints, ensuring consistent storytelling and visual quality.

Collaboration & Teamwork

• Work cross-functionally with internal departments—Strategy, Client Services, Production, and Operations—to guide creative projects from concept through completion.
• Inspire and support multidisciplinary teams including designers, art directors, copywriters, and creative technologists.

Client Engagement

• Serve as a creative lead in client meetings—presenting work, aligning vision, and building trust through strategic and creative clarity.
• Provide expert guidance to clients, ensuring creative work meets business and brand objectives.
  

Culture & Trend Fluency

• Stay informed on cultural shifts, platform evolution, and emerging trends across industries to keep creative output fresh and forward-thinking.
  

Team Leadership & Management

• Mentor and lead a high-performing creative team, offering feedback, support, and growth opportunities.
• Effectively manage team resources and creative workflows to ensure balance, efficiency, and excellence.
  

Project Oversight

• Manage multiple projects at various stages, overseeing timelines, budgets, and creative deliverables.
• Ensure the highest level of creative quality and consistency across all work.

What you will bring:

• 8–10+ years of creative experience in an agency, studio, or hybrid brand environment.
• 2–4+ years in a senior creative or leadership role (Senior AD, AD, or ACD).
• A strong portfolio showcasing campaigns, experiential, digital storytelling, and brand work.
• Excellent conceptual, visual, and design sensibility.
• Confident communicator and presenter.
• Collaborative, curious, and detail-oriented creative leader.
• Proficiency in Figma required.

Compensation: 150,000-170,000/year based on experience

Benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 401k with a 4% company contribution max match 
• Fully covered yearly Citibike membership wellness perk
• Talkspace membership wellness perk
• Competitive PTO package
• End of Year Recharge paid time off
• Sabbatical Program option after three years of employment with us
• Parental Leave for all new parents

Everyone is welcome at MATTE - we’re passionate about building a team that reflects the diversity of our community and creating an environment where our differences are celebrated. MATTE provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, MATTE will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.