The Role
Leads JPL’s digital studio and content production across performance marketing, social media, video, animation, and advertising. Sets creative vision, manages and develops multidisciplinary teams, oversees client and cross-functional collaboration, and delivers audience-focused campaigns tied to business outcomes. Uses platform insights, analytics, AI tools, and user research to optimize creative performance while maintaining brand consistency. The role also drives production growth, presents to clients, manages budgets, and supports new business pitches.
Summary Generated by Built In
The Creative Digital Studio Director sits at the intersection of creative strategy and execution, leading digital production for performance marketing and content programs. You integrate strategy, creative, paid media, and analytics, using platform and audience insights to craft creative campaigns and programs. As the hands-on connective tissue across disciplines, you ensure the Studio’s work delivers strong business outcomes.
This role leads with curiosity and aims high, taking smart risks and bringing clarity and plans to ambiguity along the way.
The Director heads up JPL's Studio team within our Creative organization and collaborates closely with leads across JPL and with client creative and technical teams.
This role offers flexibility with in-office and remote work opportunities. However, due to the nature of the role, much of the work is done onsite in Harrisburg, PA or at a client location.
Responsibilities:
Qualifications:
This role leads with curiosity and aims high, taking smart risks and bringing clarity and plans to ambiguity along the way.
The Director heads up JPL's Studio team within our Creative organization and collaborates closely with leads across JPL and with client creative and technical teams.
This role offers flexibility with in-office and remote work opportunities. However, due to the nature of the role, much of the work is done onsite in Harrisburg, PA or at a client location.
Responsibilities:
- Direct the agency’s content production, blending strategic creative direction with emerging digital trends to power content programs, social media, and campaigns.
- Own the full Content Design process from ideation to execution across multiple projects — setting creative vision, making work, pitching concepts, and championing innovative, audience-centric work that aligns with business goals.
- Manage and oversee the Studio team focused on Content Design: content producers, designers, animators, editors, and contractors. Guide performance coaching and career discussions to build skillsets and strong creative thinking.
- Lead the team day-to-day with hands-on digital expertise across social media, video, animation, and ad production.
- Partner with cross-functional teams: Content Writing, Paid Media, Creative, Video, and Analytics.
- Produce quick-turn assets at a senior level (photography, animation, design), leading the team to stay ahead of emerging AV techniques and digital platforms.
- Serve as a hands-on player-coach: mentor, inspire excellence, sharpen creative work, and grow the broader creative team, ensuring every idea pushes boundaries while staying grounded in strategy.
- Work regularly with AI tools and proprietary data, aligned with JPL's AI POV and responsible-use policy, and uphold privacy and transparency standards.
- Partner with clients and strategy teams to define goals for marketing campaigns and content programs.
- Research platforms, markets, and target audiences; partner with Analytics to turn data and user research into content that performs better across platforms and leverage each channel’s unique behaviors, formats, and storytelling opportunities to connect with audiences where they are.
- Safeguard brand identity, tone, and aesthetic consistency across all content.
- Chart a vision for production growth within the agency.
- Stay ahead of digital trends, technologies, and the evolving role of AI in content design.
- Commit to continuous learning on emerging AI tools and data, whether as an AI Pioneer or in partnership with direct reports who are.
- Take on other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- 10+ years in an agency, marketing firm, or corporate marketing department with a digital content design focus.
- Deep knowledge of digital platforms and their requirements (Meta, X, TikTok, YouTube, etc.), backed by a strong content creation portfolio with demonstrated success developing platform-first creative work that balances brand storytelling with performance objectives.
- Strategic brand, marketing, and communications/campaign experience in higher education, healthcare, CPG, and/or niche B2B is required.
- Expertise in current digital marketing, analytics, and lead-nurturing strategies, with strength in omni-channel performance marketing and creative optimization.
- A track record of translating consumer insights into impactful creative that drives business growth through critical thinking and strategic execution.
- Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, with experience guiding teams through ambiguity; proven ability to bridge internal and external perspectives and inspire teams with clear, actionable plans and the rationale behind them.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Excellent client-facing and presentation skills, with a collaborative style that engages senior-level clients and creates a positive client experience. Deep experience in new business pitches.
- Experience with, or openness to, using AI to support personnel performance, goal setting, and team development.
- Proficiency in Meta Business Manager, social media ad platforms, Adobe programs, and Microsoft Office.
- Strong leadership and budgeting acumen to keep the department productive and profitable.
- Ability to multitask and collaborate effectively across teams.
Skills Required
- 10+ years of experience in an agency, marketing firm, or corporate marketing department focused on digital content design
- Deep knowledge of digital platforms including Meta, X, TikTok, and YouTube
- Strong content creation portfolio demonstrating successful platform-first creative work balancing brand storytelling and performance objectives
- Strategic brand, marketing, and communications or campaign experience in higher education, healthcare, CPG, and/or niche B2B
- Expertise in digital marketing, analytics, lead nurturing, omni-channel performance marketing, and creative optimization
- Track record of translating consumer insights into creative that drives business growth
- Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and attention-to-detail skills
- Experience guiding teams through ambiguity and creating clear, actionable plans
- Excellent client-facing and presentation skills, including experience with senior-level clients
- Deep experience in new business pitches
- Experience with, or openness to, using AI for personnel performance, goal setting, and team development
- Proficiency in Meta Business Manager, social media advertising platforms, Adobe programs, and Microsoft Office
- Strong leadership and budgeting skills to maintain department productivity and profitability
- Ability to multitask and collaborate effectively across teams
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The Company
What We Do
JPL is a full-service, integrated marketing and communications agency headquartered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It combines audience expertise, creative problem solving, data analysis, innovative technology, and strategic insight to help regional, national, and global organizations achieve business results. Its services span advertising, branding, digital content, paid media, healthcare, higher-education, B2B, B2C, internal communications, and parent-and-family marketing through integrated campaigns and client partnerships.
