Senior Art Director (Creative team) - Freelance or contract

At AKQA, we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products, and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital experiences that capture the imagination and deliver impressive results for our clients.

Creatives at AKQA apply artistry and craftsmanship to strategic insights, bringing to life powerful ideas that move the world. As skilled storytellers and conceptors, they work with multidisciplinary teams to develop integrated campaigns, experiences, and content that span storytelling, design, and brand experience.

As a Senior Art Director, you play an essential role in the strategy, conception, and execution of outstanding creative work. You partner closely with a Senior Copywriter, forming a dynamic creative team that delivers innovative and compelling ideas—ideas that are not just conceptually strong but also executed with exceptional craft and attention to detail. You push creative boundaries, lead client engagements, and help shape the creative culture of the studio.

NOTE - this is a freelance or contract opportunity

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Develop and manage original, conceptually compelling, and beautifully crafted work across campaigns, content, and digital experiences.
• Collaborate as a team with a Senior Copywriter, ensuring that ideas are strategically sound, emotionally resonant, and meticulously executed.
• Champion craft at every stage of execution, from initial concept through to final production, ensuring the highest level of quality across all touchpoints.
• Listen to and respond to briefs, identifying gaps and opportunities to elevate the creative output.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, including Experience & Product Design, Client Services, and Delivery, to ensure a seamless creative process.
• Be client-facing, confidently presenting creative work to both internal and external stakeholders, providing clear rationale for creative decisions.
• Own and manage projects, ensuring that creative execution meets AKQA’s high standards of excellence, with oversight from a Creative Director when needed.
• Mentor and manage junior members of the team, fostering a culture of growth, learning, and collaboration.
• Play a key role in shaping the culture and creative output of the studio, contributing to its vision and direction alongside the Creative Director or Group Creative Director.
• Oversee and provide creative direction for large productions, ensuring brand consistency and executional excellence across all assets.

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• A compelling portfolio showcasing exceptional conceptual thinking, art direction, and craft, demonstrating how strong ideas translate into beautifully executed work.
• A visionary creative thinker who embraces challenges and inspires innovative solutions.
• A strategic mindset, with the ability to translate business and brand insights into meaningful creative work.
• A deep passion for craft, ensuring every aspect of the work—from typography to motion—is refined and meticulously designed.
• Experience working in collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams, contributing to a shared vision.
• Strong leadership and presentation skills, both visual and verbal, with the ability to sell ideas and build client confidence.
• A deep breadth of cultural reference points, keeping work relevant and resonant for a variety of audiences.
• Experience working directly with clients and nurturing long-term client relationships.
• Previous experience managing direct reports, interns, or small teams is advantageous.
• A relentless drive for excellence, with a commitment to pushing creative boundaries and delivering world-class ideas and execution.
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, and Keynote, with the ability to lead in both design and production phases.
• A degree in Design, Interaction Design, Visual Studies, or a related field is preferred.

AKQA is an Equal Opportunities Employer, we believe that diversity is vital to AKQA’s ability to provide our clients with the best recommendations and are committed to fostering a varied and inclusive work environment. Your race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or veteran status have no bearing on our hiring decisions. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.