As an Associate Creative Director, you will bridge creative vision and execution across static and motion media. You will lead and mentor a team of UI/UX, visual & motion designers, define high-quality visual standards, drive storytelling through creative ideation and ensure cohesive brand expression across campaigns, digital platforms, film/animation, and interactive media. You will partner closely with creative leadership, strategy, clients (internal or external), and production to deliver compelling, on-brand visual experiences.

Your role is critical in elevating the visual voice of the agency, championing innovation in design, and translating big ideas into polished, emotionally engaging visual and animated work.

Role Requirements

• 10+ years of experience with a strong, diverse portfolio showcasing visual design, motion graphics, storytelling, animation, brand work, interactive pieces, and campaign-level thinking

• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (After Effects, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, Photoshop)

• Skilled in animation, compositing, visual effects, motion typography

• Experience in 3D tools (Cinema 4D, Blender, Maya, or equivalent) preferred

• Understanding of UI / UX motion (app/web animations)

• Ability to work with Lottie / vector motion / web-embedded assets is a plus

• You should be able to translate strategy or messaging into visually compelling narratives—static or motion

• Ability to lead a team, guide, critique, mentor junior & mid-level designers, and uphold quality and consistency across teams

• Comfortable working with creative directors, strategists, copywriters, producers, developers, and clients

• Ability to articulate design rationale and present work convincingly

• Ensuring final deliverables meet aesthetic, technical, and brand standards

• Stay updated on motion, design trends, tools, and evolving formats, bring fresh ideas and push visual boundaries

• Be comfortable to work in agency and on site client location as needed

• Ability to estimate work effort, plan in collaboration with the program team and ensure consistent velocity of work output

Qualifications & Characteristics

• You inspire and develop designers, giving constructive feedback and encouraging growth.

• Balance creative ambition with constraints, adapt quickly to changing briefs, and find smart solutions.

• Present ideas and design decisions with clarity and confidence to diverse stakeholders.

• Thrive in fast-paced environments, manage pressure, and maintain quality under tight timelines.

• You believe in collaboration, respect diverse perspectives, and build camaraderie across creative, strategy, and production teams

• Possess great written and verbal communication skills

We believe great work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach including required in-office days. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.