Grizzly is hiring: Creative Director in San Francisco

Here at Grizzly, we work at the convergence of branding and advertising-blending strategy, design, and story to build deeper, more enduring connections between brands and people.

We partner with those who are out to shape the future. The trailblazers. The visionaries. The brave thinkers. The ones who believe in a better world and are hell-bent on building it. The Adventurous Brands™ securing the future of work, powering the way we communicate, and discovering science that's changing life as we know it.

We put creativity to work for business because we believe the most innovative brands have the power to affect just about anything. They challenge convention impact culture, and create a better future. We help them navigate an increasingly complex and challenging world.

This is how we guide brands onward.

This is the adventure.

Creative Directors at Grizzly are dynamic leaders who drive the creative vision across teams and projects, solving business challenges with bold, innovative solutions. Reporting to the CCO, they collaborate with clients and internal teams to ensure every deliverable meets or exceeds expectations while making strategic decisions and providing key feedback to the delivery team. Overseeing diverse client portfolios, they coach and develop creative talent, manage priorities like timelines and budgets, and work closely with senior stakeholders to ensure smooth project execution. With extensive experience in design concept, art direction, and brand and campaign systems, Creative Directors translate complex challenges into simple, impactful ideas while continuously providing exceptional client experiences.

About the Role - Creative Leadership

• Attract, develop, and retain top creative talent, fostering a high-performing and motivated team.
• Provide clear creative direction, timely feedback, and support to ensure excellent, on-time, and on-budget work.
• Inspire the team with high expectations, accountability, and opportunities for growth through coaching and performance reviews.
• Determine staffing plans, manage talent allocation for new business pitches, and ensure proper resource alignment.
• Identify, hire, and train the next generation of creative leadership.

About the Role - Client Management

• Foster a culture of collaboration between the agency and clients, synthesizing feedback to enhance the work and meet strategic goals.
• Ensure creative objectives align with both agency and client needs, delivering innovative solutions that address client challenges.
• Lead creative efforts for new business, pitching ideas, and developing strong relationships with key clients.
• Partner with the CCO on creative operations, ensuring processes and tools meet agency standards while continually improving methodologies.
• Prioritize resources across engagements, managing timelines, budgets, and availability to meet both short-term and long-term goals.
• Maintain the highest standards for creative output, consistently producing cutting-edge work and ensuring representation in key industry competitions.
• Collaborate with leadership, providing constructive critiques and driving outcome-focused work that delivers exceptional results for clients.

About You

• 7+ years of client-facing, creative leadership experience in an agency setting, with 3+ years working directly with B2B clients.
• 5+ years of experience in managing, mentoring, and inspiring internal teams, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.
• Highly motivated with a proven track record in advertising, branding, identity, and interactive design.
• Strong foundation in design, copy, and the creative process, with expert-level knowledge of how to develop effective client solutions.
• Deep understanding of brand strategy from a business perspective, with the ability to develop and sell creative concepts that address client needs.
• Exceptional presentation skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively to internal teams and external clients at all levels.
• Confident in supporting and selling creative ideas through strategic education, both within the agency and to clients.
• Adept at handling multiple business initiatives, meeting tight deadlines, and performing under pressure with minimal direction.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with an ability to thrive in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments.
• Comprehensive knowledge of agency functions, capabilities, and service areas across a variety of industries, markets, and brands.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud design applications and experienced in designing, collaborating, and prototyping in Figma.

Additional Extras

• While Grizzly has a remote-first culture, candidate must be located in Southern CA or Atlanta, GA.
• Flexibility with schedule to meet client commitments.
• Domestic and international travel may be required, up to 35% if/as needed.

Disclaimer:

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.