Role Overview
Instrument is seeking an Executive Creative Director (ECD) to lead creative vision, shape transformative client partnerships, and elevate the standard of work across our agency. This role blends visionary creative leadership with strategic business thinking, operational partnership, and deep cross-functional collaboration.As an ECD, you will guide multidisciplinary teams across brand, digital product, campaign, and experience workβbringing together strategy, design, storytelling, and technology to create impactful, future-forward experiences. You will serve as a trusted executive partner to both clients and internal leaders, helping shape long-term creative direction while fostering a culture of excellence, curiosity, and accountability. This role is ideal for a creative leader who is equally passionate about building world-class work, mentoring senior talent, growing client relationships, and influencing the future of the agency.
What You'll Do
- Set and elevate the creative vision across key client relationships and agency initiatives.
- Lead multidisciplinary teams across brand, digital, campaign, and experience work to deliver impactful, high-quality creative outcomes.
- Ensure work is strategically grounded, creatively ambitious, and executed with exceptional craft.
- Provide clear creative direction, feedback, and decision-making throughout the lifecycle of projects and engagements.
- Serve as a senior creative partner to executive-level client stakeholders.
- Lead creative visioning and storytelling for new business opportunities and major presentations.
- Build long-term client trust through strong creative leadership, strategic thinking, and collaboration.
- Identify opportunities to grow partnerships through innovative and effective creative solutions.
- Mentor and develop Creative Directors and senior creative team members.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, inclusivity, and creative excellence.
- Help shape and grow the agencyβs creative talent through recruiting, coaching, and team development.
- Partner closely with Strategy, Technology, Production, and Client Services leadership to drive cohesive outcomes.
- Balance creative ambition with business goals, timelines, budgets, and delivery realities.
- Contribute to agency growth, operational improvements, and evolving creative practices.
- Stay engaged with emerging technologies, creative tools, and evolving behaviors shaping the industry.
- Encourage thoughtful experimentation and innovation across teams and client work.
- Help define how creativity and technology intersect to shape future experiences.
What You Bring
- 15+ years of experience leading creative work across brand, digital, campaign, and/or product experiences.
- Significant experience leading multidisciplinary creative teams within an agency or highly collaborative environment.
- A portfolio demonstrating world-class creative thinking, craft, storytelling, and business impact.
- Experience building and maintaining trusted relationships with senior and executive-level clients.
- Strong understanding of modern brand systems, digital ecosystems, customer experiences, and integrated campaigns.
- Exceptional communication, presentation, and storytelling skills.
- Proven ability to inspire teams while balancing creative ambition with strategic and operational realities.
- Experience contributing to new business growth, pitch leadership, and agency development.
- Curiosity around emerging technologies and how they can enhance creative processes and outcomes.
- A collaborative, humble, and proactive leadership style.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- 401k with employer matching
- Unlimited PTO + company wide closures
- Work From Home and Wellbeing monthly stipend
- HSA Employer Contribution
- Professional Development Stipend
- Paid Parental Leave
What We Offer
- Flexible, Hybrid Work Environment
- Great Compensation with Annual Reviews
- 401(k) Matching with Immediate Vesting
- Robust Medical, Vision, and Accident Insurance
- Generous Paid Holidays and unlimited PTO
- Monthly Wellbeing Stipend
- Career Management and Leadership Training
