Associate Director of Creative, Acquisition

Summary

Join Darkroom, a leading digital agency, as a visionary creative leader specializing in developing ad concepts for acquisition marketing on Meta. You will manage a team of designers, provide creative direction, and ensure assets align with brand identity and campaign objectives. This fully remote role, operating in the EST time zone, requires 3+ years of senior-level design experience and at least 1 year of people management experience. You will lead concept development and execution for paid media campaigns across various platforms, translating client marketing strategies into compelling ad concepts. The ideal candidate is proficient in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite and possesses a strong understanding of visual hierarchy, composition, and platform-specific best practices. Darkroom offers competitive salaries and benefits, including a flexible vacation policy, a 401k program with company match, equity incentives, and profit-sharing opportunities.

Requirements

• 3+ years of senior-level design experience, with at least 1 year of people management experience preferred
• Must have experience designing ad creatives for paid media campaigns across Meta, TikTok, YouTube, or similar platforms
• A digital portfolio showcasing performance-focused ad creative - including static ads, motion graphics, and short-form video - with a strong understanding of visual hierarchy, composition, and platform-specific best practices
• Knowledge of how to incorporate AI software into workflows to increase efficiencies and output, including ChatGPT, Midjourney, Perplexity, Icon, and more
• Self-motivated, proactive, and detail-oriented with a strong sense of ownership and accountability to performance results
• Skilled at working with performance marketers and creative strategists to write briefs, incorporate feedback, and iterate based on ad performance data
• Comfortable communicating in English with internal teams and clients, including presenting creative work and responding to feedback clearly and professionally
• Confident giving constructive feedback to other designers and supporting their growth through clear direction and mentorship
• Able to take ambiguous campaign goals and turn them into creative concepts that are visually engaging and conversion-focused
• Proficient in Figma for ad design workflows; knowledge of Auto Layout, Components, and asset handoff is essential
• Experience using Adobe Creative Suite (especially Photoshop and Illustrator) for asset creation and layout design

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of 2-4 designers focused on paid ad creative, with room to grow the team over time
• Provide creative direction, actionable feedback, and career support through regular 1:1s and project reviews
• Oversee creative quality, ensuring assets align with brand identity, platform best practices, and campaign objectives
• Partner with performance marketers and strategists to develop and iterate on high-performing ad campaigns
• Help refine internal processes, establish creative standards, and lead collaborative sessions to drive creative innovation
• Lead concept development and execution for paid media campaigns across Meta, TikTok, YouTube, and display platforms
• Translate client’s marketing strategy and performance data into clear, compelling ad concepts
• Design and direct a range of assets including static ads, animations, mobile-first videos, and storyboards for short-form content
• Present creative work to stakeholders and clients with clarity, confidence, and strategic rationale
• Monitor performance data in collaboration with the marketing team to inform creative iterations and improve results over time

Preferred Qualifications

Experience designing high-performing ads for e-commerce brands, familiarity with motion design tools (After Effects, Premiere), or working with UGC creators and editors

Benefits

• Darkweek, Unlimited Vacation Policy, and Holidays: Rebooting is one of the most important parts of growth. At Darkroom, you have access to a flexible vacation policy, our annual “Darkweek” summer break, and 10 holidays throughout the year to keep you recharged and sharp
• Finances, growth, and retirement: After one year with Darkroom, we deliver a robust 401k program with company match, equity incentives, and a profit-sharing opportunity so we can help you save as the company grows
• Endless opportunities for growth: Our agency is founded on an interdisciplinary approach, giving Darkroomers insights into services far beyond your job description. Grow your skills and interests beyond your niche and stay at the forefront of the industry through total immersion in cross-functional collaboration