Associate Creative Director, Copy, In-house Agency

About the position

Rare opportunity to join RED, Vanguard's award-winning in-house creative agency, as an Associate Creative Director, Copy, In-house Agency. This experienced leader role will manage a team of copywriters who use a combination of creative briefs, research, and testing to develop copy for both internal and external client and non-client-facing communications. Examples include advertising, social media, articles, emails, presentations, video scripts, concept development, and more. The role requires a robust executive presence, superior communication and problem-solving skills at all levels, and extensive expertise in managing creative talent. Experience also required in building and executing a machine-learning-backed approach to creating preapproved content libraries that can be used to fast-track personalized communications and work processes.

Responsibilities

• Hires, evaluates, and supervises crew. Provides guidance and training as necessary to develop crew. Sets performance standards, reviews performance, and makes informed compensation decisions in accordance with all applicable Human Resources policies and procedures.
• Sets priorities to balance workload and adjusts resources as necessary. Sets strategy and positioning for copy and team processes. Creates new approaches or processes with enhanced quality and efficiency for the near-term. Manages multiple projects efficiently. Identifies, evaluates, and resolves complex issues.
• Consults with leaders and subject matter experts regularly on communications and content strategies. Applies advanced subject matter expertise to pitch new ideas and find creative ways to tell Vanguard's story.
• Leads department quality initiatives and supports quality dashboard metrics. Analyzes data and develops process improvements.
• Maintains and divulges in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of various industries and of Vanguard products, processes, and/or services.
• Serves as mentor to less experienced writers and/or editors by providing specific feedback on their copy, story ideas, new media formatting, and interviewing skills.
• Provides editorial direction and guidance across mediums by working closely and collaboratively with designers, developers, marketing managers, and business leaders.
• Acts as an editor for high-profile or rush content.
• Partners with other marketing leaders to establish and maintain consistency in editorial practices across Vanguard.
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum five years related work experience.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience. Graduate degree preferred.

Nice-to-haves

• Agency experience preferred.
• Comprehensive understanding of legal and compliance issues related to creative content.
• Knowledge of Workfront and Writer.com preferred.
• Investment/finance background preferred or experience handling complex, highly regulated subject matter.
• Experience handling rush or after-hours crisis comm support.

Benefits

• Hybrid work model: Tuesday-Thursday in-person presence required in our Malvern, PA, office.