Executive Creative Director

Highwire Public Relations - Charlotte, NC

Full-time - Senior

Hybrid - Charlotte, NC

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Executive Creative Director (ECD) at Highwire will serve as the creative leader and visionary, responsible for driving the agency's brand and creative direction for clients. This role involves leading the conception and execution of high-impact campaigns that push boundaries and deliver bold, award-winning ideas. The ECD will oversee creative development across the agency, collaborate with various teams, and play a key role in new business pitches, ensuring that Highwire's work sets new standards in innovation and storytelling.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the creative leader and visionary, setting the standard for creative work across all client campaigns and initiatives.
• Develop and drive the creative strategy that aligns with Highwire's mission to deliver disruptive, high-impact storytelling.
• Partner with senior leadership and the strategy team to ensure creative excellence is integrated into every aspect of our communications work, from ideation through execution.
• Lead ideation sessions that push the boundaries of creative thinking, encouraging the team to develop bold, original concepts based on strategic insights.
• Champion creative thinking far beyond your team and encourage all Highwire employees to push their work to new levels of creative excellence.
• Stay at the forefront of creative trends, ensuring Highwire's work remains innovative, impactful, and culturally relevant.
• Oversee the conceptual development of creative campaigns, ensuring they meet client objectives and deliver compelling stories that break through the noise.
• Lead the execution of big, integrated creative ideas that drive measurable results across paid, earned, shared, and owned channels.
• Ensure all creative deliverables—from copy to visual assets—are of the highest quality and aligned with the client's strategic goals.
• Partner with strategic communications, social, digital marketing, content, and strategy teams to integrate creative ideas into broader campaigns, resulting in a cohesive and consistent narrative.
• Lead creative concepts for new business pitches, developing innovative ideas that align with prospective clients' objectives and push creative boundaries.
• Collaborate with the business development team to create compelling creative strategies and presentations that differentiate Highwire from competitors.
• Play a pivotal role in pitch presentations, showcasing the agency's creative expertise and providing a clear vision for how creative solutions will drive client success.
• Take a hands-on approach while building, leading, and mentoring a world-class creative team.
• Nurture creative talent and foster an environment that promotes bold thinking and collaboration.
• Provide ongoing feedback and coaching to develop the team's skills, ensuring continued growth and innovation within the creative department.
• Champion a culture of inclusivity, creativity, and curiosity, where every team member feels empowered to contribute ideas and take risks.
• Recruit top creative talent, ensuring the team continues to grow with individuals who are passionate, curious, and driven by the desire to produce transformative work.
• Be the creative ambassador for Highwire, leading client engagements and presentations with a clear vision of how creativity can elevate their brand.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key clients, acting as a trusted creative partner and pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

Requirements

• 15+ years of creative experience, with a proven track record in a senior creative leadership role within a top-tier agency or in-house team.
• Exceptional portfolio of work showcasing creative ideas that have driven successful, high-impact campaigns across multiple channels.
• Strong conceptual thinker is passionate about bold, transformative ideas that make a cultural impact.
• Demonstrated experience leading large, integrated creative campaigns with a strong understanding of how strategic communications, digital, strategy, and content work intersect with creative.
• Excellent leadership and team-building skills, with experience mentoring and inspiring creative talent.
• Strong presentation skills, with the ability to articulate and sell creative concepts to clients and internal teams.
• Proven experience leading new business pitches, from developing big ideas to presenting to prospective clients.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Deep understanding of creative trends, platforms, and emerging technologies, with the ability to apply them in meaningful ways for clients.
• Demonstrable appreciation for the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion within creative work.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in tech PR or related fields.
• Familiarity with data-driven creativity and insights.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Merit-based bonuses and promotions
• Hybrid work model to suit your schedule and lifestyle
• Excellent vacation policy including an extended break for summer and winter holiday
• Participate in Empower Hours on Fridays; Team has the ability to log off by 3 pm
• 401K Match
• Medical and dental benefits/ FSA
• Paid Parental Leave
• Commuter Benefit
• Home office equipment stipend
• Growth Mindset Stipend of $100 annually for books, exhibitions, etc.
• Technology reimbursement
• Wellness benefit
• Donation Match
• Full-time writing Coach
• Mentorship
• Monthly recognition programs
• Employee referral bonus
• New business referral bonus
• Quarterly Highwire fun events - Thanksgiving is our favorite holiday
• Dog-friendly work environment
• Extremely supportive, nurturing environment with many opportunities for learning and growth