Creative Director, Art
San Diego, CA
Creative /
Full-time /
Hybrid
Creative Director, Art
Reports to: Executive Creative Director
Location: San Diego, CA (onsite/hybrid)
ABOUT US
Grizzly is an independent creative agency. We guide brands onward™ to challenge convention and impact culture. We work at the convergence of branding and advertising — blending strategy, design, and storytelling to build deeper connections between brands and people.
We partner with brands pioneering new futures. The trailblazers. The visionaries. The courageous. The businesses of tomorrow who believe in a better world and are hell-bent on building it. Adventurous Brands™ create and lead categories, secure the world’s work, and change how we live. 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 forge connections. We help them navigate an increasingly complex and challenging world. This is how we guide brands onward.
Position Summary:
Grizzly is seeking a Creative Director, Art to lead concept development, art direction, and design execution across a portfolio of ambitious, future-focused clients. As a senior creative leader, you will guide cross-disciplinary teams, develop strategic and visual direction, and champion creative excellence across branding and campaign initiatives.
Creative Directors at Grizzly play a pivotal role in elevating the agency’s work and culture. You will oversee and coach creative team members, manage resources across projects, and engage directly with clients to drive outcomes that are both creatively bold and strategically sound. You are equal parts mentor, maker, and motivator—someone who can shape ideas at the whiteboard, present them with passion, and coach a team to bring them to life.
Candidates must have deep experience in creative direction, design systems, and storytelling across channels. The ideal candidate is highly collaborative, strategically sharp, visually fluent, and deeply comfortable working with B2B and technology brands. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma is essential.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Team Development
- Attract, develop, and retain high-performing creative talent
- Provide clear creative direction, timely feedback, and growth opportunities for team members
- Guide staffing plans, reporting structure, and team resourcing for projects and pitches
- Identify and train future creative leaders within the team
Creative Direction & Execution
- Lead visual direction and design execution across brand and campaign work
- Translate complex client challenges into clear, compelling design solutions
- Ensure every creative output meets the highest standard of craft, clarity, and impact
- Partner closely with strategy and copy leads to ensure cohesive, insight-driven work
Client Collaboration & Presentation
- Build strong relationships with senior clients; serve as a trusted creative advisor
- Present and sell creative concepts with clarity and strategic rationale
- Champion a collaborative, problem-solving approach to client feedback
- Guide new business creative development and pitch execution
Process & Operational Excellence
- Oversee creative workflow, resourcing, and timelines across multiple engagements
- Collaborate with the CCO on creative operations, tools, and systems
- Continuously improve internal processes to support creative excellence and efficiency
- Maintain clarity and consistency in the creative team’s expectations and deliverables
Brand Building & Thought Leadership
- Promote work internally and externally to strengthen Grizzly’s creative reputation
- Ensure top work is submitted for awards and industry recognition
- Partner with marketing to support agency storytelling and brand positioning
- Serve as a mentor and thought leader across the creative department
Qualifications:
- 7+ years in a creative leadership role within an agency environment
- 3+ years working directly with B2B and technology brands
- Demonstrated success growing and mentoring high-performing teams
- Proven skills in brand design, art direction, and system-based creative work
- Expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma
- Strong business acumen and client-facing communication skills
- Proven ability to sell work and lead presentations with clarity and impact
- Ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives in a fast-paced environment
- Collaborative, constructive, and comfortable leading cross-functional teams
Work Requirements
- Must be located within a one-hour drive of San Diego, CA
- Flexibility with schedule to meet client needs
- Domestic and international travel may be required
$165,000 - $175,000 a year
Disclaimer:
This job description outlines the general scope of responsibilities and is not exhaustive. Grizzly is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds. Employment remains at-will and may be modified to align with business needs and legal requirements.
