Associate Creative Director

Company DescriptionAKA is an integrated communications agency based in Singapore, supporting our clients locally, regionally and globally by conceptualising and bringing to life compelling creative campaigns. Part of our offering is design and production support - from creating on-point infographics for an infant formula brand, through to shooting stylish cinema ads for a travel destination. Everyone at AKA is forward-thinking, collaborative, and passionate about delivering great work for our clients (plus we're a friendly bunch). We enjoy a flat hierarchy and expect everyone - no matter what level - to bring ideas to work every day, speak their mind, and positively contribute to the culture. We're proud to work with some of the world's leading brands - the likes of Durex, Meta, Jetstar Asia, Tourism New Zealand, and Levi's to name just a few.OverviewThe Associate Creative Director (ACD) leads the creative direction, strategic development, and execution of integrated campaigns across brands and industries, inspiring bold, strategically sound work that drives both brand and business impact. A champion of Fearless Creativity, the ACD challenges teams to push boundaries, deliver culture-driving ideas, grow client relationships, support new business, and foster a high-performing, creatively ambitious Studio environment.ResponsibilitiesCraftLead and oversee the development of high-impact creative concepts and executions across digital, print, social media, OOH, and experiential marketing. Demonstrate strong copywriting and storytelling capabilities paired with a strong understanding of design principles, layout, typography, photography, and art direction. Ensure all creative output is strategically aligned and executed to the highest standard.IdeationStrategically guide ideation processes, flexing between creative-led integrated campaigns and social-first concepts with ease. Inspire teams to generate innovative ideas that are relevant, compelling, and strategically sound. Facilitate brainstorms and creative workshops to drive quality thinking and creative output.Project OwnershipTake full ownership of project and campaign delivery from creative direction to execution. Manage resources, timelines, and budgets to ensure successful outcomes. Oversee project scoping, creative reviews, and final approvals, ensuring consistent quality across deliverables. Support new business efforts through proposal development, pitch presentations, and idea generation.Team DevelopmentMentor and grow Senior Creatives and Creatives through active coaching and feedback. Model collaborative, high-performance behavior. Support the professional growth of the team through regular reviews and development planning. Help shape team structure and identify talent needs.Foster an environment of continuous learning, creative excellence, and professional growth. Manage team workloads and capacity planning to ensure balanced and sustainable project execution.Client EngagementAct as a strategic and creative lead for high-value accounts. Build trust and rapport with senior clients through insight, consistency, and elevated creative solutions. Educate and guide clients toward brave, effective creative choices. Lead key presentations and strategic discussions.Business ImpactPlay a pivotal role in supporting agency growth by developing persuasive and innovative creative solutions that address client needs and business goals. Understand how creative work drives client outcomes and proactively propose initiatives that enhance brand and business performance. Build an understanding of fiscal impact and contribution, including informing Comms team leads on Studio billable hours versus working hours to support operational efficiency and profitability.QualificationsProven experience as an Associate Creative Director (Art) or in a senior art/design leadership role.Strong visual storytelling, art direction, and design leadership across diverse mediums.Deep understanding of integrated campaign development, with expertise in crafting compelling visual identities across platforms.Ability to inspire, mentor, and grow design/visual creative teams.High level of communication, presentation, and visual concept pitching skills for client engagement.Strong organisational and project management capabilities, with an eye for detail in creative execution and production quality.Additional InformationAssociate Creative Directors are expected to grow into broader creative leadership roles, taking ownership of major brand relationships, creative strategic planning, and agency leadership initiatives.Key Milestones IncludeLeading full creative portfolios across multiple client accounts.Shaping creative visions and standards for major campaigns.Playing an instrumental role in agency growth through leadership in pitches and client expansion.Preparing to step up into a Creative Director role, where full leadership over creative strategy, team development, and brand impact is expected.