Creative Director
Job Title: Creative Director
Employment Type: Full Time, 40 hours/week
Reports to: VP of Brand Marketing
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Type: In-Person
Who We Are
LIFE SURGE is a leading company in the industry of faith-based live events and financial education programs. One of the fastest growing organizations in the country, LIFE SURGE exists to inspire, train and equip people to build their personal impact in ways that glorify God. By producing 30+ annual events and providing financial education to thousands around the nation, we do just that.
We are a team of experienced professionals who are passionate about helping people learn, grow, and connect so they may live more enriched lives. Our culture is one where we celebrate each other, individually and as a team. We look to acknowledge and reward our star performers. Let your light shine in our company!
Opportunity:
We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Creative Director to lead brand storytelling, drive high-impact omnichannel marketing campaigns and deliver transformative design that generates results across our live events and educational businesses. This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a world-class in-house creative team from the ground up.
Join a fast-growing startup on a mission to transform lives through faith-based financial and business education – while shaping the identity of a future household name.
Responsibilities:
Creative Leadership: Lead and inspire the internal creative team in developing and executing creative strategies that align with overall marketing objectives. Ensure brand messaging and visual identity are consistent and impactful across all channels.
Campaign Concepting: Collaborate with cross-functional leadership to develop innovative campaign themes and promotional concepts that resonate with target audiences and build excitement around products and events.
Creative Visualization: Develop compelling visual presentation materials – storyboards, concept boards and mood boards – to effectively communicate and sell creative concepts to stakeholders.
Asset Development Oversight: Oversee the production of a wide range of creative assets including digital content, TV, videos, radio, print materials and more, ensuring they meet quality standards and effectively communicate key messages.
Brand Stewardship: Ensure all creative materials adhere to established brand guidelines, maintaining a cohesive brand identity across all platforms. Lead conceptual development for new branding initiatives as needed.
Project Management: Manage multiple creative projects simultaneously, establishing priorities, managing timelines and ensuring timely delivery of assets that meet campaign goals.
Feedback & Direction: Provide clear, actionable feedback to both internal teams and external partners, guiding creative development and ensuring alignment with campaign strategies and brand standards.
Team Development: Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary creative team – including designers, video producers and project managers – fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and excellence.
Agency Collaboration: Partner with external creative agencies, providing strategic direction while supporting their creative autonomy to develop effective campaign deliverables, including social media and direct response.
Trend Integration: Stay current on design, media and marketing trends, integrating fresh ideas, emerging technologies and new formats into creative planning and execution.
Performance Analysis: Collaborate with analytics and marketing teams to evaluate creative performance, using data insights to continuously improve content effectiveness and audience engagement.
Studio Development: Build and expand in-house studio capabilities for producing podcasts, video testimonials, educational sessions, and more. Define equipment needs, budget requirements, and vendor partnerships to support high-quality production.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Marketing, Advertising, Communications, Fine Arts or a related creative field required. Equivalent professional experience and an exceptional portfolio of work may be considered in lieu of formal education.
15+ years of progressive experience in a creative leadership role, with a strong portfolio showcasing successful marketing campaigns and storytelling across all platforms.
Proven experience in creating and managing direct response creative for B2C retail organizations, with a deep understanding of consumer behavior and the ability to craft compelling messaging that drives customer engagement, conversions and urgency.
Forward-thinking in the application of AI and advanced technologies to elevate storytelling and brand engagement through immersive design solutions.
Ability to manage and motivate creative teams, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment. This role provides ample opportunity to develop junior-level staff and help them broaden their skillset.
A comprehensive understanding of creating effective omnichannel campaigns, tailoring content to each medium's strengths. Candidates should have experience in producing video/film content and managing voiceover recording sessions and talent.
Strong knowledge of branding principles with the ability to maintain brand consistency and integrity across all creative outputs.
Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects while meeting deadlines and maintaining a high standard of quality.
A passion for creativity and a keen eye for design trends, coupled with the ability to think outside the box and develop fresh, engaging concepts.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate creative concepts, provide, and receive feedback.
Experience working in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments preferred.
Background in working for ticketed live events, the Christian market and/or regulated industries (financial education) a plus.
Job Benefits:
Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Holiday, and Paid Time Off.
Non-corporate, casual, entrepreneurial, comfortable, fun, and proactive work environment.
High-level performers, disciplined, and self-motivated people will do VERY WELL in this environment.
LIFE SURGE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and seek to empower each individual while supporting the many perspectives, skills, and experiences within our workforce. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.