Creative Director Strategic Communications

Posted Mar 1

Job Summary:

Aptive is seeking a full-time visionary Creative Director to direct and manage strategic direction and creative ideation for a leading federal client in the suicide prevention and mental health sector. The Creative Director will support our Communications and Marketing team to create engaging, impactful brands, campaigns, and ideas that change audience perceptions around suicide and inspire people to seek help when needed.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Creative Director will be responsible for defining, leading, and managing the creative philosophy, vision, and output for the client. They will cultivate and maintain a collaborative, welcoming, inspiring, and respectful environment that encourages strategic and unexpected ideas.

This position requires strong understanding of all types of print and digital advertising and marketing assets, as well as the ability to rapidly develop a deep understanding of the clients’ unique challenges and needs and tailor strategies and products to meet them.

This senior-level, full-time position is remote, but may require on-site work at Aptive in Alexandria, Virginia, and presentations at the client site. This position is contingent on proposal award.

Duties

Oversee the project creative team and chart a path forward for continued growth in capability, headcount, innovation, and industry recognition.
Own creative strategy and ideation, working with the project managers and the larger team to develop foundational strategies and specific concepts that will achieve client goals.
Collaborate with in-house and freelance strategists, analytics experts, technologists, and marketing specialists to create compelling campaigns and stories that appeal to diverse Veteran subpopulations, including youth, women, and rural populations.
Proactively monitor the quality of creative products being produced and submitted, including images, graphics, banners, videos, audio recordings, and written content.
Oversee development of creative briefs and overarching creative concepts for campaigns and other deliverables in collaboration with other Aptive team members.
Oversee and directly develop copy options in an efficient manner, collaborating with clients, project managers, designers, and media buyers to ensure messaging alignment.
Provide senior level art direction across client and product types, coaching designers to do their best work and pursue distinctive creative executions.
Receive and incorporate constructive feedback, finding creative solutions that align with clients’ vision.
Contribute to Aptive’s business development efforts, helping to capture high value opportunities and write proposals.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university, graphic design, communications, marketing, advertising, creative writing or similar.
10+ years of experience in leading and developing communication products, creative direction, copywriting, and campaign ideation for suicide prevention and/or mental health teams in the public, private or non-profit sectors.
Familiarity with a variety of suicide prevention concepts, practices, and procedures within the Federal sector, especially within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and/or Department of Defense.
Experience developing national-level communication products in the suicide prevention field.
Deep understanding of suicide prevention safe messaging and imagery, including best practices for language and graphic depictions.
Masterful listening and presentation skills, both internally and with clients.
Team management and client-facing experience – proven track record developing successful marketing, advertising, experiential, and/or public relations campaigns.
Experience in directing complex projects involving senior stakeholders and interdisciplinary creative teams.
Expert copywriter with experience developing content for all types of campaign assets, including short educational videos.
Strong understanding of paid digital and traditional advertising, content marketing, experiential marketing, live event storytelling, and other innovative means to engage the audience.
Expert understanding of Section 508 compliance standards.
Exceptional people skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams, clients, personalities, and styles.
Ability to obtain and maintain a public trust clearance.
Legal authorization to work in the U.S.

Desired Qualifications:

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain the rationale behind creative ideas to both clients and internal teams.
Deep knowledge of suicide prevention and public health best practices, strong digital & traditional background and the ability to quickly identify, address, and incorporate emerging trends into campaign development.
Problem solving mentality, with ability to proactively overcome adversity and obstacles.
Familiarity with commonly used style guides, e.g., AP.
Ability to solve an array of challenges using professional, understandable concepts.
Ability to resolve complex issues quickly and work in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving environment.
Capable self-starter with a drive to get all types of work done with high attention to detail.
Excellent ability to communicate across most mediums and settings.
Strong time management, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

Client Information:

The VA Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (OMHSP), Suicide Prevention Program (SPP) seeks to reduce and prevent suicide within the military and Veteran populations through an evidence-based approach to integrated care models that address medical, behavioral, and social health.

About Aptive:

Aptive is a modern federal consulting firm focused on human experience, digital services, and business transformation. We harness creativity, technology, and culture to connect people and systems to impact the world. We’re advisors, strategists, and engineers focused on people, above all else.

We believe in generating success collaboratively, leaving client organizations stronger after every engagement and building trust for the next big challenge. Our work inspires people, fuels change and makes an impact. Join our team to be part of positive change in your community and our nation.

EEO Statement:

Aptive is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran status, age, disability, or any other protected class.

Veterans, members of the Reserve and National Guard, and transitioning active-duty service members are highly encouraged to apply.

COVID 19 Vaccine Statement:

This position supports a federal government contract and is subject to government vaccination mandates or other customer vaccination requirements. All new hires are required to report their vaccination status and proof of vaccination, or an adjudicated accommodation may be required for employment.