Associate Creative Director - Art

As an ACD, Art, you will... 

Work with your creative partner to ideate concepts, build brands, and execute designs for a variety of communications, both print and digital. You will create solutions that have a business impact on our clients and a meaningful impact on people. Your role is to consistently create and inspire others to deliver world-class, unexpected creative solutions and narratives that are strategically rigorous and executionally efficient.

Be Accountable and Responsible for:

• Brand Architecture: Architect the visual systems, design languages, and structural messaging frameworks for diverse life sciences clients.
• Modular Systems: Build modular, scalable brand platforms that maintain brand integrity across channels and customers for high-volume personalized content.
• Scientific Translation: Translate complex clinical data and brand strategies into compelling visual narratives and persuasive stories.
• Creative Collaboration: Partner across disciplines (Art and Copy) to create foundational creative stories and systems that set the standard for all tactical executions.
• Systems-First Oversight: Oversee creative output to ensure a "systems-first" approach to all design and copy development.
• Insight-Driven Design: Collaborate with strategy and other departments to ensure communications are rooted in deep customer insights.
• Client Stewardship: Navigate senior-level creative reviews with a focus on strategic solutions and establishing scalable brand platforms.
• Leadership and Mentorship: Supervise the work of others—generally 2–4 employees—mentoring junior and mid-level creatives toward systematic, foundational thinking.
• New Business: Contribute to new business pitches from insight-gathering and strategic development through concept creation and client presentation.

These are qualifications we are looking for:

• 8 plus years of proven experience in art direction and design leadership within an AOR agency or design firm
• Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, and/or equivalent work experience
• Mastery of "systems thinking" with a portfolio showcasing scalable, modular design.
• Ability to translate nuanced strategies into elegant and impactful creative solutions.
• Strong background in digital-first design and omnichannel content architecture with expertise in developing component-based systems within tools like Figma.
• Expertise in navigating the balance between creative excellence and strict medical/regulatory guidelines.
• A portfolio that demonstrates elite craft, conceptual firepower, and the ability to handle high-stakes brand stewardship.
• Exceptional presentation skills with the ability to defend ideas and executions to senior stakeholders.

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At MERGE, we’re committed to fostering an environment where our team members can thrive in both their careers and personal lives, ensuring they feel supported and empowered to succeed.

MERGE believes in transparency and equity. In accordance with state regulations, we’re proud to include salary ranges in our job postings to ensure fair compensation practices.

The salary range for this role is [$98,300 - $117,950], based on the individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, location, and other relevant factors. The salary pay range is subject to change and may be modified at any time.  

MERGE is proud to invest in benefits that include meaningful Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401K, Lifestyle Spending Account, Employer Paid Life & Disability Insurance, Flexible Time off & Holidays plus many other benefits and rewards.

Applicants for employment in the US must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States.