Shape how the Smartly brand shows up across campaigns, content, events, digital experiences, and marketing initiatives. Smartly.io is looking for a Creative Director for the Brand & Content team, reporting to the SVP of Brand & Content. This role blends creative leadership, people management, and conceptual thinking to strengthen visual identity and audience connection across touchpoints.
What you’ll do
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of designers, building an environment where people can do their best work and grow their careers
- Create creative concepts and campaigns that support Smartly’s brand and resonate with target audiences
- Deliver clear creative direction and feedback across the full process, from brief through final execution
- Partner with Brand, Content, Product Marketing, Communications, and other stakeholders to turn business objectives into compelling creative solutions
- Increase the quality, consistency, and impact of Smartly’s visual identity across channels and customer touchpoints
- Review and approve creative work to ensure it aligns with strategic objectives, brand standards, and quality expectations
- Develop and refine creative processes, workflows, and ways of working that help the team scale its impact
- Stay current on design, advertising, and cultural trends, bringing fresh thinking and new approaches to the team’s work
What you bring
- Experience leading and developing creative teams, including direct people management responsibilities
- A strong background in graphic design, brand design, visual communication, or a related creative discipline
- Experience as a conceptual Art Director, with a portfolio showing strong campaign thinking and creative problem-solving
- Ability to translate strategy, messaging, and business goals into engaging creative concepts and visual storytelling
- Strong design craft with deep knowledge of typography, layout, visual systems, and brand identity
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders and incorporating feedback from multiple audiences
- Excellent communication, presentation, and collaboration skills
- Capability to balance creative excellence with practical business outcomes
- Consumer-facing brand or B2C marketing experience is preferred, but not required
- Experience in technology, SaaS, or high-growth environments is a plus
Benefits and support
- Five weeks paid time off (PTO)
- 11 company paid holidays
- Unlimited sick days
- Generous healthcare packages & mental health benefits
- 401K with matching & equity grants for all new Smartlies
- Wellness benefits & learning reimbursement opportunities
- Volunteer time off days and company donation matching opportunities
- Annual performance bonus
- Stock options
- Medical/dental/vision insurances
- Retirement savings benefits
- Parental leave
- Life insurance
- Disability benefits
Compensation
$120,000 - $150,000 per year (base pay range). Smartly also provides an annual performance bonus. Final salary is determined based on background, expertise, and experience. Total rewards include stock options, medical/dental/vision insurances, retirement savings benefits, parental leave, 5 weeks vacation, unlimited sick days, life insurance, and disability benefits.
Location: Chicago, IL (onsite)
