Creative Director, Creative Development

Dentsu is looking for a Chicago-based Creative Director, Creative Development to lead creative strategy and production for shopper marketing and retail activation work for a global beverage alcohol company. In this hybrid role, you will guide concept-to-delivery creative across retail, point-of-sale, experiential activations, and omnichannel commerce touchpoints, while mentoring a multidisciplinary team.

What you’ll do

• Own the creative development of shopper marketing and retail activation programs across national and regional retail environments.
• Create standout concepts for in-store campaigns, seasonal programs, retail promotions, point-of-sale materials, displays, sampling initiatives, and commerce marketing experiences.
• Use shopper insights, retail goals, and brand strategy to craft creative solutions that support purchase decisions at shelf and in-store.
• Oversee creative execution from initial concept through production.
• Collaborate closely with account, strategy, production, and experiential teams to align creative with program needs.
• Lead creative direction for POS materials, retail displays, shopper campaigns, experiential activations, merchandising assets, retail toolkits, and commerce channels.
• Direct and mentor art directors, designers, photographers, illustrators, and production partners.
• Serve as a player-coach while leading and supporting a growing team.

What you’ll need

• 10+ years of experience in advertising, shopper marketing, retail marketing, commerce marketing, or integrated agency environments.
• Proven experience leading shopper marketing, retail marketing, POS, and in-store activation programs.
• Beverage alcohol experience is strongly preferred, and CPG experience is highly relevant.
• A strong portfolio featuring retail, shopper, commerce, experiential, and integrated campaign work.
• Experience developing creative for retail environments and omnichannel experiences.
• Outstanding visual storytelling, conceptual thinking, and presentation skills.
• Experience managing and mentoring multidisciplinary creative teams.
• Retail and/or shopper marketing agency experience.
• Experience supporting beverage alcohol brands sold through retail channels.
• Experience across experiential marketing, sampling programs, and retail activations.
• Experience directing creative across physical retail and digital commerce touchpoints.

Compensation and work details

• Location: Chicago, IL (hybrid)
• Salary: USD 119,000–198,500 per year (base salary range)
• Time type: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent

Benefits

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• 401k
• Flexible paid time off
• At least 15 paid holidays per year
• Paid sick and safe leave
• Paid parental leave

How to apply

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Include a portfolio that shows work made with intention, where you can point to choices beyond outcomes. Click “Apply” at the top of the posting to get started.