Senior Art Director

Akcelo is an independent, award-winning creative agency founded in Sydney, Australia in 2019. When it was time to expand, we chose to open up our North American office in Vancouver (not Toronto) in 2021. In just over 6 years, our team has grown to 200 people globally, working collaboratively across Canada, the US, the UK, and Australia. We build brands for the experience era - creating unique, end-to-end experiences that connect across the customer journey. Our integrated in-house capabilities span strategy, creative, design, content, technology, and activation.

The Role

We’re looking for an experienced, conceptual Senior Art Director to join a growing creative team in Vancouver. A creative who wants to build their book by working on globally recognized brands, while helping build Akcelo’s Northern office. An AD who wants to be an integral part of a (for now) small creative team, and help grow it. Someone who can come up with exciting, strategically-rooted ideas from a strong insight. A creative who wants to shape those ideas, visualize them, give them their own look and feel while keeping them rooted to a brand’s identity. A collaborator who wants to see their ideas through to the finish, but see them improved upon by directors, editors, illustrators, designers and creatives of all kinds.

We want someone who pushes for better, brings bold thinking, collaborates across disciplines, owns their work, believes in their ideas and wants to create iconic work for iconic brands in every medium. 

Key Responsibilities

Creative & Craft

• Lead visual ideation and art direction across campaigns, platforms and experiences
• Attend and oversee film shoots to ensure the creative vision comes to life, and collaborate closely with editors and colourists to hone in on the best possible output
• Inform bold, modern design systems and visual languages
• Push the creative to the highest level of craft and innovation
• Stay ahead of cultural and design trends, bringing fresh thinking into the work
• Utilize AI tools to help you articulate your ideas, effectively and efficiently, so you can spend more time on your craft - constant curiosity and self learning is required due to the speed in which the tools evolve
  

Team & Leadership

• Collaborate with writers, strategists, designers and producers to create breakthrough ideas
• Help guide and direct more junior creatives, and freelancers
• Lead by example, raising the bar across all creative outputs

Client & Delivery

• Present work with clarity, confidence and energy
• Think proactively about client needs (not just agency awards)
• Own creative quality from concept through to final delivery
• Translate strategy into compelling solutions
• Contribute to new business pitches and proactive ideas

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience (6+ years) as an Art Director in an agency environment
• A strong portfolio showcasing craft, innovation and cultural impact (please do not apply without a portfolio website)
• Deep expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma and design tools
• Strong understanding of integrated campaigns across digital, social and brand
• Ability to think conceptually and execute at a high level
• Collaborative mindset with strong communication skills
• Ambition, curiosity and a drive to do the best work of your career

Our team works collaboratively in office 4 days/week, work from anywhere Wednesdays, and some travel within the US and Canada. We offer a competitive benefits package, including 4 weeks vacation, personal/sick days, and a global advantage where after your workplace anniversary, we provide opportunities to work for a week from our Sydney, Australia office; Vancouver, Canada office; or from wherever you want to tack on to your personal travel plans.

Ready to join us?

If you’re excited by the fusion of creativity, culture, sport, entertainment and brand experience - and you’re ready to help shape what comes next for some of Australia’s most ambitious brands - hit the apply button now!

Akcelo is committed to nurturing, creating and building a diverse environment. We encourage all applications from diverse backgrounds, identities, beliefs and abilities to apply for this or any role with us. If you resonate with the above, send in your CV, and let’s explore this journey together!