Associate Creative Director Art Direction

FULL TIME / HYBRID / SAN DIEGO CA

Were Raindrop a creative agency built for brands that want to stand out and create marketing that people love. Were scrappy sharp and slightly obsessive (peep our prop closet). From breakout DTC legends like Dr. Squatch to household names like Native we help brands grow scale and create IMPACT (boom pow).

Our team punches above its weight because we hire people who care. About the craft about our clients about each other and about making things were proud of.

Were looking for an Associate Creative Director (Art) who can own a visual story from pitch to post. Youll lead photo and video campaigns shaping everything from wardrobe and set design to those tiny touches that make the work feel effortlessly on brand. Youll concept ideas that bring briefs to life mentor junior creatives and collaborate with talented writers smart strategists snappy photographers and visionary directors. Youll make sure the final product doesnt just meet client needs it raises the bar and looks damn good doing it.

The Work

Lead Art Direction from Concept to Execution: Provide visionary leadership across all stages of creative development from concepting and pitching to crafting and executing production design elements such as wardrobe set design locations and talent.

Champion Hyper-Creativity and Strategic Thinking: Generate bold innovative ideas that push creative boundaries while solving complex brand and storytelling challenges for our clients.

Collaborate Across Departments: Partner seamlessly with creative strategy and production teams to ensure cohesive high-impact campaign execution.

Drive Visual Alignment: Oversee and produce detailed moodboards and visual references that communicate the creative vision clearly and inspire teams throughout production.

People manage and Mentor Creatives: Manage mentor and motivate junior art directors and designers providing clear feedback guidance and support to foster creative growth and accountability.

Balance Creativity with Discipline: Maintain sharp focus on timelines budgets and deliverables ensuring every project meets both creative excellence and operational efficiency.

Direct Integrated Campaigns: Lead the art direction of large-scale multi-channel campaigns across film digital social and print ensuring a consistent and elevated aesthetic across all outputs.

Inspire Through Ideation: Facilitate high-energy creative sessions that encourage experimentation originality and breakthrough thinking across teams.

Oversee Quality and Refinement: Review refine and approve all major visual deliverables safeguarding the integrity of the creative vision and brand strategy.

Align Vision with Business Goals: Expertly balance artistic ambition with client objectives translating brand strategy into compelling visual storytelling.

Own Production Design: Lead the development of production design for each project including set design and builds backdrops flat lays prop sourcing and styling (product food or environment).

Guide Production Design Teams: Oversee production designers ensuring they have the clarity resources and direction needed to deliver on the creative vision in fast-paced environments.

Collaborate in Pre-Production: Partner with producers during pre-production to identify and secure the right locations set pieces and design elements that align with the visual tone and story of the project.

Lead Art Direction from Concept to Execution: Provide visionary leadership across all stages of creative development from concepting and pitching to crafting and executing production design elements such as wardrobe set design locations and talent.

Champion Hyper-Creativity and Strategic Thinking: Generate bold innovative ideas that push creative boundaries while solving complex brand and storytelling challenges for our clients.

Collaborate Across Departments: Partner seamlessly with creative strategy and production teams to ensure cohesive high-impact campaign execution.

Drive Visual Alignment: Oversee and produce detailed moodboards and visual references that communicate the creative vision clearly and inspire teams throughout production.

People manage and Mentor Creatives: Manage mentor and motivate junior art directors and designers providing clear feedback guidance and support to foster creative growth and accountability.

Balance Creativity with Discipline: Maintain sharp focus on timelines budgets and deliverables ensuring every project meets both creative excellence and operational efficiency.

Direct Integrated Campaigns: Lead the art direction of large-scale multi-channel campaigns across film digital social and print ensuring a consistent and elevated aesthetic across all outputs.

Inspire Through Ideation: Facilitate high-energy creative sessions that encourage experimentation originality and breakthrough thinking across teams.

Oversee Quality and Refinement: Review refine and approve all major visual deliverables safeguarding the integrity of the creative vision and brand strategy.

Align Vision with Business Goals: Expertly balance artistic ambition with client objectives translating brand strategy into compelling visual storytelling.

Own Production Design: Lead the development of production design for each project including set design and builds backdrops flat lays prop sourcing and styling (product food or environment).

Guide Production Design Teams: Oversee production designers ensuring they have the clarity resources and direction needed to deliver on the creative vision in fast-paced environments.

Collaborate in Pre-Production: Partner with producers during pre-production to identify and secure the right locations set pieces and design elements that align with the visual tone and story of the project.

The Ideal Team Player

• 8 years of Art/Creative Direction including production design
• A creative thought leader bringing fresh ideas and visual directions to each project
• Expert knowledge and usage of:
• Photoshop (masking retouching)
• Illustrator
• InDesign
• Figma/ Google Slides
• SketchUp
• Delegates tasks strategically and follows up to ensure completion of tasks
• Comfortable with (AR/VR AI-assisted design)
• Understanding of cinematography and photography and social media.
• Commitment to timely communication and excellent written and verbal skills.
• Tech-savvy and comfortable with project management tools such as Clickup Dropbox and Google Drive
• Expert Presentation skills
• Can lead a team/department
• Agency and/or in-house marketing experience

• $100000 - $115000 DEO
• Medical Dental & Vision Insurance - generous employer contribution
• 401(k) plan to invest in your future
• New Hire stipend to support flexible working arrangements
• Internal professional development and mentoring opportunities
• 15 vacation days in your first year with additional days earned as your tenure grows
• 10 paid company holidays plus 2 flexible holidays of your choice
• Holiday Leave
• Parental Leave Benefits to support you and your family

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

Raindrop is an equal opportunity employer committed to intentionally building a diverse team that values the varied backgrounds experiences perspectives and skills of all human beings. The best work and team culture is accomplished through inclusivity dedication to equity and celebrating individuals showing up as their authentic selves.

If you need assistance or accommodation in the application process due to a disability please contact or at and they are happy to assist.

Required Experience:

Director