
Associate Creative Director
Caterpillar Inc.
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Office
Location: Chicago • Illinois • United States
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Salary
💰 $128,470 - $192,710 per year
Job Level
Tech Stack
About the role
- Leverage understanding of assigned clients/lines of business and Caterpillar overall to develop innovative concepts and holistic, data-driven solutions that deliver results.
- Effectively translate business partner needs into smart, measurable, creative approaches.
- Consistently demonstrate strategic thinking with informed ideas that yield best-in-class solutions.
- Partner with Creative Director, as well as fellow ACDs and account management colleagues to ensure creative content complies with corporate business and brand standards.
- Ensure consistent high levels of quality creative output and productivity from team members while complying with project schedules and workflow processes.
- Review creative work developed by Art Directors and graphic team members (from concept to completion) for strategic integrity and to ensure that creative quality and brand standards are consistently met.
- Deliver objective feedback to creative team members—regularly offering guidance, coaching, and opportunities for growth.
- Exercise independent thinking and creative judgment, with minimal oversight by Creative Director in the development of concepts, campaigns, and daily project-related decision making.
- Responsible for content development on your own set of assigned projects—effectively managing your own workload, distinguishing priorities, and driving deliverables to timely completion.
- Review new concepts and ideas with Creative Director, working in close collaboration with the project team to ensure materials are “client ready” in advance of presentations and/or reviews.
- Participate in and sometimes lead creative presentations—effectively representing concepts and recommendations to influence sell-through to internal clients.
- Manage workflow and delivery of materials executed by Art Directors and graphic team members so project timelines and budgets are consistently met.
- Keep account and project management colleagues informed regarding the status of creative output—particularly as it affects client project schedules, budgets, commitments, and outcomes.
- Play an active role in supporting project initiation including work proposals, brief development, forecasting of hours and expenses, and pitching of proposals to clients.
- Responsible for day-to-day oversight of Art Directors and contractors as needed.
- Estimate and ensure the timely availability of resources for successful project execution; keep Creative Directors, Account Management, and Creative Operations colleagues informed regarding the availability of resources as it relates to forecasting for future projects.
- Regularly monitor performance, providing objective feedback to team members regarding their effectiveness in compliance with Caterpillar’s performance management practices.
- Ensure accurate, timely submission of weekly timesheets from every individual within the editorial/copy and video functions.
- Provide steady management, mentoring, and talent-development opportunities to direct reports.
- Consider employees’ interests and development needs when determining work assignments.
- Be accessible to them to help address issues and resolve problems.
- Inspire individuals and the team overall to achieve higher levels of performance.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree combined with relevant experience working in a creative position with an external agency, or in-house, corporate environment or equivalent working experience
- Proven track record developing integrated content across multiple channels including print, digital, social, video, photography, and live events.
- Expertise in brand development, including a strong understanding of how to integrate the corporate brand and brand voice throughout all aspects of the work.
- An impressive portfolio that demonstrates originality, innovation, and multi-disciplinary thinking.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and guide others under pressure, maintaining quality and attention to detail while managing multiple concurrent projects—keeping all balls in the air.
- Strong attention to detail, combined with excellent communication and the ability to prepare and deliver compelling presentations.
- A natural team player who prioritizes the performance and success of the team ahead of personal success.
- Experience managing direct reports, fostering talent development and growth is preferred—minimally, management of assorted creative freelancers and/or contract resources.
- Expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud programs.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
- Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
- 401(k) savings plans*
- Health Savings Account (HSA)*
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
- Health Lifestyle Programs*
- Employee Assistance Program*
- Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
- Career Development*
- Incentive bonus*
- Disability benefits
- Life Insurance
- Parental leave
- Adoption benefits
- Tuition Reimbursement * These benefits also apply to part-time employees
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
content developmentbrand developmentintegrated contentcreative directionproject managementperformance managementmultidisciplinary thinkingattention to detailpresentation skillsteam management
Soft Skills
strategic thinkingcommunicationmentoringcollaborationproblem-solvingcreativitytime managementleadershipadaptabilityteam player