Creative Director - Global Marketing & Communications

At Gensler, we design for people. We leverage our global perspective and local presence to innovate at every scale. We’re not just designers. We’re tinkerers, craftspeople, visionaries, innovators, and thought leaders. Fueled by passion and entrepreneurial spirit, our people bring new ideas to solve the world’s most challenging problems, like designing a more resilient, inclusive, and equitable future for our communities and cities.

Our people-centered, “People First” culture and “One Firm-Firm” motto promotes integrated teams that unite to shape the future of cities. Gensler’s vision is to “Create a Better World through the Power of Design,” and we do that by our deep commitment to our clients and by fostering a collaborative, diverse, and inclusive environment that enables our people to create impactful solutions together.

Gensler’s global marketing and communications studio is an award-winning creative team that leads an integrated approach to content marketing, compelling storytelling, and strategic communications that position the firm for growth. We are a highly collaborative team of designers, editors, and marketing professionals who lead our creative and editorial brand and market strategy for the firm and our owned, earned, and internal communications channels. We partner with the Gensler Research Institute to develop, execute, and measure key thought leadership campaigns, such as our annual Design Forecast, Climate Action Through Design, and Annual Report.

Your Role

We are seeking a Creative Director to set a design vision for exceptional storytelling and inspire a team of designers through action-oriented leadership. This is a senior role within our collaborative leadership model, and we would look to our Creative Director to partner with our editorial director, content strategist, and other key partners to bring ideas to life through multiple channels. Reporting to the global director of marketing, you will be actively engaged in a creative process with all levels of leadership, including our Co-CEOs, as both key stakeholders, as well as partners in an iterative design process.

What You Will Do

• Pair a creative vision with our editorial strategy and content marketing efforts across our digital and print channels, elevating storytelling through compelling forms of media (i.e. UX/UI, video, illustration, imagery, presentations, webinars, etc.).
• Lead our team of designers through direct management and oversight for the day-to-day activities, projects, and professional development.
• Prioritize initiatives and ensure our teams are set up for success with processes and systems that enable our designers to find their creative flow.
• Collaborate extensively across our Firmwide and Regional PR, marketing, and communications network; source and oversee any freelancers, as needed.
• Champion the integrity of our brand while seeking opportunities to push it forward, establishing scalable systems, playbooks, and processes for consistent high-quality creative experiences.
• Serve as both coach and player, leading creative sessions with firm leaders while collaborating on deliverables with our team and partners.
• Work alongside Editorial and Content Directors to conceptualize, storyboard, and present topics that align with firm goals for branding, thought leadership, and content marketing.
• Set and uphold the bar for high quality, insightful, and differentiating design work.
• Be a strategic partner with our internal stakeholders, understanding the needs of the practice – and our firm clients – to drive new business.

Your Qualifications

• Minimum requirement of a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, graphic design, visual communications, or related field.
• Proven track-record of leading and growing designers.
• 18+ years of creative design experience and brand strategy; (at least 10 years design direction and management experience), collaborating with and counseling senior executives (C-suite, Managing Directors, Subject Matter Experts, etc.).
• Expert in Adobe Creative Suite
• Broad knowledge of and ability to implement industry best practices, including brand strategy, content marketing, audience engagement, and creative campaign development.
• Experience working with decentralized multi-location, global and multicultural communications teams; experience with multi-lingual communications.
• Portfolio that demonstrates a deep knowledge of brand systems applied across a variety of media (link to portfolio required).
• Experience working in-house for a professional services firm or working for an agency is preferred.
• If the position is located in Los Angeles, CA the base is estimated between $154-$185k and if based out of San Francisco, CA the base is estimated between $160k-$200k. Compensation will also include bonuses and benefits and is contingent upon relevant experience.
• Experience in the design, architecture, real estate, or building industries is highly desired.
• Deep experience in print with understanding of latest print trends and techniques, sustainable methods, and cost management.
• Experience across multiple channels (digital, print, video, UX/UI)—enjoys working on big ideas and small points of execution, and everything in between.

Life at Gensler

Gensler is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Through our Five Strategies to Fight Racism, we continue to create a just and equitable future for our colleagues and our communities with our clients. We are a solid voice for social change as we impact people’s lives and fight racism. At Gensler, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace environment.

At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to “Well-being Week,” our offices reflect our people’s diverse interests.

We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.

As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.