Executive Creative Director

FleishmanHillard

Chicago, IL 60617

United States

Posted July 4, 2025

{TEMPORARY,INTERN}

Valid until August 3, 2025

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Job Description

Executive Creative Director - Sports (hybrid, temp-to-hire)

Overview
FleishmanHillard, a global integrated communications agency delivering transformational outcomes for some of the world’s biggest brands, has an immediate opening for a hands-on, self-starting Executive Creative Director to lead creative ideation, concepting, and art/copy direction as we develop fully integrated public relations programs for some of the most beloved brands. This temporary-to-hire role, an integral part of the Gatorade account, will work closely with our global creative leadership team and strategy team to execute earned-first multi-channel campaigns that move the needle in business and in culture. If you have a passion for sports, this role is for you.
The ECD must work collaboratively across FleishmanHillard teams and offices and bring an innovative mindset to client work and business development. This role will partner with, and in many cases lead, our network of talented, creative people who create cutting-edge programs across industries and client needs.
FleishmanHillard believes a diverse team brings a wider range of personal and professional experiences and perspectives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion benefit our agency, our clients, and the communities in which we work and live. To that end, we strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.
Responsibilities

Proactively drive and own the process to generate and sell-in creative, actionable and unique programs rooted in a clear idea and insight, demonstrating in-depth knowledge of client's business and its consumer/audience
Develop and present business-changing earned ideas, executions, assets or other recommendations to executive-level clients and internal stakeholders
Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to identify key insights to help drive creative programming and ensure all concepts are on brief, and align with client business goals
Act as a catalyst to generate and embrace diversity of ideas and thinking across the teams; bring a channel-agnostic approach to creativity, surfacing never-been-done-before technologies, tools, platforms to energize our work
Champion brand positioning at each point of communications, upholding standards of creative integrity and maintaining a consistent brand voice
Ensure the highest level of content quality, message consistency and integrity, and integration into other communication vehicles and processes
Operate as a mentor and advisor, helping creatives develop their talents and achieve their goals while strengthening our team and deepening our capabilities
Foster strategic thinking within the team and consistently drive the team toward the highest possible caliber deliverables
Act as a senior, strategic counselor for clients. Develop and present plans for integrated communications campaigns. Engage in consultative planning to meet business requirements and optimize the brand experience
Work with account team to identify growth opportunities with current and prospective clients
Act as a part of the office’s senior leadership team, and key member of FleishmanHillard’s creative practice, helping to raise the profile of FH’s creative practice through business development and marketing efforts, and by leveraging the deep expertise that currently exists within the team to pursue the significant opportunities that exist in both the local and global marketplaces

Qualifications

Minimum 12-15+ years of experience in leading creative communications programs, with an emphasis on communications and public relations work for clients; experience in food, beverage, CPG and lifestyle brands encouraged
Must be willing to start as a fulltime temporary employee
Strong strategic thinker, with an ability to lead the development of programs for clients and the office that are distinctive, relevant, creative, and measurable
Ability to engage with and counsel senior level decision-makers across the client’s business, and deliver creative insights to assist clients in driving alignment and execution of brand initiatives
Solid team leadership and team-building experience is necessary, including management of local teams and distributed teams. A strong team orientation is critical based on the collaborative culture of the office and FleishmanHillard
Understanding of digital marketing disciplines for integrated strategies (i.e., SEO, Paid Search, Paid Media)
Ability to lead, motivate and inspire teams of both creative, social, and strategy members
Exceptional conceptual thinking
Proven experience presenting and successfully selling in creative concepts
Track record of solving complex brand challenges; strong balance of traditional, innovative, experimental and digital/social experience; proven ability to creatively problem solve
Proven experience in creating stand out creative work, including a strong track record working in the digital and social media space
Ability to lead and drive the best client solutions through ambiguity and adaptable to changing priorities
Extensive agency (PR, advertising, digital, etc.) experience
Committed to cultivating diverse teams and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment

Our Story
We’re more motivated by what we can give than what we receive. That holds true for our colleagues, clients and communities across cultures and time zones. We believe giving our best is only possible in an environment that empowers us to truly be our best, so we focus on creating belonging for all and caring for the whole person. Because when you belong and have what you need to thrive — both at work and in life — you’re free to be you. To pursue your dreams and passions. To be bold and try new things, in the name of personal and professional growth and of work that leads to meaningful progress for the world. So, we respect and support one another amid differences and we acknowledge and celebrate who each of us is. We accept that we don't all have to have the same perspectives, beliefs, background or experiences to do great things together. A combination of our employee experience, industry-leading client work, global community service and contributions to inclusion has earned FleishmanHillard recognition as 2021, 2022 and 2023 Campaign Global PR Agency of the Year; 2023 ICCO Large Agency of the Year – The Americas; 2022 and 2023PRWeek U.S. Agency of the Year; 2022 and 2023PRWeek U.S. Outstanding Extra-Large Agency of the Year; 2023 Campaign US PR Agency of the Year; 2021 PRovoke APAC Consultancy of the Year; and 2021 PRWeekUKLarge Consultancy of the Year. FleishmanHillard is part ofOmnicom PR Group and has nearly 80 offices in more than 30 countries, plus affiliates in 45 countries.
FleishmanHillard offers a hybrid work model and seeks employees who are comfortable working in the office for a portion of their week, in accordance with their local office hybrid work policy. We value the collaboration and camaraderie that in-person interactions provide, but also understand the importance of flexibility and balance in our employees’ lives. We acknowledge that our people are diverse individuals with unique circumstances and needs, and therefore our goal is to foster a productive and inclusive work environment where all employees can thrive, both in and out of the office.
FleishmanHillard is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sex stereotyping, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, military or veteran status, alienage, citizenship status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected class under federal, state or local laws. Please do not contact the office directly to apply – only resumes submitted through this website will be considered. If you need assistance reviewing career opportunities or completing an application, please email our careers team or call 314-982-1700 and ask to be connected to Talent Development.
The anticipated U.S. salary range for this position is $118,000 - $240,000
Salary is based on a range of factors that include relevant experience, knowledge, skills, other job-related qualifications and geography. A range of medical, dental, vision, 401(k) matching, paid time off and/or other benefits also are available.