Associate Creative Director, Design at Monks

Job description

Please note that we will never request payment or bank account information at any stage of the recruitment process. As we continue to grow our teams, we urge you to be cautious of fraudulent job postings or recruitment activities that misuse our company name and information. Please protect your personal information during any recruitment process. While Monks may contact potential candidates via LinkedIn, all applications must be submitted through our official website ( monks.com/careers ). About the Role As an Associate Creative Director of Design, you’ll help shape and execute world-class digital experiences for a Portland-based global sports wear company. You’ll sit at the intersection of creative thinking and exceptional design craft, translating brand ideas and business objectives into compelling digital experiences across campaigns, platforms, products, content, and commerce. You’ll be a hands-on design leader—equally comfortable establishing a visual direction, building in Figma, directing designers, collaborating with multidisciplinary creative teams, and presenting work to clients. We are looking for someone with exceptional digital craft, strong conceptual thinking, and a curiosity for how emerging technologies and AI can push both the creative process and the work itself forward. Responsibilities: Shape and execute creative and design direction across digital campaigns, platforms, content ecosystems, commerce, and interactive experiences. Design at a high level in Figma, creating and refining key screens, components, prototypes and user journeys. Translate brand strategy, creative concepts, and business objectives into compelling digital experiences that balance storytelling, functionality, and user needs. Develop design approaches that leverage brand standards and systems to deliver new digital experiences and consumer touchpoints. Partner with Creative Directors, Design Directors, copywriters, strategists, UX designers and account managers to develop creative. Lead design work from early concept and exploration through detailed execution, production, and launch, protecting the integrity of the idea throughout the process. Direct and mentor designers, providing clear feedback and hands-on guidance that strengthens both the work and individual craft. Use AI fluently throughout the creative process for ideation, visual exploration, prototyping, and rapid experimentation. Explore emerging creative technologies, automations and workflows that enable teams to prototype faster, expand creative possibilities, and elevate the quality of the work. Build prototypes and proof-of-concepts using Figma, AI tools, rapid-build environments, and other modern design technologies. Collaborate closely with UX and strategy to ensure visual design and creative ambition translate into intuitive, feasible, and beautifully executed journeys. Present creative and design thinking to client stakeholders, clearly articulating the rationale behind design decisions and building confidence in the work. Balance ambitious creative thinking with the realities of usability, accessibility, scalability, performance, timelines, localisation, translation and technical requirements. Review work throughout the design and production process to maintain a consistently high standard of craft through final delivery. Stay connected to developments in digital design, AI, technology, sport, fashion, entertainment, youth culture, and the broader visual landscape. About You The essentials: 8+ years of experience in digital design, visual design, or creative roles within an agency, studio, or sophisticated in-house creative environment. A portfolio of exceptional craft made both inside and out brand standards, complex design systems, and component libraries, across websites, mobile, and e-commerce. Ranging from apps, platforms, campaigns, or interactive work. Expert proficiency in Figma, with the ability and desire to remain highly hands-on in the work. Mastery of core design fundamentals, including typography, grid, hierarchy, composition, layout, color, interaction, copy, narratives and digital-first visual storytelling - demonstrating pixel perfection of every crop, every word and every full stop. Strong conceptual thinking with the ability to take an idea from early exploration through polished digital execution. Experience translating established brand identities into distinctive digital experiences, visual systems, and consumer touchpoints. Hands-on experience with AI tools across the creative process, with strong judgment around when and how to use them to improve ideation, exploration, prototyping, and execution. Strong understanding of UI and UX principles and the ability to balance visual craft with functionality and intuitive user experiences. Experience developing and working within digital design systems, including components, patterns, libraries, and scalable visual frameworks. Experience directing and mentoring designers while remaining actively involved in the craft and execution of the work. Ability to collaborate effectively across creative, copy, strategy, UX, production, and account teams. Strong presentation and communication skills, with the confidence to articulate creative and design rationale to clients and internal stakeholders. Ability to manage multiple creative priorities and maintain a high standard of craft in a fast-paced environment. A collaborative, curious, and low-ego approach to creative leadership. A strong interest in sport, style, entertainment, technology, and youth culture. Not a must, but a plus: Experience working with sports, apparel, footwear, fashion, lifestyle, retail, or other culturally relevant consumer brands. Experience designing for large-scale global brands and complex digital ecosystems. Experience across e-commerce, product launches, seasonal campaigns, and high-traffic consumer experiences. Experience with motion design, 3D, WebGL, or immersive and interactive experiences. Working knowledge of HTML/CSS or comfort collaborating closely with engineering teams. Experience rapidly prototyping ideas through code, AI-assisted development, or other emerging build tools. #LI-Hybrid #LI-SD1 At Monks, we believe in fostering an environment where a diversity of perspectives can thrive. We proactively work to design hiring processes that promote equity and inclusion while mitigating bias. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage qualified applicants, from all backgrounds, who are excited to contribute to our mission. This role is subject to our Return to Office (RTO) policy. If you reside within a commutable distance of one of our office locations, you will be expected to work from the office a set number of days per week. The specific details, including the number of required office days, will be in accordance with the company’s then-current RTO policy, which is subject to change from time to time. What We Offer Benefits Excellent, full coverage medical, dental, and vision insurance - more about our coverage here ! Generous PTO and 15 company-wide holidays 401k with company contribution Paid parental leave Work-life balance with an emphasis on personal well-being Career growth in a disruptor space & entrepreneurial opportunities within the Monks network A globally diverse & inclusive culture with employee resource groups such as S4 Melanin, Pride.Monks, Cultura.Monks, and more! Authentic commitment to DEI efforts and sustainable growth. (Why Sir Martin Sorrell signed The Climate Pledge here !) This role is subject to our Return to Office (RTO) policy. If you reside within a commutable distance of one of our office locations, you will be expected to work from the office a set number of days per week. The specific details, including the number of required office days, will be in accordance with the company’s then-current RTO policy, which is subject to change from time to time. Monks has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what Monks may pay for the position at the time of posting. Monks may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on job-related factors, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status. Salary Range: $136,000 — $155,000 USD About Monks Monks is the global, digital-first, data-driven, unitary operating brand of S4Capital plc, where our culture centers on how we show up for the work and for one another. That begins with the commitment to strive for mastery—taking deep pride in our craft and creating work that sets the bar. In everyday execution, we drive momentum by choosing bold action rather than waiting for certainty. Above all, our teams are stronger together, bringing diverse perspectives into a unified team that communicates with clarity, trust, and mutual respect. This commitment to craft and innovation translates directly into widespread industry acclaim: Monks was named a Contender in The Forrester Wave™: Global Marketing Services and a leader in the 2026 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Global Digital Marketing Agencies. It ranks among Cannes Lions' Top 10 Creative Companies (2022-25) and remains the only partner featured in AdExchanger’s Programmatic Power Players list every year (2020-24). Named Adweek’s first AI Agency of the Year (2023) and The One Show’s inaugural AI Pioneer Organization (2025), Monks was also awarded Business Intelligence Group’s 2026 Excellence in Artificial Intelligence Award in the Human-Machine Interaction Team category. Additionally, Monks.Flow earned AI-based Marketing Solution of the Year at the 2026 AI Breakthrough Awards and a 2026 Global Generative AI Award in the Agentic Marketing Innovation category. Finally, Monks achieved a record-breaking number of FWAs and continues to hold the most of any partner. We are an equal-opportunity employer committed to building a respectful and empowering work environment for all people to freely express themselves amongst colleagues who embrace diversity in all respects. Including fresh voices and unique points of view in all aspects of our business not only creates an environment where we can all grow and thrive but also increases our potential to produce work that better represents—and resonates with—the world around us.

Requirements

Must-haves

Shape and execute creative and design direction across digital campaigns, platforms, content ecosystems, commerce, and interactive experiences.
Design at a high level in Figma, creating and refining key screens, components, prototypes and user journeys.
Translate brand strategy, creative concepts, and business objectives into compelling digital experiences that balance storytelling, functionality, and user needs.
Develop design approaches that leverage brand standards and systems to deliver new digital experiences and consumer touchpoints.
Partner with Creative Directors, Design Directors, copywriters, strategists, UX designers and account managers to develop creative.
Lead design work from early concept and exploration through detailed execution, production, and launch, protecting the integrity of the idea throughout the process.
Direct and mentor designers, providing clear feedback and hands-on guidance that strengthens both the work and individual craft.
Use AI fluently throughout the creative process for ideation, visual exploration, prototyping, and rapid experimentation.
Explore emerging creative technologies, automations and workflows that enable teams to prototype faster, expand creative possibilities, and elevate the quality of the work.
Build prototypes and proof-of-concepts using Figma, AI tools, rapid-build environments, and other modern design technologies.
Collaborate closely with UX and strategy to ensure visual design and creative ambition translate into intuitive, feasible, and beautifully executed journeys.
Present creative and design thinking to client stakeholders, clearly articulating the rationale behind design decisions and building confidence in the work.
Balance ambitious creative thinking with the realities of usability, accessibility, scalability, performance, timelines, localisation, translation and technical requirements.
Review work throughout the design and production process to maintain a consistently high standard of craft through final delivery.
Stay connected to developments in digital design, AI, technology, sport, fashion, entertainment, youth culture, and the broader visual landscape.
8+ years of experience in digital design, visual design, or creative roles within an agency, studio, or sophisticated in-house creative environment.
Expert proficiency in Figma, with the ability and desire to remain highly hands-on in the work.
Strong conceptual thinking with the ability to take an idea from early exploration through polished digital execution.
Experience translating established brand identities into distinctive digital experiences, visual systems, and consumer touchpoints.
Hands-on experience with AI tools across the creative process, with strong judgment around when and how to use them to improve ideation, exploration, prototyping, and execution.
Strong understanding of UI and UX principles and the ability to balance visual craft with functionality and intuitive user experiences.
Experience developing and working within digital design systems, including components, patterns, libraries, and scalable visual frameworks.
Experience directing and mentoring designers while remaining actively involved in the craft and execution of the work.
Ability to collaborate effectively across creative, copy, strategy, UX, production, and account teams.

Nice-to-haves

None flagged.

Application prep

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Keywords to mirror

figmaaiaccessibilitydesign systems

Platform: greenhouse
Effort: quick

Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

Dental

Vision

401k

Pto

Parental Leave