Creative Director
About the Company
APCO is a global advisory and advocacy firm helping leading corporations, foundations and governments navigate a complex world and create lasting impact. Founded in 1984, with one woman’s vision and bold action, APCO has grown into an independent, majority women-owned firm of more than 1,200 employees with work spanning 80 markets around the world. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO is comprised of strategic advisers, consultants and creators, working together across borders and functions, to provide services and expertise on financial, competitive, political and societal issues.
APCO is a trusted partner to bold purpose-led leaders, lawmakers, government officials, NGOs, the media and other stakeholders in the health, energy, technology, transportation & infrastructure and food & consumer products sectors. For 40 years, the firm has provided public affairs, crisis & reputation, impact, corporate reputation and global solutions services. APCO is renowned for its ability to champion clients’ interests and permission to operate, build their reputation and strengthen their standing. APCO’s integrated approach and team of tenacious and empathic talent create connections and winning strategies that accelerate progress and deepen impact.
By bringing diverse people and ideas together, and working beyond traditional boundaries, APCO builds the un/common ground upon which progress is made.
About the Job
As a Creative Director at APCO, you will lead the strategic and creative direction for client accounts, focusing on impactful creative solutions in the public affairs space. Your experience with issues-based campaigns is crucial in addressing complex advocacy challenges, blending creative vision with strategic insight to inspire clients and persuade audiences from grassroots communities to policymakers. You will oversee creative solutions from inception to completion, while mentoring our creative team and expanding APCO’s client relationships and integrated offerings.
Responsibilities
Creative Strategy, Art Direction & Design:
Lead and oversee the development of data-informed and high-impact creative concepts that aligns with APCO’s public affairs and advocacy goals
Drive the strategic and creative vision for client accounts, ensuring campaigns and projects raise awareness, drive behavior change, and influence public opinion
Partnering with copywriters to develop persuasive messaging that connects emotionally with diverse audiences, translating complex topics into compelling narratives
Integrated Campaigns:
Oversee the execution of multi-channel campaigns (digital, social, paid media, experiential) to amplify advocacy messages and achieve maximum impact
Brand Strategy & Leadership:
Partner with Account Managers on brand initiatives, guiding projects from brand positioning, messaging, and tone development to guideline rollouts
Team Development & Mentorship:
Mentor and guide the career paths of art directors and designers, and the broader creative team, fostering a culture of creativity, continuous growth, and high performance
Client Engagement & Business Development:
Represent APCO in client pitches, and actively engage with new and existing clients to build trusted relationships
Use your industry network to drive new or organic growth, positioning APCO as a leading partner for public affairs, issues, and advocacy-driven campaigns
Innovative Offering Development:
Work with creative leadership to create and package new service offerings that align with client needs, enhancing agency capabilities and growth potential
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Build relationships with Managing Directors, practice leads, and account teams, fostering a collaborative environment where creative solutions address client challenges with impact
Industry Trends & Key Issues:
Maintain a strong grasp of current social, political, and public policy issues, leveraging this knowledge to inform and enhance creative work
Qualifications
Minimum 12 years in a creative leadership role focused on art direction and ideation within a public affairs, advocacy, advertising or issues-based campaign environment
Strong history of client relationships and cross-functional collaboration
Bachelor’s degree in Advertising, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field, with a robust portfolio showcasing experience in advocacy, public affairs, integrated campaigns, and issues-based communications
Demonstrated proficiency in crafting persuasive, audience-centered messaging for complex public affairs topics
Familiar with the unique demands of advocacy work, including coalition building, stakeholder engagement, and issues framing
Proven ability to balance advocacy objectives with creative innovation, managing resources and priorities for high-impact results
Strong network within advertising, public affairs and/or advocacy sectors, with a track record of growing business through strategic partnerships and trusted industry relationships
Proven ability to articulate and present creative strategies to clients and teams, translating complex issues into accessible, compelling narratives
Strong knowledge of audience segmentation, paid targeting, earned media strategies, and brand positioning to inform advocacy campaigns
Demonstrated ability to leverage AI tools and stay current with emerging technology trends to enhance design work, optimize workflows, and integrate cutting-edge solutions into projects
