DESTINATION DC, There is Only One DC--There is Only One You.

Bring your uniqueness to our team!

POSITION SUMMARY

Reports to: Creative Director

DDC's Marketing & Communications (M&C) team develops creative, brand messaging and marketing strategy for the brand we represent: Washington, DC. Our team includes graphic designers, project managers, a photo and video team, content developers, social media specialists, advertising planners, PR gurus and more. The Associate Creative Director (ACD) is a creative leader on the M&C team, helping to shape and uphold the image of Washington, DC as a world-class destination for locals, visitors, and convention attendees.

As ACD, you will assist the Creative Director with developing and directing a creative vision that champions the Destination DC and Washington, DC brands, while leading and inspiring teams to deliver innovative creative solutions. You will lead and execute projects of all sizes for Destination DC's in-house clients, including print and digital advertising, video, photography, annual publications, sales collateral, event materials, website (washington.org), digital marketing and more. This role oversees a design team of four, with one direct report, our sr. graphic designer.

This is an ideal role for you, if you are an ideas person with a passion for storytelling and proven experience collaborating with cross-functional creative teams to develop impactful work for clients and their brands. While organized, efficient and deadline-centric, you understand the fluid nature of creative work, with fast turnarounds and evolving priorities. A natural people-person with a service-oriented attitude, you are positive, empathetic, flexible, calm and strategic, and use these skills to build strong relationships with key stakeholders, internally and externally.

Most importantly, you believe that developing creative is FUN! Seriously-is there anything better than sitting around with your creative friends, spit-balling ideas until you have that "Ah-Ha!" moment? We take fun and genuine connection very seriously at Destination DC, and we cannot wait to welcome you to our award-winning creative team and see what we can create together!

Your Essential Duties and Responsibilities (include the following, but are not limited to)

Creative Direction

• Oversee and direct execution of companywide projects including advertising, video, photography, sales collateral, presentations, emails, and publications, delivering industry-leading performance in all areas.
• Shape and uphold industry-facing (Destination DC) and consumer-facing (Washington, DC) visual languages in all creative executions, ensuring consistent and cohesive branding across all platforms.
• Push the boundaries of design and storytelling to produce compelling creative work that exceeds client needs and reflects current trends.
• Develop creative that meets overall production budget as well as individual project estimates.

Account Management

• Develop strong working relationships with departmental clients, serving as a creative consultant and trusted partner to help hone their creative vision based on their specific goals.
• Serve as the client advocate within the production process, ensuring each team's unique vision is shared with the creative services team.

Leadership And Team Management

• Oversee the creative process within a multidisciplinary team, ensuring collaboration and cohesion, while supporting and fostering a culture of creativity, excellence and fun.
• Mentor and develop creative team members, sharing your passion for creative, and helping them develop clear career paths and grow their skills and expertise.

Other Duties

• Engage in hands-on design and/or photo and video editing based on skill set and production needs.
• Manage special projects and other duties as assigned by Creative Director, Chief Marketing Officer and/or President/CEO.

What You Bring: Knowledge, Competencies & Skills

1. 7+ years of design, production and marketing experience, preferably in an agency or in-house environment.
2. Strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional visual storytelling.
3. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
4. Demonstrated leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate.
5. Strong relationship-building and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate creative concepts to clients and internal stakeholders.
6. Expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud.
7. Working knowledge of Microsoft 365 tools including SharePoint, PowerPoint and Excel.
8. Destination marketing or hospitality industry experience, a plus!

DESTINATION DC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

We welcome all to apply and are committed to retaining, hiring, developing, and promoting diverse talent. We recognize and celebrate cultural differences within our organization by establishing opportunities for education and allyship.

Please reach out to us if you need accommodations with an application.

About Destination DC

Destination DC, the lead destination marketing organization for the nation's capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of nearly 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism, and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. www.washington.org