Managing Creative Director Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

GSG is seeking a Creative Director to lead visual and creative strategy across our diverse portfolio of clients — spanning corporate, advocacy, nonprofit, and public affairs work. Reporting to the Managing Director of the L@B, the Creative Director will set the creative standard across client engagements, manage a small team of designers, and serve as a key partner to our communications and account leads.

This is a highly visible, client-facing role for a creative leader who thrives at the intersection of storytelling and strategy. We are looking for someone who can translate complex messages into bold, audience-ready creative while managing multiple fast-moving priorities with precision and confidence.

Creative Leadership & Delivery

• Set and maintain the overarching creative vision for client engagements, ensuring work aligns with client business objectives and GSG's standards of excellence.
• Lead creative ideation sessions with internal teams and clients, generating bold concepts that translate strategic goals into compelling visual narratives.
• Lead the development of storyboards, brand visuals, and integrated creative campaigns from concept through execution.
• Produce expert-level creative deliverables that reflect strategic thinking and visual leadership across print, digital, social, video, and out-of-home formats.
• Present creative strategies and finished work to clients and senior leadership with clarity, confidence, and authority.

Client Service & Account Management

• Serve as the senior creative partner on client accounts; build and maintain strong, trust-based client relationships.
• Lead strategic creative conversations with clients, acting as a trusted advisor who translates insights into bold creative concepts
• Direct timelines, resources, and execution across multiple concurrent projects and accounts, with full accountability for creative success.
• Identify opportunities to deepen and extend client engagements through creative excellence and proactive relationship management.

New Business Development

• Drive the creative development of new business pitches from concept to delivery, leading visual storytelling strategy in client-facing presentations.
• Partner with senior leaders and business development staff to elevate the creative quality of proposals and pitches.
• Work in close partnership with the L@B’s leadership team as the creative engine in business development conversations, co-leading pitches, owning the visual and creative narrative, and serving as a collaborative counterpart in new business meetings and key client engagements.

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Lead hiring and onboarding for creative roles as needed; evaluate team performance to uphold a high standard of creative excellence.
• Foster a culture of feedback, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the creative team.
• Direct external freelancers and creative vendors to supplement team capacity as needed.

Firm Contributions

• Develop a working understanding of how GSG operates as a business and proactively manage accounts to ensure profitability.
• Playing an active role in building GSG's own marketing and brand presence, including the development of agency promotional materials, case studies, and video content that showcase our work and capabilities.
• Contribute to firm-wide initiatives and demonstrate emerging leadership within the organization.

Required

• 15+ years of creative experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership or director-level role at an agency or consulting firm.
• Demonstrated expertise developing and overseeing integrated creative campaigns across digital, social, paid media, print, and video.
• Active hands-on practitioner who creates alongside the team day-to-day — not just a creative director who oversees from above. Portfolio submissions must include recent personal work demonstrating direct execution, not solely work directed or managed.
• Strong creative vision and conceptual skills, with a portfolio that reflects work across multiple client types and industries.
• Experience in strategic communications, public affairs, or creative work within highly regulated industries (e.g., healthcare, energy, finance, government, advocacy). Candidates from consumer or traditional advertising backgrounds without this exposure will require significant ramp-up time.
• Exceptional presentation skills and ability to lead creative strategy conversations with senior leaders and high-profile clients.
• Proven experience managing creative teams and directing freelancers or vendors.
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong project management and organizational capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple shifting priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Preferred

• Experience directing video production and/or motion graphics.
• Working knowledge of AI-assisted creative tools and a genuine curiosity about their application in communications and advocacy work, with the appetite to help shape how and when they add value rather than just adopt them.
• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Marketing, Communications, or a related field — or equivalent professional experience.