Creative Director

Instrument is a remote-first digital product and brand experience agency with a team of over 200 talented individuals, organized across four specialized teams. Each team brings its expertise to life through best-in-class work, crafting transformative experiences for our clients. Our shift to a fully remote model has opened new doors for creativity, flexibility, and stronger client relationships. This approach not only strengthens our culture but also allows us to embrace diverse voices, perspectives, and ideas.
We’re passionate about career growth, personal support, and work-life balance—values that are central to everything we do. At Instrument, we foster a culture of safety and belonging that empowers people, celebrates their unique talents, and fuels innovation. We believe our differences make us stronger, and we’re dedicated to cultivating a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Instrument is an equal opportunity workplace - we are dedicated to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
We will work to ensure individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation throughout the hiring process and in the workplace. These adjustments ensure that individuals with disabilities have an equal opportunity not only to get a job, but successfully perform their job tasks to the same extent as people without disabilities.Here, we strive to provide the support, connections, and encouragement to do your best work. Come join us and help create the future!
We’re seeking a hands-on, inspiring leader who’s passionate about shaping innovative and impactful brand identities. Your expertise lies in developing modern, scalable brand systems that resonate across diverse touchpoints. You’re not just a big ideas person; you approach each project with an infectious curiosity about the brand, its audience, and the evolving landscape of design.
As a generative creative, you understand the importance of exploration and iteration in the design process. You embrace the complexity of brand development, using your creative problem-solving skills to craft cohesive identities that tell compelling stories. You thrive in guiding and nurturing your team, creating a collaborative environment that encourages ideation, experimentation, and innovative thinking.
Your ability to build strong relationships with clients and internal teams enables you to navigate the nuances of brand development effectively. You know when to zoom in on the details and when to step back to maintain momentum, ensuring that the brand’s essence is captured in every aspect of its identity.

What You'll Do

• Collaborate with clients and cross-functional teams to assess project needs at each stage, ensuring alignment and progress in brand development.
• Set the standard for conceptual thinking and execution within your team, creating design guidelines and establishing best practices for brand identity and systems.
• Conceptualize, iterate, and refine design solutions, aiming for strategic, elegant, and cohesive brand identities.
• Analyze complex brand systems to distill insights and develop innovative solutions that reflect the brand’s essence.
• Ground your work in a thorough understanding of the client’s vision, leveraging strategic insights to uncover creative opportunities that elevate the brand.
• Inspire and influence your design team with bold, imaginative thinking, encouraging them to expand their creativity and skill sets.
• Create compelling visual presentations that effectively communicate brand concepts, identity strategies, and internal initiatives to clients and stakeholders.
• Maintain clear and proactive communication with team members and clients throughout the project lifecycle, fostering collaboration and understanding.
• Strategically navigate project timelines, business challenges, and the necessity of effective communication within your team.
• Manage multiple projects with a composed demeanor, ensuring quality and consistency across all brand initiatives.
• Encourage diverse perspectives within your team to strengthen collaboration and enhance creativity.

What You'll Bring

• Proven experience leading teams in creating impactful brand identities and systems.
• Strong track record of managing, mentoring, and guiding design teams, providing clarity and direction in their work.
• Experience working with interdisciplinary partners and leaders to drive brand development.
• An inclusive mindset, with the ability to harmonize diverse viewpoints and foster collaboration.
• Skill in overcoming challenges and pushing the team toward inventive solutions.
• A solid foundation in conceptual ideation and visual design tailored to brand building.
• Exceptional verbal and visual presentation skills that effectively convey the design process, approach, and impact.
• A commitment to best practices, combined with a willingness to experiment with bold, unconventional ideas.
• Expertise in current industry tools and adaptability to new technologies.
• Emotional intelligence and awareness, employing varied communication styles to achieve the best outcomes for clients and the team.
• A deep curiosity, humility, and passion for creating outstanding brand experiences.
• A keen interest in experimentation and actively seeking out new technologies that shape the industry, driving innovation and creativity in brand development.

Pay Range

• The expected pay range for this position is $160,000-$185,000 for our base US Region 3*. We have three regional pay ranges that are adjusted for cost of living (US1 +15%, US2 +7.5%, US3 Base), learn more about our pay philosophy and cost of living adjustments

What We OfferFlexible, Hybrid Work EnvironmentGreat Compensation with Annual Reviews (Learn more about our Pay Philosophy)Annual Profit Sharing401(k) Matching with Immediate VestingRobust Medical, Vision, and Accident Insurance Generous Paid Holidays and unlimited PTOSabbaticalsMonthly Wellbeing StipendCareer Management and Leadership Training Apply