ICF is hiring: Creative Director (Visual), Energy Sector in Reston

Creative Director (Art), Energy Sector

What's the most urgent global conversation today? Energy. How we power our homes, cities, carsand our increasingly AI-driven livesisn't just a policy issue, it's a human one. At ICF Next, we help utilities, public agencies, and clean energy pioneers move millions toward more sustainable choices. We're looking for a Creative Director to help lead that charge.

You'll take on a set of marquee client portfoliosdeveloping campaigns that shape public understanding of energy, electrification, and resilience. This is high-stakes, high-impact work, and it demands big ideas, sharp instincts, and bold leadership.

Who You Are

You're not just a makeryou're a leader with vision. A visual major with an art direction background, you understand how images, type, structure, and pacing work together to tell a compelling story. Professionally, you may come from art directionbut you think like a storyteller. You understand how visuals and words work together to move people. You see the story arc in everything, and you know when to lead with imagery, when to lean into language, and how to shape both for clarity and impact.

You elevate creative. You rally teams. You sell ideas with clarity and conviction. You thrive under pressure and adapt fastbecause you know change is constant, and that's where the opportunity lives.

The Role

You'll lead creative strategy and execution for major energy-sector clients inside a large, mission-driven creative studio. From integrated campaigns to social content to video storytelling, your work will span platforms and push thinking.

You'll collaborate with writers, designers, strategists, and account leads to produce work that's as effective as it is ambitious. You'll help steer the creative product and the teamguiding everything from pitch decks to production with rigor, speed, and creative edge.

What You'll Do

1. Lead creative for top-tier energy accounts, translating briefs into breakthrough ideas
2. Develop multi-channel campaignsdigital, social, video, experiential, and earned
3. Mentor and direct creative teams toward high-impact execution
4. Present work persuasively to internal and external stakeholders
5. Operate with urgency, quality, and focus across simultaneous workstreams
6. Bring a growth mindsetadapting to tech, tools, platforms, and shifting priorities
7. Help shape a culture of creative excellence and collaboration

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

• 12+ years of creative experience (agency or studio), including senior-level leadership
• A portfolio that showcases standout conceptual and executional work

Traits We Value

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in energy, sustainability, or behavior-change campaigns (preferred)
• Fluency in emerging creative tech, including AI-supported workflows
• Strong strategic thinking and communication skills
• Comfort leading in dynamic, high-pressure environments
• A reputation for being collaborative, sharp, and easy to follow
• Visionary thinking grounded in strategy
• Ability to inspire, teach, and bring people with you
• Confidence in selling bold ideas
• Agility in the face of change
• Passion for the craftdesign, storytelling, and everything in between
• Drive to lead with excellence, empathy, and urgency

Let's build something powerful. If this sounds like you, send us your resume and portfolio. We'd love to see your work.