Creative Design Director Job at HudsonLake in Alexandria

Creative Director/Design

HudsonLake (HL) is currently seeking a passionate, agency-trained Creative Director with a design background to join our award-winning, in-house creative team.

This is an important leadership role in a fast-paced working environment. You will focus on running, developing, and overseeing compelling and conceptual visual solutions for high-profile clients. You will be responsible for day-to-day creative work as well as partnering with and overseeing a team of designers and vendor partners. You will be strong in strategy, concepting, directing, design, presenting, quality control and above all else, bringing ideas to life in visually stunning and persuasive ways whether in print, digital or video. In this client-facing role, you will lead by inspiring others and setting a high bar for creative excellence.

You will report to HL’s EVP of Creative. While we’re based in Alexandria, Virginia, this is a fully remote role that requires supporting our coast-to-coast client base across multiple time zones.

Responsibilities

• Partner with account teams to lead strategic concept development by translating client needs and communication strategies into persuasive, high-impact visual solutions across all media (print, digital, and video).
• Manage the daily flow of creative work by overseeing project assignments, deadlines, and quality control within project management tools (e.g., Asana).
• Direct, mentor and inspire the in-house creative team and external vendor partners, providing clear creative direction and maintaining HL’s high standards.
• Build relationships and have daily interactions with our clients, client leads, designers and internal operations teams.
• Be proactive on all calls, confidently pitch and present ideas to clients and internal teams, ensuring clear and persuasive communication throughout the process.
• Manage multiple projects from conception to completion to meet deadlines and budgets.
• Ensure visuals, messaging and interactive elements of a project are properly aligned with the creative vision, brand standards and high quality our clients deserve.
• Be a hands‑on leader, ready to dive into production work and contribute to new business pitches and opportunities.
• Work with operations team and program managers to establish schedules for short- and long-term projects, plan jobs accordingly, and ensure goals and deadlines are met.
• Review and approve client invoices and manage financial aspects related to creative production.
• Champion innovation by proactively exploring new ideas, taking calculated risks, and integrating forward‑thinking technologies (like AI) into creative solutions.
• Partner with the EVP of Creative to drive the creative vision of the firm through all client work and new business opportunities.

Requirements

• Hold a fine arts degree or an undergraduate degree in graphic design, visual communication or a related subject, or equivalent professional experience.
• Have 5+ years of creative direction experience in an agency environment, with a proven track record of working on complex communications issues across all media.
• Have strong supervisory, management and leadership skills.
• Have deep expertise in today’s media landscape—especially video, digital and motion graphics.
• Possess excellent interpersonal skills to clearly and effectively communicate creative vision, concepts, ideas and solutions to stakeholders, internal teams and clients.
• Demonstrate ability to work effectively in a fast-paced team environment, including synthesizing abstract ideas into concrete design implications.
• Experience leveraging AI and emerging technologies for creative applications is highly preferred.
• Work primarily in Central and Eastern time zones.

Additional Benefits

• Competitive healthcare coverage with Aetna Healthcare, including vision, dental and Rx.
• 100% employer-covered premiums on Life insurance, AD&D and LTD (Long-Term Disability).
• 401(k) employer plan with employer safe harbor match and discretionary profit sharing.
• Flexible vacation policy plus all Federal holidays (11).
• Potential of additional compensation through bonus structure.

About Us

HudsonLake is a strategic communications firm solving today’s most complex corporate challenges through a tailored, hands-on approach. We’re a team of nearly 40 professionals where senior talent works together with mid-level and junior talent to deliver our clients customized solutions on highly sensitive matters. We specialize in leadership transitions, workforce issues, and crisis and strategic corporate communications. Driven by strong, talented professionals, we believe creativity is what separates us from our competition. Learn more about our story at hudsonlake.com.

HudsonLake provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type.