Senior Art Director - #441020

Company Description

Citizen is a global communications agency built by and for the Modern Citizen. We wake up each morning inspired to make every conversation count, partnering with clients to grow their brands and positively impact culture. Across offices and disciplines, this is our single-minded mission.

We know our name comes with a responsibility - to our fellow Citizens inside our walls and around the globe. We live by the values of the Modern Citizen; one who is courageous, builds up rather than breaks down, and puts their efforts towards conversations that count. Conversations that inform, educate, or make life easier for our fellow citizens. We champion equity. We set the standard. We do what’s right. We believe that conversation leads to action, and action leads to impact.

About The Role

If you’re looking to spend your days making :30 tv spots, we wish you all the best but this isn’t the right role for you.

But if you’re someone who sees the lines blurring between channels and disciplines and doesn’t really give a shit about labels, so long as they can do work that ends up in Mashable, the New York Times, or that their Nana sees on the nightly news... please introduce yourself.

We’re looking for idea-obsessed cultural sponges. Someone with courage to tell it how it is, not how they know the client wants to hear it. We value calculated risk-taking and nerdy passion for your craft.

But above all, we’re looking for good humans and great teammates. Because around here, we win together. Our mission is to “make every conversation count”, internally and for our clients. We do that by listening. Hard and intently. We aim to lead with our ears, not our egos.

As a Senior Art Director you will:

• provide both visual (art direction) and conceptual expertise.
• understand the nuances of developing ideas through conversation-sparking earned lens
• partner to develop creative concepts that meet the project's overall objectives
• implement & incorporate strategy from the Brief and direction from the Creative Director
• work with the Creative Director, strategist, and broader team to conceive, sell, and execute bold, persuasive messages for our clients
• periodically attend brainstorming and creative planning sessions
• ensure concepts contain tasteful, creative & beautifully crafted art direction and with material accuracy
• prepare and refine concepts for internal and client presentations and provide rationale behind these concepts
• participate in project update/status meetings with project team as required
• keep up to date and informed on the best work within our industry, both home & abroad – continue to hone your ideation and executional skills
  
  

What You Bring To The Table.

• 6+ years of experience
• Team player
• Very strong craft
• Portfolio that demonstrates strong conceptual non-traditional work
• Strong conceptual thinker
• Ability to take direction and feedback
• Ability to give direction and feedback to junior creatives
• Passionate about popular culture, human insight, emerging technologies and design trends
• AI capable (or at least, v curious)
• Attention to detail
• Knowledge of local market and passion for research
• A comfort in presenting your work in a passionate, engaging, and professional manner
• A fundamental belief in pushing past good to get to GREAT.
• Be someone we’d want to be stuck in an airport at 2am with
• Speak human, not marketing
  
  

What’s in it for you:

• The daily opportunity to work on briefs across our N. American network (Tor, Van, LA, NYC,Cincy, Mtl)
• The chance to work at an innovative agency with momentum and tons of runway
• Commitment and investment to add to your (and our) trophy case
• Opportunity and space to chart your career path
• Be part of a “high expectations, high praise” team
• A team that truly has each other’s backs
• A clear growth and development plan
  
  

We Value The ‘whole You’

• An innovative and entrepreneurial work environment that promotes ingenuity and individuality - with the best of colleagues, and the best of clients
• Hybrid work models and flexible hours, plus a work from anywhere policy for short-term stays in other regions
• Generous Vacation starting at 3 weeks + 1 extra week over the holidays
• Agency summer days (exact policy differs per campus and agency)
• Modern, open co-working spaces with coffee & snack bars, located in great city neighborhoods, close to shops and restaurants and easy access to public transport
• Dogs allowed, dedicated Play Room to support families and Private wellness room (in select offices)
• Team social events - holiday parties, seasonal gatherings, weekly happy hours, inspiring speakers and more!
  
  

We are obsessed with learning and being better humans

• In-house learning & development sessions and annual career and growth conversations’
• Access to internal network of opportunities across all agencies
• Internal EDI group(s), programs & initiatives across Plus Company and opportunities to be involved in employee resource group(s)
  
  

Check out our EDI report here to learn more about our work and commitment towards equity.

We invest in your health and wellness:

• Flexible benefits to support your individual lifestyle and life stage – with access to a personal wellness spending account you can use for a wide range of wellness expenses, including gym membership fees, pet care, education expenses, and much more!
• Comprehensive mental health support including access to a virtual mental health therapy clinic providing you with personalized therapist guided iCBT programs and live therapy, access to health clinicians 24/7, and a holistic array of other health and wellness resources to support you and your family.
• Dedicated play rooms for days you need to bring the kids and health and wellness rooms when you need a place to get grounded.
• A responsible sick & personal absence days policy designed so you don't have to worry the moment a personal obligation or emergency arises.
• Maternity leave top up program.
  
  

Expiry Date Notice: This job description expires on (04/30/25)

We’re humbled by the number of talented people who apply to work with us every day. And, we thank each and every one of you. Truly. We’ll reach out directly to those we’d like to meet for an interview.

Creating meaningful work means embracing different perspectives. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on age, colour, ability, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. Not only are these provisions protected by provincial and federal law, embracing difference is what makes Citizen what it is—and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We pride ourselves on our inclusive and accessible workplace. If you need any accommodations during the interview process to make it work for you, let us know.

By joining Citizen, you become part of Plus Company, a unique partnership of forward-thinking creative agencies. As a network, we unabashedly believe anything is possible. Why? Because possibility is what powers the big dreams and limitless drive of an entrepreneur. And entrepreneurial agencies are what we’re made of. A whole network of them.

Employee & Job Applicants Privacy Notice

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