Creative Director chez Christianity Today

Description

The Creative Director is a central strategic and creative leader who partners closely with the Chief Creative Officer to translate Christianity Today’s (CT) creative vision into cross-platform execution. This role sits at the intersection of brand strategy, creative direction and team leadership, ensuring that CT’s visual identity and creative output are excellent, cohesive, and forward-looking.

The Creative Director leads a multidisciplinary design team, partners strategically with editorial, marketing, mission advancement, and advertising teams, and plays a key role in maintaining brand cohesion in all the design work, bridging vision and execution. 

Functions and Responsibilities

Creative Vision & Brand Stewardship

• Partner with the CCO and director of product design to define, evolve, and articulate CT’s creative vision across all mediums
• Ensure the creative vision is translated into accessible brand standards that support all designers in executing the visual expression of CT’s brand, leading to consistency and excellence across all touchpoints
• Champion cross-platform storytelling and develop design systems that support scalable, unified creative work
• Lead regular creative reviews to maintain high standards of quality and alignment with organizational goals

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Directly manage most of the design staff. Ensure their development as designers and creatives.
• Co-Lead with the director of product design to mentor a multidisciplinary design team (print, digital, production, junior designers), cultivating a collaborative and high-performing creative culture
• Provide creative direction and feedback to internal designers and external contributors (illustrators, photographers, studios)
• Partner closely with operations and project management teams to ensure priorities, timelines, and resources align with strategic objectives
• Act as a creative integrator across departments—bridging design, editorial, marketing, mission advancement and advertising to ensure cohesive storytelling and brand experience
• Responsible for adhering to monthly and yearly budgets for design department. Also for maintaining partnerships with regular contractors

Audience Insight & Innovation

• Collaborate with audience development, editorial, and marketing teams to ensure creative initiatives are informed by audience insights and market fit
• Engage with research, analytics, and performance data to identify opportunities for innovation, design evolution, and new creative formats
• Stay informed on trends in media, design, technology, and consumer behavior, applying insights to CT’s creative strategy

Direct & Design

• Direct art and design for print, online, and various other projects
• Execute design on select projects as needed/desired
• Perform additional job-related duties as assigned

Requirements

Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in publishing, creative strategy, product development, or media innovation roles.
• Background in editorial design, branded content, marketing strategy, or creative operations is highly necessary.
• Demonstrated success guiding cross-functional creative projects from ideation through execution.
• Proven ability to lead through influence in a matrixed or collaborative team environment.
• Experience working with branded content, advertising, and sponsored campaigns is preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong editorial and visual judgment with an instinct for storytelling, brand voice, and design systems.
• Skilled at translating vision into actionable strategy, aligning diverse stakeholders, and driving creative execution.
• Insight into trends in media, design, technology, and consumer behavior.
• Familiarity with publishing workflows, audience development strategies, and emerging media platforms is preferred.
• Comfortable presenting creative concepts and strategies to internal and external stakeholders is preferred.

Employment Details

• CT headquarters are located in Wheaton, Illinois
• Work Location: Remote
• Type: Full time, 37.5 hour workweek
• Classification: Salaried, Exempt FLSA status
• Benefits: CT offers a comprehensive benefits package - check out our careers page to learn more

Exact compensation may vary based on experience, skills, and location.