Associate Creative Director, Design (Healthcare)

Overview

FWD People is a full-service strategic marketing agency delivering meaningful and measurable results in the health and non-profit sectors. We take pride in being our clients' trusted strategic partner — staying ahead of the curve, and leveraging our expertise and foresight to help them navigate change and seize opportunities. We approach every challenge with a commitment to innovation, excellence, and empathy and we seek the same qualities in our leaders. As a fast-growing, senior team, we're excited to welcome more forward-thinking individuals who will help us drive growth, foster positive change within our client's industries, and have fun along the way.

As Associate Creative Director, Design, you'll lead design thinking and execution across accounts while remaining deeply connected to the craft. You partner with Creative Directors to translate strategy into visually compelling systems and campaigns while mentoring designers and guiding work day to day.

This role is ideal for a senior designer ready to step into broader creative leadership responsibilities.

What You'll Do

• Lead visual design across brand systems, campaigns, and experiences.

• Translate strategic briefs into strong, concept-driven design solutions.

• Manage and mentor designers and Design Supervisors.

• Review and elevate design work to ensure quality, consistency, and brand alignment.

• Collaborate closely with Copy, Strategy, and Account teams.

• Participate in client presentations and creative reviews.

• Navigate feedback cycles while protecting creative integrity.

• Support new business pitches and agency initiatives.

What You'll Bring

• 8–10+ years of design experience within a creative or marketing agency.

• Strong portfolio demonstrating system thinking and campaign work.

• Experience managing and mentoring designers.

• Excellent visual taste and attention to detail.

• Comfort working across digital and print.

• Healthcare, nonprofit, or regulated category experience a plus.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and other relevant design tools.

• Strong communication and presentation skills.

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience in healthcare, pharmaceutical, or biotech sectors.

• Familiarity with brand system development and design guidelines.

• Experience with digital design platforms (Figma, Sketch) and web design principles.

• Understanding of accessibility standards and inclusive design practices.

• Motion graphics or animation skills.

• Portfolio demonstrating award-winning work or industry recognition.

Who You Are

• A creative leader who balances big-picture vision with hands-on craft and execution.

• A skilled mentor who elevates designers while maintaining high creative standards.

• A strategic thinker who translates complex briefs into compelling visual solutions.

• A collaborative partner who works seamlessly across disciplines to deliver integrated work.

Working at FWD People

We are a senior team that champions integrity, adaptability, excellence, and growth. Here, you'll collaborate with solution-focused colleagues to advance both our clients and our teams.

Our office is located in Brooklyn Heights, and we offer a flexible hybrid work schedule. We value in-person collaboration and connection but also understand the importance of offering the flexibility to work from home.

We are dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. As an equal-opportunity employer, we welcome differences in race, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, and more. We believe that diversity drives innovation and success, and we are committed to ensuring equal opportunities and fostering a culture of respect and collaboration.

Interviewing at FWD People

We believe in transparency and respect for your time. Our hiring process is designed to be open, fair, and as straightforward as possible, giving you a clear picture of what to expect while also giving us a chance to get to know you. Here's how it works:

• Initial Conversation: A friendly chat to learn about your background, goals, and what excites you about this opportunity (and in general).

• In-Depth Interview: A deeper discussion about your skills, experiences, and how you envision contributing to our team.

• Scenario Conversation: A collaborative discussion where we'll walk through a few real-world scenarios together. This is an opportunity to show us how you think through challenges, make decisions, and approach problem-solving.

• Final Interview: An onsite conversation with some additional folks on our team and leadership to explore how your unique talents align with our mission and values.

We know that interviewing can sometimes feel overwhelming, which is why we're committed to keeping the process clear and communicative every step of the way. We're excited to learn more about you and appreciate you taking the time to get to know us!

Benefits & Comp

At FWD, we believe in supporting our team both personally and professionally. We offer excellent benefits, including 25 days off per year +16 paid holidays, matching 401(k), medical, dental & vision, paid maternity & paternity leave, home office setup, yearly team retreats, and a comprehensive professional development program including executive coaching and a yearly professional development stipend. As we continue to grow, we enhance our benefits package to meet the needs of our team.

This role is based in NYC (Brooklyn) with a flexible hybrid work schedule.