Head of Creative (Executive Creative Director)

Who are we?

MATTE is a 360° full-service creative studio at the convergence of hype, storytelling and design. We bring people together to inspire new ways of engaging, to provoke long term progress, and to entertain audiences around the world, while helping forward-thinking brands and institutions nimbly and truly do the same. Our studio capabilities range from strategic ideation and insights, creative development, branding and identity, experiential, web design and development, campaigns and content creation, all the way through full-scale production and execution.

About this role:

The Head of Creative at MATTE Projects will be a key leader, driving the strategic and operational growth of our creative services across campaign, content, and experiential. This role demands both business acumen and visionary creative leadership to win and deliver big business while overseeing and mentoring the creative team. The Head of Creative will collaborate with operations and work closely with the Chief Creative Officer to ensure seamless integration of the creative vision with business objectives. You will shape the future of MATTE’s creative output, delivering groundbreaking work that influences industry trends and captivates audiences.

Key Responsibilities:

• Creative Vision & Direction: Lead the development and execution of the creative vision across all channels—campaign, content, experiential, branding, and identity. Ensure that all creative work is aligned with MATTE’s brand ethos, pushing the boundaries of innovation while remaining relevant and impactful to both clients and audiences.
• Strategic Leadership: Collaborate with the Chief Creative Officer, President, and executive leadership to drive the creative strategy, ensuring it aligns with the broader business objectives. Translate high-level vision into tangible, innovative creative concepts that resonate with target markets and support client goals.
• End-to-End Creative Oversight: Oversee the entire creative process, from ideation to execution, ensuring projects meet client expectations, timelines, and budget requirements. Maintain quality control throughout all phases of development and production to guarantee the highest level of creative output.
• Pitching & Business Growth: Lead high-stakes pitches and presentations for new business, crafting compelling and visually stunning concepts that captivate potential clients and partners. Work closely with the business development team to identify opportunities for growth and foster long-term client relationships.
• Team Leadership & Development: Manage and inspire a multi-disciplinary creative team, cultivating a culture of collaboration, experimentation, and excellence. Mentor and develop creative talent, providing guidance and feedback to enhance their skills and ensure continuous professional growth.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Partner with operations, strategy, and production teams to ensure smooth collaboration and integration of creative vision across all departments. Act as the bridge between creative, production, and operational workflows to streamline project delivery.
• Client & Stakeholder Management: Serve as the primary creative lead in client interactions, building and maintaining strong relationships through clear communication, presentation of creative work, and addressing feedback. Ensure that the creative output consistently exceeds client expectations and enhances the overall brand experience.
• Operational Efficiency: Drive operational improvements within the creative department, optimizing workflows, managing resources, and overseeing the allocation of talent to ensure efficient project execution. Balance creative ambition with operational constraints to deliver outstanding work within scope and budget.
• Trend Spotting & Innovation: Stay ahead of industry trends, emerging technologies, and new creative methodologies. Continuously seek out innovative approaches to storytelling and design that keep MATTE Projects at the forefront of the creative industry.
• Revenue Impact & Accountability: Play a critical role in generating revenue through the creative function, directly influencing business outcomes by delivering work that meets or exceeds client objectives. Be accountable for the creative team’s contributions to the studio’s financial success and operational targets.

Qualifications:

• 15+ years experience in a senior creative leadership role at an agency or creative studio, ideally with a focus on campaign, content, and experiential.
• Strong operational capabilities, with experience managing creative workflows and cross-functional collaboration.
• A track record of winning and delivering big business, driving successful pitches, and managing client relationships at the executive level.
• Exceptional creative vision, with an ability to push boundaries and deliver work that challenges industry norms and inspires audiences.
• Strong leadership and team development skills, with a passion for mentoring and empowering creative talent.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of clearly articulating creative concepts and strategies to clients and internal teams.
• A deep understanding of the creative landscape, with a pulse on emerging trends and technologies.

What We Offer:

• Opportunity to work with a world-class creative studio at the cutting edge of innovation, design, and storytelling.
• Leadership role within a dynamic, fast-paced environment with the chance to influence the future direction of MATTE Projects.

Base Salary Range: $240,000-$280,000/ year

Benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 401k with a 4% company contribution max match 
• Fully covered yearly Citibike membership wellness perk
• Talkspace membership wellness perk
• Competitive PTO package
• End of Year Recharge paid time off
• Sabbatical Program option after three years of employment with us
• Parental Leave for all new parents
• Hybrid Work Environment 

Everyone is welcome at MATTE - we’re passionate about building a team that reflects the diversity of our community and creating an environment where our differences are celebrated. MATTE provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, MATTE will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.