What is an Executive Creative Director Job?
An Executive Creative Director (ECD) is a senior-level position in the advertising and marketing industry. They are responsible for overseeing the creative direction of an agency or company, ensuring that the creative work produced is of the highest quality and meets the objectives of the client. The ECD is often the face of the creative department and works closely with clients, account managers, and other members of the team to develop effective creative strategies.
What Usually Do in this Position?
As an ECD, your primary responsibility is to provide creative direction and leadership to the agency or company's creative team. You will be responsible for developing and executing creative concepts that meet the client's objectives, managing the creative process, and ensuring that the creative output is of the highest quality.
Additionally, you will be responsible for managing the creative team, including hiring and training new staff, setting performance goals, and providing feedback and guidance to help team members grow and improve. You will be the key liaison between the creative department and other departments such as account management, strategy, and production.
Top 5 Skills for Position
- Leadership and Management: As an ECD, you will be responsible for managing a team of creative professionals and leading them to success.
- Creativity: You should have a keen eye for creative concepts and be able to develop and execute ideas that meet the client's objectives.
- Communication: You will be working with a variety of stakeholders, so excellent communication skills are essential.
- Strategic thinking: You should be able to think critically and develop creative strategies that align with the client's business goals.
- Business acumen: You must have a solid understanding of the business side of advertising and marketing, including budgeting, forecasting, and revenue generation.
How to Become an Executive Creative Director?
Becoming an ECD typically requires years of experience in the advertising and marketing industry. Many ECDs start their careers as copywriters, art directors, or designers and work their way up to more senior roles. In addition to gaining experience, ECDs need to develop a broad range of skills, including leadership, management, strategic thinking, and business acumen.
ECDs often hold advanced degrees in advertising, marketing, or a related field, but this is not always a requirement. Many ECDs have worked their way up from entry-level positions and have learned on the job. Networking and building relationships with industry professionals can also be an important part of advancing your career.
Average Salary
According to Glassdoor, the average salary for an ECD in the United States is $175,000 per year. However, salaries can vary widely based on factors such as location, company size, and level of experience. ECDs in larger cities such as New York and Los Angeles may earn higher salaries than those in smaller markets.
Roles and Types
There are a variety of roles and types of ECDs, depending on the size and structure of the agency or company. Some ECDs may work primarily on the creative side, while others may have broader responsibilities that include strategy and account management. Additionally, some ECDs may specialize in a particular industry such as healthcare, technology, or automotive.
Locations with the Most Popular Jobs in USA
The most popular locations for ECD jobs in the United States are typically in larger cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. However, there are also opportunities in smaller markets and in other regions of the country.
What are the Typical Tools?
ECDs use a variety of tools and software to manage the creative process and develop effective campaigns. Some common tools include Adobe Creative Suite, project management software such as Asana or Trello, and presentation software such as PowerPoint or Keynote. Additionally, ECDs may use data analytics software to track the performance of campaigns and make strategic decisions based on the data.
In Conclusion
Becoming an Executive Creative Director is a challenging and rewarding career path in the advertising and marketing industry. ECDs are responsible for overseeing the creative direction of an agency or company, managing the creative team, and developing effective campaigns that meet the client's objectives. To become an ECD, you will need to develop a broad range of skills, including leadership, creativity, strategic thinking, and business acumen. With experience and dedication, you can build a successful career as an ECD and make a significant impact on the advertising and marketing industry.