Creative Director jobs in United Arab Emirates

Founded in London in 1970, Saatchi & Saatchi has evolved into a global creative powerhouse with 114 offices in 67 countries and over 6,500 employees. As part of Publicis Groupe, we excel in integrated communications, working with top global brands to create unforgettable campaigns.

Our mantra, ‘Nothing is Impossible’, drives us to drive positive change through creativity. We pride ourselves on our unshakeable spirit and dedication to nurturing talent, ensuring your journey with us is one of continuous growth. Located across the UAE and KSA, Saatchi & Saatchi services the whole MEA region and consistently collects prestigious awards, namely ‘#2 Network of The Year’ at Dubai Lynx 2024, reflecting our commitment to leaving a positive impact.

Our culture is what sets us apart. Join our fun traditions that drive creativity and bring everyone together while keeping spirits high. We love our office parties and the collaborative environment that helps us create outstanding work.

The Associate Creative Director (Copy) is involved in the development of creative concepts, working with all disciplines in the agency including art directors and designers to build cohesive and effective campaigns. Their focus is on the written content of advertising campaigns. They ensure copy is on strategy, engaging and persuasive, and effectively communicates the desired message to the target audience.

As a close ally of the Creative Director, they are stepping into a managerial role to mentor team members, especially copywriters. In addition, they oversee the production of projects from conception to production, keeping an eagle eye on text and scripts.

The ideal candidate for the Associate Creative Director position will passionately strive to move the agency creative agenda forward. Works closely with the creative teams to develop ideas for all forms of communication, recognizing that today’s constantly changing media and technology offers new tools and demands new approaches and solutions. Has digital experience. An excellent creative track record is essential. Must have dedication, persistence and passion for relevant, groundbreaking ideas, be organized, and an excellent communicator. Must have excellent presentation skills and experience with presenting to senior, high-level clients. Must be able to provide a list of recent industry awards and achievements with an online portfolio.

Technical & Product

• Delivers ideas and work that exceed creative expectations and client business goals.
• Oversees the production throughout the entire process of specific creative ideas for various applications including print, broadcast, digital, radio and other relevant media.
• Displays a curiosity about the latest marketing trends and digital tools and anything related to constantly evolving forms of communication and storytelling.

Business Acumen & Operational Efficiency

• Help lead teams in the development and execution of everything from large-scale, multi-channel campaigns to small, one-time projects
• Understand the value of strategic insights, experiences and storytelling to create and sell your ideas
• Direct teams in execution with an appreciation and understanding of the craft of both art direction and copywriting
• Partner with agency capabilities including strategy, media, DnA and tech to help inform the work
• Build relationships internally and externally

Innovative & Analytical Mindset

• Ideate, write and execute original and iconic creative concepts in response to client briefs, objectives or goals
• Extend client relationships and explore new ways to deliver value
• Develop creative ideas that meet both our client's objectives as well as our business objectives, maintaining the company’s expected levels of creative excellence and professionalism
• Present, share and review creative work with Executive Creative Director/s, Account Management and Planning Leads as well as members of the Management Team
• Manage multiple projects from concept through to completion, working with both in-house resources and third-party vendors
• Collaborate effectively with Account Management, Planning and the broader creative team to develop disruptive and iconic work
• Manage multiple projects from concept through to completion, working with both in-house resources and third-party vendors

People & Leadership

• Takes initiative to challenge an established point of view with respect and openness.
• Able to use storytelling to connect with internal and external stakeholders in a compelling manner to influence and inspire.
• Able to handle complex issues and make decisions even when missing information.
• Capable of proactively developing meaningful relationships with key decision makers.
• Accepts responsibility for client problems, manages conflict and actively works to solve issues internally and externally.
• Able to build succession plans and grow and mentor future talent.
• Able to provide constructive feedback to others in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates a collaborative and positive spirit and showcases inclusivity towards all people.
• Listens and proactively seeks views from others to create an environment that is transparent and comfortable for others to share.
• Able to motivate their team to pursue goals and deliver beyond their beliefs.
• Able to assess ideas and people on merit alone, without bias or favoritism and gives recognition when due.
• Empowers individuals to solve problems with full support when needed.
• Capable of coaching and supporting others by aligning career expectations providing actionable, open and constructive feedback.
• Capable of persuading others with integrity by understanding their motivations and identifying their concerns and work toward solving them.
• Proactively and continuously work towards improving effective team working and collaboration.
• Able to handle complex messages and is able to convey issues to facilitate others' understanding.
• Able to initiate and lead open conversations with internal and external stakeholders to build a culture of trust.
• Capable of creating opportunities for others to grow and demonstrate their learning agility.
• Drives a culture of trust with peers, clients and other stakeholders.

Self

• Able to adjust performance based on experiences and feedback and showcases agility and flexibility.
• Displays openness to the ideas of others and leverages them when beneficial for the business.
• Demonstrates the growth mindset and proactively adapts behavior and performance for sustained success.
• Able to set high impact objectives and goes above and beyond to exceed performance.
• Able to demonstrate agility and flexibility to respond and reprioritize based on different situations.
• Able to constructively challenge the status quo and take risks to challenge internal and external perspectives.
• Approaches situations and individuals with honesty, integrity, transparency and humbleness.
• Showcases resilience and maintains drive and a positive outlook when faced with challenges.
• Actively listens and is receptive to others' feedback on performance.
• Able to take justified risks when appropriate and take accountability and responsibility when things don’t go as planned.
• An early identifier of change, able to proactively develop and share plans to seize opportunities.
• Acts ethically and makes ethical decisions in line with local regulations and contracts, even in the face of ethical challenges.
• Able to listen to other people in a way that they feel understood, and is respectful of others.
• Able to make timely decision that take into account different factors in ambiguous circumstances, considering impacts internally and externally.
• Able to build initiatives despite doubts or resistance from others to deliver strategic impact.

A thought leader with a strong POV but also an open mind; is ready to listen and learn

Understands the “best in class” use of each platform. You know what it means to make something interesting, engaging and creative in the world today

Ability to concept innovative ideas and tactics that people will talk about. Always envisioning the potential outcomes of each idea; thinking through the earned media headlines, potential media responses, consumer reactions and tweets etc

Excellent client management and presentation skills. Someone who is confident in the work they create and leads knows how to speak professionally about their ideas and how they can positively impact our client’s business

A versatile team player: able to work alone or in a team, able to take direction from creative directors and to mentor others within the department

Participates in new business pitches

Embodies our positive, diverse, ambitious and respectful culture

Additional information

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