Art Director

GDP is a creative marketing agency that combines the best of strategy, design, and journalism to help brands clarify complexity, and we’re looking for an Art Director to join our team.

We’re looking for a multifaceted and curious creative with a mind for strategy and an eye for the tiniest design detail. A multi-platform thinker by default, the ideal candidate is interested in the unique opportunities each medium and media buy provides. They understand that concept and execution are inseparable when it comes to design and have the know-how to execute on both at the highest level, whether that’s creating original artwork or collaborating with a top-tier network of production partners.

The Art Director is a central creative contributor, concepting and designing brand storytelling efforts primarily across advertising campaigns, editorial, and social. Much of our client work sits at the intersection of technology, innovation, and B2B—complex ideas for complex organizations that need to be made clear, compelling, and human. This role demands both strategic thinking and genuine design chops, and the ability to execute at the highest level, from the big idea down to the smallest typographic decision.

This is a hybrid role (in-office Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays) in San Francisco.

Key responsibilities

• Lead projects from concept to delivery in partnership with a creative director across our core disciplines: editorial design (reports and long-form articles), social, and brand advertising campaigns (including TV spots and events)
• Balance multiple projects and timelines with the ability to prioritize without losing quality.
• Communicate clearly with clients, with the ability to convey the intent and craft of t he work with confidence and conviction.
• Translate complex, technical, and B2B subject matter into ideas and visuals that are clear, compelling, and emotionally resonant.
• Inspire, mentor, and motivate creatives with diverse backgrounds and skill sets.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with strategists, writers, editors, and producers, always seeking opportunities to elevate the work.
• Work with creative leadership to generate communications systems for, by, and about GDP, across owned, social, and live-event platforms.
• Use AI tools actively and thoughtfully—to accelerate ideation, generate reference, prototype at speed, and push the work forward without losing sight of what makes design meaningful.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in a marketing/design agency environment, with the majority devoted to brand campaigns, brand identity systems, and multi-platform creative.
• Experience working with technology, innovation, or B2B clients, and comfort with translating complex or abstract ideas into clear, resonant creative.
• A love for the craft of advertising and brand storytelling in all its forms—grounded in a solid foundation of great design.
• Highly collaborative and resourceful. A self-starter who moves projects forward between check-ins and brings others along.
• Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to clearly and persuasively convey the thinking behind complex or abstract concepts.
• A deep interest in brand design systems—typography, photography, grid, color—drawing from a wide range of creative references and bringing that curiosity to the daily work.
• A basic understanding of interaction design best practices when designing for digital environments.
• Demonstrated fluency with Figma as the primary design and prototyping tool; proficiency across Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects). Competency in Keynote and Google Workspace.
• Hands-on experience with AI creative tools—image generation platforms (Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, DALL-E), AI-assisted ideation, and production workflows that accelerate output without sacrificing craft.
• Experience directing motion and broadcast, with After Effects fluency or strong direction skills over motion designers.

The rise of AI. Turbulent financial markets. An erosion of trust. We are living in deeply complex times, and our creative marketing agency is purpose-built for this moment. Organizations need to know who they are, what they stand for, and what they’re here to do. They need to communicate their ideas and ideals in clear and compelling ways. That’s where GDP comes in. Our team of journalists, strategists, and designers helps brands turn complexity into clarity. Because the best ideas fail if no one understands them.

The salary range for this role is $75,000 - $95,000.

Our salary offers take into consideration the skills and experience a candidate brings, pay equity across similar roles within GDP, and the market rate for similar roles outside of GDP. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant, along with the requirements of the position. The company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. GDP is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, and also offers comprehensive health and wellbeing benefits, personal and professional development, and career growth opportunities.