Job Type
Full-time
Job Description The Creative Director - Copy at Orchard is responsible for overseeing the entire creative process for copy and messaging, from initial concept to final execution, ensuring every headline, story, and campaign idea aligns with the client's defined brand voice and business goals. It is your role to lead and inspire the creative team, shape strategic narratives, help guide project development, inform scope & budgets, build client relationships, and translate high-level concepts into compelling creative across all mediums and platforms from brand campaigns and websites to email, social, paid media, and video.
The ideal candidate has experience effectively leading, motivating, and managing writers and creative teams, and a track record of delivering innovative, results-driven solutions for clients in complex categories that meet or exceed their marketing plans and execution goals. This is a hybrid position for our downtown Cincinnati office with exceptional company culture that puts its people first.
Responsibilities - Defining, developing, and maintaining the creative vision, brand voice, and messaging architecture for projects and brands.
- Overseeing the entire creative process from brainstorms, through execution, to ensure quality while maintaining timelines and budgets.
- Growing and developing the copy team, managing with a goal-oriented approach and learning mindset. Identifying the best resources for freelance writing needs as required.
- Working with the Design Creative Director to collaborate closely with clients to understand their needs and ensure creative aligns with their brand and communication goals.
- Partnering with Account, Analytics, Web, and Media teams to develop integrated concepts where words and visuals work together across the customer journey.
- Writing, editing, and elevating headlines, scripts, long-form content, website and UX copy, email, social, and paid media with clarity, persuasion, and an eye toward measurable performance.
- Translating complex, technical, or regulated subject matter into messaging that is clear, compelling, and compliant.
- Ensuring quality standards are met at their highest level throughout the creative process.
- Using data, testing, and performance insights to refine messaging and optimize creative over time.
- Generating new ideas and staying up to date on trends, platforms, and technologies, including uses of AI in content creation, while understanding brand development, SEO, multichannel marketing, and best practices.
- Presenting to clients and stakeholders to effectively communicate ideas and justify thought process and recommendations.
- Playing an active role in RFP development and serving as a key member of the pitch team for new business opportunities, from shaping the creative strategy and big idea to presenting the work.
- Communicating expectations to freelance writers and content partners from a holistic perspective regarding project needs, timing, budget, and scope; assisting with acquiring cost estimates as needed.
- Assisting in the development of processes and process improvements for the Orchard team and their clients.
Requirements - BA/BS in a related field (copywriting, English, journalism, communications, advertising, etc.) or equivalent experience.
- Proven work experience and proficient knowledge of the principles and practices of copywriting and content development across digital and traditional platforms, with a strong portfolio of previous work, at least 10-12 years of copywriting experience, and 3-5 years of experience managing creative teams in an agency setting
- Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with mastery of tone, voice, and storytelling
- Experience writing for complex or regulated categories (e.g., healthcare, financial services, B2B technology) is a plus
- Working knowledge of SEO, UX writing, and conversion-focused content best practices
- Solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office and collaboration tools; familiarity with generative AI writing tools a plus
Key Traits Aligned to Orchard's values and expectations:
- Own the Outcome: We act like stakeholders in Orchard's success. We take responsibility for the work and results - for clients, for each other, and for the business itself.
- Never Settle: We keep pushing for smarter, faster, better ways to create impact. We test, learn, and evolve because progress beats perfection.
- Lead with Clarity: We simplify the complex. We communicate clearly, align early, and keep focus on what matters most.
- Finish Strong: We take pride in the final stretch, where quality, care, and follow-through make the difference. We go the extra inch to ensure what we hand off, internally or to clients, reflects Orchard at its best.
- Grow Together: We show up for one another, give feedback with care, and hold each other accountable. Collective progress beats individual perfection.
- Show up Human: We communicate directly and with empathy. We stay grounded, inclusive, and remember?there's a person behind every deliverable.
