What's the most urgent global conversation today?Energy. How we power our homes, cities, cars-and our increasingly AI-driven lives-isn't just a policy issue, it's a human one. At ICF Next, we help utilities, public agencies, and clean energy pioneers move millions toward more sustainable choices. We're looking for a Creative Director to help lead that charge.
You'll take on a set of marquee client portfolios-developing campaigns that shape public understanding of energy, electrification, and resilience. This is high-stakes, high-impact work, and it demands big ideas, sharp instincts, and bold leadership.
Who You AreYou're not just a maker-you're a leader with vision. A visual major with an art direction background, you understand how images, type, structure, and pacing work together to tell a compelling story. Professionally, you may come from art direction-but you think like a storyteller. You understand how visuals and words work together to move people. You see the story arc in everything, and you know when to lead with imagery, when to lean into language, and how to shape both for clarity and impact.
You elevate creative. You rally teams. You sell ideas with clarity and conviction. You thrive under pressure and adapt fast-because you know change is constant, and that's where the opportunity lives.
The RoleYou'll lead creative strategy and execution for major energy-sector clients inside a large, mission-driven creative studio. From integrated campaigns to social content to video storytelling, your work will span platforms and push thinking.
You'll collaborate with writers, designers, strategists, and account leads to produce work that's as effective as it is ambitious. You'll help steer the creative product and the team-guiding everything from pitch decks to production with rigor, speed, and creative edge.
Location: For select accounts, we are seeking candidates based in the Los Angeles metro area who can bring strong local market knowledge and connect with clients and communities in the region.
What You'll Do- Lead creative for top-tier energy accounts, translating briefs into breakthrough ideas
- Develop multi-channel campaigns-digital, social, video, experiential, and earned
- Mentor and direct creative teams toward high-impact execution
- Present work persuasively to internal and external stakeholders
- Operate with urgency, quality, and focus across simultaneous workstreams
- Bring a growth mindset-adapting to tech, tools, platforms, and shifting priorities
- Help shape a culture of creative excellence and collaboration
What You BringRequired Qualifications- 12+ years of creative experience (agency or studio), including senior-level leadership
- A portfolio that showcases standout conceptual and executional work
Preferred Qualifications- Experience in energy, sustainability, or behavior-change campaigns (preferred)
- Fluency in emerging creative tech, including AI-supported workflows
- Strong strategic thinking and communication skills
- Comfort leading in dynamic, high-pressure environments
- A reputation for being collaborative, sharp, and easy to follow
- Visionary thinking grounded in strategy
- Ability to inspire, teach, and bring people with you
- Confidence in selling bold ideas
- Agility in the face of change
- Passion for the craft-design, storytelling, and everything in between
- Drive to lead with excellence, empathy, and urgency
Let's build something powerful.If this sounds like you, send us your resume and portfolio. We'd love to seeyour work.
Pay RangeThere are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.
The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:
$143,756.00 - $244,385.00
California Remote Office (CA99)
