Role OverviewAs the Sr. Director of Creative Strategy & Services, you will lead and evolve Cortland's brand expression across all touchpoints-shaping how residents and prospects experience our brand at every stage of their journey. This role blends creative vision, brand strategy, and operational excellence to deliver high-impact, scalable creative solutions that align with business priorities. Reporting to the CMO, you will own the brand creative strategy, direction and the in-house creative team - ensuring all expressions of Cortland are cohesive, emotionally resonant, and differentiated in the market.
Set Enterprise Brand Creative Strategy
- Define and execute a cohesive, enterprise-wide creative and brand strategy aligned with growth objectives
- Establish and evolve brand identity and visual systems across markets
- Translate business priorities into compelling creative solutions that drive demand
- Develop scalable brand standards and toolkits to ensure consistency
Lead Creative Execution
- Own creative direction across digital, social, print, video, and experiential channels
- Drive integrated storytelling across owned and paid media
- Guide content creation from concept through delivery with high standards
- Ensure strong and differentiated brand expression
- Direct the creative strategy across all owned and paid media as well as internal and external presentations.
Advance Technology, Analytics & Innovation
- Optimize creative operations, workflows, and production processes
- Lead the creative strategy and integration of AI and emerging tools to scale content and personalization
- Leverage performance data to refine creative effectiveness
- Partner with technology teams to align platforms and tools
- Foster innovation and leverage trends in creative technology, consumer experience design, and digital storytelling
Partner Across the Enterprise
- Collaborate with Community Marketing, Marketing Technology, Communications, Brand Strategy & Experience, HR, Investments and Operations leaders
- Partner with performance marketing to align brand and demand efforts
- Serve as a strategic advisor translating insights into creative direction
Deliver Experiential, Video & Content Excellence
- Oversee video production from concept through post-production
- Lead experiential and event creative for cohesive brand experiences
- Guide storytelling across formats to maximize engagement
Build & Lead High-Performing Teams
- Build and develop a high-performing in-house creative team
- Establish performance standards and operating rhythms
- Foster a culture of creativity, accountability, and innovation
- Manage agencies and external partners
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Design, Marketing, Advertising, or related field
- 10+ years of creative, design or brand leadership experience
- Experience in consumer-facing industries (hospitality, retail, lifestyle preferred)
- Proven ability to build and scale creative teams
- Strong portfolio demonstrating brand systems and campaigns
- Experience with AI and emerging creative technologies
- Strong storytelling and communication skills
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders in a fast-paced environment
