Creative Director, Marketing

Organization: Meals on Wheels America
Location: Arlington, VA
Date Posted: 03/25/2025

OVERVIEW OF MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA

Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. Powered by a dedicated volunteer workforce, this network delivers a comprehensive solution that begins with a meal and is proven to enable independence and well-being through the additional benefits of tailored nutrition, social connection, safety, and much more.

By providing funding, programming, education, research, and advocacy, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. For more information, or to find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

POSITION SUMMARY

Meals on Wheels America is hiring a Creative Director (CD) to champion the visual design direction of the brand and oversee the production and execution of marketing campaigns, initiatives, and deliverables across platforms such as video, digital, social, print, and experiential.

Reporting to the Vice President, Marketing, the CD will build and expand internal and external brand and editorial standards, ensuring consistent, strategic, and high-quality audience experiences on various platforms. This is a unique opportunity to extend the reach, power, and impact of an iconic brand, recently named a Fast Company Brands That Matter, representing a network that serves seniors in every part of our country.

A competitive candidate will have a deep understanding of brand strategy, contemporary visual culture, and a drive to do mission-driven work. In addition, they will possess strong leadership and communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and an interest in developing and managing the growth of a small, growing team. They will nimbly direct and translate ideas into world-class campaigns, stories, and experiences.

This is an Arlington, VA-based, flexible hybrid working role. There is no weekly in-office requirement; however, the ability to visit the office as needed is required.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Brand Management

Extend and evolve brand and editorial guidelines and expression to digital, video, and social media platforms to ensure consistent creative quality and discipline in the organization’s outward-facing materials and content.
Uphold brand guidelines and clearly communicate/educate them to the wider team and organization as needed.
Work with the Brand Manager/Graphic Designer to address and resolve issues with the cross-departmental Brand Issues team.
Create plans and strategies to drive greater brand adoption among Meals on Wheels America members.
Actively cultivate and steward existing brand adopters to become enthusiastic brand ambassadors.

Campaigns, Initiatives, and Deliverables

Based on the annual Marketing calendar, create multiplatform content for campaigns and initiatives, sometimes in partnership with external agencies and partners.
Develop assets for business partners to support programmatic, fundraising, and membership goals.
Work with the wider team to develop digital platforms and content.
Support the ongoing growth and development of digital properties.
Partner with colleagues to test and learn about new digital products as appropriate.

Ways of Working

Manage, mentor, and champion creative department staff.
Set priorities and oversee the execution and development of creative assets across the team.
Work with the Marketing Specialist (Project Manager) to refine work request/intake processes and explore project management/workflow tools to streamline department operations.
Collaborate with the Brand Manager/Graphic Designer to continue growing and evolving the Digital Asset Management System (DAM – Brandfolder) as an asset repository and portal for staff and partners.
Hire and manage creative and production vendors and freelancers, ensuring projects and timelines stay on track.

Storytelling

In partnership with the Senior Director, Brand Management, develop an annual storytelling plan to create content that advances strategic goals.
Plan, direct, and execute content capture shoots in partnership with local providers to produce compelling multiplatform content that enhances awareness, support, and relevance for the organization.
Ensure proper releases and permissions are secured for all content.
Expand the bank of third-party videos and photos for use across multiple platforms.
Produce written, video, and photo deliverables of stories for various platforms, with assistance from freelancers and agencies as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field, plus 10+ years of experience in design, agency, or in-house environments, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated interest in brand strategy and design in a mission-driven context.
Experience working with brands that have both national and local expressions.
A minimum of 3 years of experience successfully managing or leading creative teams.
Strong project management, prioritization, organizational, and time management skills.
A track record of making sound judgments about competing priorities and deadlines, with the ability to manage time and resources effectively.
A team player and people person who builds strong relationships and can resolve conflicts while maintaining effective collaborations.
Excellent oral and written presentation skills.
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Workspace (G Suite).
A proven ability to work effectively across diverse communities (e.g., race, gender, age, language, orientation, urban/rural).
Ability to give and receive feedback effectively.