Creative Director

Position: Creative Director (Design + Strategy)Department: CreativeExperience: 10 to 15 YearsLocation: Ghatkopar West, MumbaiReporting To: Business DirectorEmployment Type: Full-TimeAbout Walnut AdvertisingWalnut is a creative-led advertising and marketing communications agency headquartered in Mumbai. We believe in delivering ‘More Craft per Art’ — combining strategic rigour with bold creative thinking to build brands that resonate. Our portfolio spans integrated campaigns, digital marketing, brand identity, content creation, and media planning across categories including FMCG, healthcare, automotive, technology, and real estate.Role OverviewThe Creative Director will be the creative conscience of Walnut — responsible for the quality, originality, and strategic effectiveness of all creative output across the agency’s client portfolio. This is a dual-hatted role spanning creative direction and creative strategy, with deep involvement in design thinking and visual craft. You will lead pitches, direct campaigns, mentor teams, and work hands-on when the situation demands it. You will report directly to the Business Director and collaborate closely with client servicing, digital, and production teams.Key Responsibilities1. Creative Direction & DesignDefine and maintain the creative benchmark across all client work including campaigns, brand identity, digital assets, packaging, experiential, and content.Provide hands-on art direction and design leadership, reviewing and refining all creative work before client presentation.Lead visual storytelling across multiple mediums including print, digital, social media, OOH, video, and emerging formats.Conceptualize and execute creative work personally when required — this role requires a creator, not just a reviewer.Ensure consistent design systems, brand guidelines, and visual standards across all accounts.Champion excellence in typography, layout, color, and production quality as core creative fundamentals.2. Creative StrategyTranslate client briefs and business objectives into clear creative strategies and compelling campaign ideas.Develop brand narratives and positioning frameworks that create long-term value for clients.Lead ideation and brainstorming sessions that generate insight-driven creative concepts.Collaborate with client servicing teams to present creative strategies and ideas confidently to clients.Bring strong category understanding and consumer insight into every creative solution.Contribute to new business pitches with differentiated creative thinking that strengthens Walnut’s competitive edge.3. Team Leadership & Department DevelopmentBuild, structure, and scale the creative department, including hiring, mentoring, and retaining top talent.Develop junior and mid-level designers, art directors, and copywriters into well-rounded creative professionals.Establish creative workflows, review processes, and quality checkpoints that balance efficiency with creative excellence.Foster a culture of creative ambition, collaboration, and constructive feedback.Manage creative resource allocation across accounts to ensure deadlines and quality expectations are consistently met.Lead by example with an active, hands-on creative presence within the team.4. AI Proficiency & Technology IntegrationDemonstrate proficiency with AI-powered creative tools — this is a mandatory capability.Integrate AI tools for image generation, copy ideation, layout support, research, and concept development to improve creative workflows.Stay updated with emerging AI capabilities and identify practical applications for agency work.Train and mentor the creative team in effective use of AI tools within the creative process.Maintain a balanced perspective on where AI enhances creative craft versus where human creativity remains essential.Requirements10–15 years of experience in creative roles within advertising or marketing communications.Minimum 3–4 years in a Creative Director or Associate Creative Director role.Strong portfolio demonstrating design excellence, art direction, and strategic campaign thinking.Proven experience building and leading creative teams, ideally in a growth-stage agency environment.Hands-on proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, or equivalent design tools.Mandatory familiarity with AI-powered creative tools and workflows.Preferably from independent or boutique creative agencies, where involvement spans strategy, design, and client interaction.Strong presentation and storytelling skills to effectively sell ideas to clients and stakeholders.Deep understanding of brand building, consumer behavior, and the Indian advertising ecosystem across both traditional and digital platforms.Genuine passion for the craft of advertising and creative excellence.

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