Associate Creative Director, Art

For over 50 years, Cossette has been behind some of the biggest, most influential brands in Canadian culture. In fact, 98.5% of Canadians see our work every day. Which means, your parents too probably.

So if you want to impress your parents while doing the best work of your career, well…you know what to do.

About the role The

Associate Creative Director

is a burgeoning creative leader. A guide to creative teams on smaller accounts or specific campaigns, who also actively contributes to conceptual development. As a crucial bridge between senior creative leadership and day‐to‐day execution, ACDs ensure the creative vision is translated effectively and craft is maintained. They have to be strong conceptual thinkers. They must hold design in the highest regard. And they’ve got to be eager to and capable of mentoring junior talent, focusing on the development of big ideas and their cross‑channel execution.

Transparency matters to us. For this role, you can expect a salary between $115,000‑145,000 annually, depending on experience. This is for an existing vacancy.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Thought: Dive into client briefs to develop a deep understanding of strategic insights and marketing objectives to ensure that the creative solution that comes from that brief is relevant and effective, and that ideas have maximum impact.

Natural Curiosity: Beyond traditional research methods, know how AI tools like Google Gemini can be used to quickly gather the consumer insights and competitive analysis that can spark great thinking.

Conceptual Development: Actively participate in and lead brainstorming sessions to come up with original and compelling channel‑agnostic creative concepts. Then, bring those concepts to life across different platforms (digital, social, TV, OOH, etc.), regularly use creative tools, like Google Gemini, Adobe Firefly and VEO3 for rapid ideation, concept exploration, and generation of a wide range of creative variations for integrated campaigns.

Creative Direction: Provide day‑to‑day creative guidance and feedback to Art Directors and Copywriters, ensuring the work is aligned with the overall creative vision and strategic objectives, and optimized for multi‑channel delivery. Guide teams on the effective and ethical use of Google Gemini, Adobe Firefly and VEO3, fostering their familiarity with the capabilities of these platforms.

Execution & Craft: Make great work. Oversee its execution across various channels, ensuring excellent craft, attention to detail, and brand consistency, being hands‑on when necessary. Utilize technology and software features to streamline production tasks while maintaining a critical eye for quality and brand alignment across integrated campaigns.

Problem Solving: Find the challenge within the challenge. Dig deep to identify and solve creative challenges during the development and production phases for integrated campaigns.

Client Interaction: Present smart, integrated creative work to clients (with or without a CD), articulating creative rationales, and effectively listening to and managing client feedback.

Mentorship: Be excited to mentor and guide more junior creatives, particularly Art Directors. Lead by example and help them develop their skills and understanding of the creative process, including proficiency in channel‑agnostic thinking, multi‑platform execution, and contemporary creative tools like AI.

Represent Cossette: As part of the agency’s creative leadership, you lead by example and with optimism. You’re an ambassador for Cossette, both internally and externally. You celebrate our people, our successes and those of our client partners.

Skills & Qualifications

7+ years of experience as an Art Director in the advertising industry (at least 2 years at a senior level).

An inspiring portfolio that shows your conceptual strength and exceptional art direction with an array of ideas that have successfully translated across multiple channels.

Proven ability to work effectively in a team and even lead small creative groups in integrated campaign development.

Excellent conceptual skills and a deep understanding of how to turn big ideas into bigger, holistic campaigns.

Exceptional presentation and communication skills, and the ability to articulate a creative rationale clearly and persuasively.

High level of proficiency in relevant design software.

Proficiency in using generative AI tools, like Google Gemini, for concept development, text generation (e.g., headlines, social posts, scripts), and image generation/manipulation, as an augmentation to traditional creative processes across various channels.

The ability to critically evaluate and refine AI outputs to meet creative and strategic objectives, ensuring human oversight for integrated campaigns.

A keen and critical eye for detail and a commitment to delivering top‑tier work under pressure, especially for complex, multi‑channel initiatives.

What’s in it for you We Value The ‘whole You’

An innovative and entrepreneurial work environment that promotes ingenuity and individuality - with the best of colleagues, and the best of clients.

Hybrid work models and flexible hours, plus a work from anywhere policy for short‑term stays in other regions.

Generous Vacation starting at 3 weeks + 1 extra week over the holidays.

Agency summer days (exact policy differs per campus and agency).

Modern, open co‑working spaces with coffee & snack bars, located in great city neighborhoods, close to shops and restaurants and easy access to public transport.

Dogs allowed, dedicated Play Room to support families and Private wellness room (in select offices).

Team social events - holiday parties, seasonal gatherings, weekly happy hours, inspiring speakers and more!

We are obsessed with learning and being better humans

In‑house learning & development sessions and annual career and growth conversations’

Access to internal network of opportunities across all agencies.

Focus on developing BIMPOC Talent via our BIMPOC Mentorship Program.

Internal EDI group(s), programs & initiatives across Plus Company and opportunities to be involved in employee resource group(s).

Check out our EDI report here to learn more about our work and commitment towards equity.

We invest in your health and wellness

Flexible benefits to support your individual lifestyle and life stage – with access to a personal wellness spending account you can use for a wide range of wellness expenses, including gym membership fees, pet care, education expenses, and much more!

Comprehensive mental health support including access to a virtual mental health therapy clinic providing you with personalized therapist guided iCBT programs and live therapy, access to health clinicians 24/7, and a holistic array of other health and wellness resources to support you and your family.

Dedicated play rooms for days you need to bring the kids and health and wellness rooms when you need a place to get grounded.

A responsible sick & personal absence days policy designed so you don't have to worry the moment a personal obligation or emergency arises.

Maternity leave top up program.

Expiry Date Notice: This job description expires on April 10th 2026

We’re humbled by the number of talented people who apply to work with us every day. And, we thank each and every one of you. Truly. We’ll reach out directly to those we’d like to meet for an interview.

To ensure a fair and consistent evaluation for all candidates, our interviewers are supported by an AI tool that securely takes notes during the conversation.

Creating meaningful work means embracing different perspectives. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on age, colour, ability, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. Not only are these provisions protected by provincial and federal law, embracing difference is what makes Cossette what it is—and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We pride ourselves on our inclusive and accessible workplace. If you need any accommodations during the interview process to make it work for you, let us know.

Employee & Job Applicants Privacy Notice https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQIU40pchmRo2-xnl_UuSHgDa8xkw4fbkr6IZX20PCEdn2E9e3_eBD2chvxT0OWDHlPQicIkWP1kZ58/pub

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