Executive Creative Director

We believe it all starts with brand. The feeling. The tension. The story people carry long after the screen goes dark. We believe the brands that matter most in the next decade won’t simply market better. They’ll mean something deeper. They’ll create gravity. They’ll move culture. They’ll shape how people connect, work, feel, buy, believe, and belong. At Instrument, we believe that when you tether belief to purpose through design, strategy, storytelling, and technology, you create more than a system. You create momentum. A force that brings people and businesses together in ways that feel undeniable. That’s the work we want to make. And we’re looking for an Executive Creative Director ready to help define what comes next. This is not a role for someone interested in maintaining categories, protecting old agency models, or creating work that disappears into the noise. This is for a creative leader who wants to build defining brands and transformative experiences at the intersection of creativity, technology, culture, and business. As Executive Creative Director, you will lead the creative vision across some of our most ambitious client partnerships — shaping brands, products, campaigns, platforms, and experiences that influence industries and leave lasting impact. You will guide multidisciplinary teams across design, storytelling, strategy, motion, AI, digital product, and emerging technology, helping transform complex business challenges into emotionally resonant and commercially meaningful work. You will partner deeply with executive clients and internal leadership to shape not only the work, but the future of the agency itself. This role requires someone who can move fluidly between vision and execution: • Someone who can inspire a room and sharpen a narrative, • Who can push creative ambition while building trust, • Who understands that modern creativity is no longer confined to campaigns alone, • And who believes the future belongs to brands that operate as connected systems across brand, product, marketing, and technology Location: Ideally Portland, OR — But must be located on the West Coast What You'll Do • Set and elevate the creative standard across the agency • Lead and mentor senior creative talent while fostering a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and excellence • Shape transformative client relationships and influence executive stakeholders with conviction and clarity • Drive multidisciplinary work across brand systems, digital products, campaigns, content, and emerging experiences • Partner across strategy, technology, growth, and delivery to create integrated solutions that move businesses forward • Help define how AI and new technologies reshape creativity, storytelling, and experience design • Champion work that is emotionally resonant, culturally relevant, and commercially effective • Contribute meaningfully to the evolution of Instrument’s creative identity, reputation, and future vision What You Bring • Has a strong point of view and the ability to articulate it • Leads with optimism, ambition, and creative conviction • Understands both the emotional and operational realities of building world-class work • Thrives in environments of change, experimentation, and reinvention • Knows how to inspire teams while holding a high creative bar • Sees creativity as a business driver, not just an output • Believes collaboration across disciplines creates stronger ideas • Wants to shape not only brands, but the future of the industry itself At Instrument, we are building the next era of creative partnership — where brand, product, marketing, technology, and AI are no longer separate conversations. If that excites you, we should talk. Pay Range • The expected pay range for this position is $200,000-$225,000. We have three regional pay ranges that are adjusted for cost of living (US1 +15%, US2 +7.5%, US3 Base), *learn more about our pay philosophy and cost of living adjustments Benefits • Medical, dental, and vision coverage • 401k with employer matching • Unlimited PTO + company wide closures • Work From Home and Wellbeing monthly stipend • HSA Employer Contribution • Professional Development Stipend • Paid Parental Leave We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.