ROLE: CREATIVE DIRECTOR
TEAM: CREATIVE, SALT XC
LOCATION: TORONTO (HYBRID)
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Salt is a North American marketing agency that creates connected experiences through creative, digital & media innovation.
Our mission is to “Earn the World’s Attention” and Salt is built to find, develop, execute, and amplify the ideas that are worthy of our clients’ audiences. We’ve structured our agency to do what’s right for our clients – to connect different perspectives, to work across mediums, and to focus on delivering meaningful, effective results.
We’re committed to living up to the values in our name. “Salt of The Earth” means we value collaborative, humble, hard-working people here. We’re looking for people who are as smart as they are kind because we believe the right talent and the right culture help us do what’s right for our clients.
ROLE OVERVIEW
As a Creative Director at Salt, you’ll lead the vision, craft, and culture of creativity across one of our most exciting tier-one clients—where sport, music, and culture intersect. You’ll shape the creative direction for fully integrated campaigns that connect ideas, experiences, and audiences in bold new ways.
This role is built for a creative leader who understands what makes great ideas great; how to invent them, evaluate them, and bring them to life across any medium. You balance imagination with discipline, guiding teams to push boundaries while ensuring ideas deliver against strategy, brand, and business goals.
A Creative Director at Salt knows that powerful ideas take many forms. They might start as a story, an experience, a piece of content, or something entirely unexpected, but always connect people and brands in meaningful ways. You’ll model creative curiosity, collaboration, and integrity, empowering your team to explore, experiment, and elevate every brief that comes through the door.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Creative Ideation & Development
- Lead the creation of breakthrough ideas that align with client strategy, brand purpose, and audience insight.
- Translate big, abstract thinking into clear, powerful, and actionable concepts across mediums.
- Cultivate a culture of curiosity and experimentation, encouraging diverse perspectives and creative bravery.
- Partner with Strategy and Account teams to ensure ideas are grounded in business objectives and audience understanding.
Creative Execution
- Oversee the development of campaign deliverables across digital, social, experiential, and traditional channels.
- Ensure creative work maintains excellence from concept through production, protecting both quality and intent.
- Review, refine, and approve work at key milestones—balancing boldness with feasibility.
- Collaborate closely with Production and Project Management to deliver work efficiently, on time, and on budget.
Creative Direction
- Provide hands-on direction and mentorship to Art Directors, Copywriters, Designers, and ACDs.
- Lead by example - showing, not just telling, how strong ideas and craft come to life.
- Foster an environment where feedback is constructive, collaboration is encouraged, and creative standards are clear.
- Ensure the creative department’s voice is represented across cross-functional discussions and decision-making.
Presentation & Client Partnership
- Act as a lead storyteller and presenter, confidently articulating creative thinking in ways that inspire and influence.
- Build trust and rapport with clients by demonstrating strategic understanding, creative excellence, and transparency.
- Represent the agency in key client meetings, new business pitches, and industry events.
- Partner with senior Account and Strategy leaders to strengthen client relationships and identify opportunities for growth.
Creative Strategy
- Translate brand and business objectives into inspiring creative platforms and campaigns.
- Guide the team in connecting insight to execution—ensuring every idea ladders up to a clear strategic intent.
- Collaborate with Strategy, Data, and Media teams to evolve creative effectiveness and inform future direction.
- Bring cultural, social, and technological awareness to the creative process to keep work relevant and resonant.
Creative Administration (Finance & Operations)
- Partner with the Executive Creative Director to manage team resourcing, budget planning, and operational efficiency.
- Ensure accurate forecasting and allocation of creative resources based on project needs and priorities.
- Contribute to recruitment, talent planning, and succession development within the creative discipline.
- Uphold Salt’s creative and ethical standards, ensuring financial responsibility and alignment with agency values.
EXPERIENCE & SKILLS
- 10-13 years of creative experience in an agency or brand environment, with a proven record leading integrated, multi-channel campaigns across digital, experiential, social, and traditional media.
- Strong conceptual and strategic thinker with a demonstrated ability to develop big, unconventional ideas that connect insight, brand purpose, and cultural relevance.
- Experienced creative leader who inspires, mentors, and develops talent across disciplines—able to set a creative vision, uphold standards, and nurture a collaborative, inclusive team culture.
- Exceptional storytelling and presentation skills, with confidence translating complex thinking into simple, powerful narratives for clients and internal teams alike.
- Proven track record of delivering world-class creative work from concept through execution, balancing bold creative ambition with operational and financial discipline.
- Production expertise across diverse mediums, with a deep understanding of how to bring ideas to life efficiently, within scope, and with craft excellence.
- Strong client partnership and influence, with the ability to build trust, manage senior stakeholders, and shape creative strategy at the executive level.
- Financial and operational acumen, experienced in scoping, budgeting, and resource planning to ensure sustainable delivery and profitability across projects.
- Curious, adaptable, and culturally attuned, staying ahead of emerging trends, technologies, and creative approaches to continuously elevate the work.
PERKS & BENEFITS THAT SET US APART
We don’t just talk about balance, growth, and culture, we build for it:
- Work-Life Flexibility: Hybrid setup, up to 28 paid days off, and winter holiday shutdown.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Health, dental, and vision plans, plus Salt Bucks to spend on what matters to you—wellness, RRSPs, or extra time off.
- Growth-Driven Culture: Dedicated Salt Days, top-tier learning access, and formal leadership development.
- Celebration-First Mentality: Legendary team trips, seasonal socials, and Salt Swag that reps your squad.
- Real Rewards: Referral and new business bonuses, exclusive lifestyle perks, and personalized wellness options.
- Culture of Belonging: DEI programs, active ERGs, and a workplace where every voice counts.
WHAT WE STAND FOR
- Salt of the Earth: We lead with humility, honesty, and heart—always.
- Do What’s Right: No shortcuts. We choose integrity over ease, every time.
- Earn Your Salt: We roll up our sleeves, chase results, and celebrate the journey.
- Make Things Better: We’re solution-seekers, always pushing for smarter ways forward.
- Seek Different Perspectives: Diversity fuels our thinking. Inclusion drives our impact.
Salt XC is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting and retaining the most qualified employees regardless of race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age or disability.
