Temporary Associate Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Temporary Associate Design Director Company: Edelman Location: Chicago, IL, United States Job Type: PART_TIME Category: Design & Creative Operations Date Posted: February 11, 2026 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive social-first, digitally-led creative development for a global technology client, ensuring alignment with brand strategy and audience engagement.
• Lead the conceptualization and execution of innovative design solutions across digital, social, and integrated platforms, maintaining high standards of quality and brand integrity.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior designers, fostering a culture of design excellence, conceptual thinking, and continuous professional development.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Account Service, Strategy, and other creative disciplines to deliver compelling and cohesive campaign executions.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends in design, technology, and culture, particularly within the technology sector, to inform and inspire creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Associate Design Director," the provided description and responsibilities suggest a senior individual contributor role with leadership and mentorship aspects, rather than a direct management position. The emphasis on "hands-on collaboration" and "delivering high-quality, social-first design work" points to a role that is deeply involved in the creative execution. The "Temporary" nature indicates a project-based engagement, likely requiring adaptability and a focus on delivering specific campaign outcomes within a defined timeframe. This role would likely fall under a broader Marketing Operations or Creative Operations umbrella within a large agency like Edelman, focusing on the strategic and execution aspects of campaign design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the creative development of social-first and digital design assets, ensuring they meet client brand standards and strategic campaign objectives.
• Manage the end-to-end design process for assigned projects, from initial concept generation through final execution, articulating clear design rationale and creative direction.
• Offer expert guidance and mentorship to a team of designers, nurturing their conceptual abilities and promoting design best practices to achieve creative excellence.
• Innovate and develop cutting-edge design solutions tailored for digital channels, social media platforms, and integrated marketing campaigns.
• Continuously research and integrate current design, cultural, and industry trends, with a specific focus on the technology and digital ecosystems, into creative strategies.
• Foster strong partnerships with Account Service, Strategy, and other creative teams to collaboratively develop and effectively present creative solutions to clients.
• Apply a deep understanding of client business goals, target audience insights, and established brand frameworks to inform all design decisions and creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed are typical for a senior design role within an agency setting, focusing on both strategic creative direction and hands-on execution. For a role within Edelman, a global communications firm, the emphasis on "social-first" and "digitally driven design" is particularly relevant, as these are key components of modern PR and marketing campaigns. The connection to "complex brands" and "translating strategy into compelling creative" highlights the need for strong strategic thinking alongside design skills, common in GTM (Go-To-Market) operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Fine Arts, Advertising, Graphic Design, or a closely related field. Experience: Minimum of six (6) years of relevant design experience, with a minimum of three (3) years specifically within an agency environment.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to deliver high-quality, social-first design work that aligns with brand standards and strategic objectives.
• Demonstrated experience leading creative projects from concept to execution, providing clear design rationale and creative direction.
• Strong experience in providing mentorship and guidance to junior designers, supporting conceptual thinking and design excellence.
• Expertise in developing innovative design solutions across digital, social, and integrated platforms.
• Up-to-date knowledge of current design, cultural, and industry trends, particularly within technology and digital ecosystems.
• Proven ability to partner effectively with Account Service, Strategy, and other creative disciplines to develop and present solutions.
• Strong understanding and application of client business goals, audience insights, and brand frameworks.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator).
• Strong foundation in graphic design principles, including layout, composition, and typography.
• Highly collaborative, organized, and detail-oriented leadership style.
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, meet tight deadlines, and maintain exceptional design quality.

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in presentation software such as Keynote, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience designing within established brand systems and guidelines.
• Awareness of emerging technologies and trends relevant to digital and social design.
• Demonstrated interest in professional growth and actively mentoring junior team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 6+ years, with 3+ in an agency, positions this role as a senior contributor, likely aligning with an "Associate Director" title in many organizations. The emphasis on "social-first," "digital design," and "integrated platforms" is crucial for GTM roles, as these skills directly impact campaign effectiveness and brand reach. The "Temporary" nature suggests the need for candidates who can quickly adapt and contribute without extensive onboarding, prioritizing immediate impact and execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong track record of social-first and digital design work, demonstrating impact and strategic thinking.
• Examples of leading creative projects from concept through execution, clearly articulating the strategic rationale and design decisions made.
• Demonstrations of how you have mentored junior designers, including examples of their improved conceptual thinking or design execution.
• Case studies highlighting innovative design solutions developed for digital, social, and integrated platforms, with clear articulation of the problem, solution, and outcome.
• Evidence of staying current with design, cultural, and industry trends, particularly within technology and digital ecosystems, and how these insights influenced creative output.
• Examples of successful collaboration with cross-functional teams (Strategy, Account Service) to develop and present creative solutions.
• Demonstrations of how you have applied client business goals, audience insights, and brand frameworks to inform design strategies.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase of how you approach the design process, from brief interpretation to final asset delivery, emphasizing efficiency and quality control.
• Documentation of your conceptualization process, including brainstorming techniques and how you translate strategic objectives into visual concepts.
• Examples of how you manage multiple projects simultaneously, detailing your organizational methods and time management strategies to ensure timely delivery.
• Evidence of how you integrate feedback from various stakeholders (clients, account teams, strategists) into the design process while maintaining creative integrity.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a design role within a GTM context, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but also strategic thinking, understanding of audience engagement, and the ability to translate business objectives into creative assets. The "social-first" and "digital design" focus means showcasing work that performs well on these specific channels. The temporary nature of the role implies that the portfolio should quickly communicate the candidate's capabilities and immediate value.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary range for this Temporary Associate Design Director position is estimated to be between $70,000 - $100,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. This range is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in Chicago, IL, considering the required experience level (6+ years) and agency context.

Benefits:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 401K plan
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Travel Assistance
• Wellness Programming

Working Hours: This is a PART_TIME position. The exact number of hours per week will be determined based on project needs and client requirements, but the role is expected to require a significant commitment, potentially up to 40 hours per week during peak project periods, with flexibility for project-based work.

📝 Enhancement Note: As this is a temporary, part-time role, the salary range provided is an estimate based on typical agency rates for Associate Design Director positions in a major market like Chicago. The actual compensation would depend on the specific duration of the contract, the intensity of the workload, and the candidate's negotiation. The benefits listed are standard for Edelman, but for a temporary role, access to some benefits might be prorated or differ from full-time employees. The "PART_TIME" designation is crucial and implies a need for clarification on expected weekly hours and commitment duration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Public Relations & Communications, Marketing Services. Edelman is a leading global communications firm, renowned for its expertise in PR, marketing, and brand building. Company Size: Edelman is a large, global organization with thousands of employees worldwide. This means access to extensive resources, diverse talent, and a wide array of client opportunities. Founded: 1952. With a long history, Edelman has established a strong reputation and deep industry knowledge, fostering a culture of experience and innovation.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the "Assembly" division of Edelman, which focuses on social-first, digitally driven design. This suggests a specialized creative unit.
• The Associate Design Director will likely report to a Creative Director or a senior member of the Assembly leadership team.
• Collaboration is expected with Account Service, Strategy, and other creative disciplines, indicating a highly integrated, cross-functional team environment typical of large agency operations.

Methodology:

• Edelman's approach emphasizes data-driven insights and strategic thinking to inform creative execution, particularly in digital and social channels.
• The Assembly unit likely employs agile methodologies for rapid creative development and iteration, essential for fast-moving technology clients.
• A strong focus on understanding audience behavior and cultural trends to create impactful and resonant campaigns.

Company Website: https://www.edelman.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Edelman's position as a global communications firm is key. The "Assembly" division highlights a specialized creative hub within the larger organization, focusing on contemporary digital and social strategies. This context is important for a design role, as it implies working with clients who are at the forefront of technology and require innovative, fast-paced creative solutions. The emphasis on "equitable and inspiring workplace," "respectful of all," and "fostering trust, collaboration and belonging" from the initial disclaimer indicates a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), which is a significant cultural aspect for potential employees.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an "Associate Design Director," typically indicating a senior level of individual contribution with leadership and mentorship responsibilities. It serves as a stepping stone towards a full Creative Director role, focusing on developing expertise in specific creative domains like social-first digital design. Reporting Structure: The Associate Design Director will report to a Creative Director or a senior creative lead within the Assembly unit. They will also lead and mentor junior designers, creating a direct reporting relationship for guidance and feedback. Operations Impact: This role directly impacts the client's brand perception and market engagement through high-quality creative output. Success contributes to campaign effectiveness, client satisfaction, and the agency's reputation for innovative digital and social design.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in social-first design, digital strategy, and emerging technologies through hands-on project work and collaboration with industry leaders.
• Leadership Development: Gain experience in mentoring junior talent, providing creative direction, and contributing to strategic creative planning.
• Portfolio Enhancement: Build a robust portfolio with work for a global technology client, showcasing high-impact campaigns and innovative design solutions.
• Network Expansion: Collaborate with a diverse team of professionals across Edelman, expanding professional network and understanding of integrated communications.
• Potential for Future Engagements: Successful performance in this temporary role could lead to opportunities for longer-term contracts or full-time positions within Edelman's creative departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a temporary role, "growth" is often measured by skill acquisition, portfolio enhancement, and networking. This role offers a chance to work on high-profile projects with a global technology client, which can significantly elevate a designer's profile and future career prospects. The mentorship aspect also provides leadership experience, valuable for anyone aspiring to higher creative roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role. Edelman likely offers a modern, collaborative office environment designed to foster creativity and teamwork, typical of leading creative agencies. Office Location(s): Chicago, IL, United States. This location offers access to a vibrant creative community and resources. Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be dynamic and fast-paced, especially given the focus on a global technology client and social-first design.
• Collaboration will be a key aspect, with opportunities to work closely with designers, strategists, and account managers in shared creative spaces.
• Access to relevant design tools and technologies will be provided to facilitate high-quality creative output.
• The environment will likely encourage open communication and feedback, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in design.

Work Schedule: This is a PART_TIME position. While the exact hours will vary based on project demands, candidates should anticipate a need for dedication and potential for extended hours during critical project phases to meet deadlines. The flexibility inherent in a part-time role should be discussed to understand expectations regarding weekly hour commitments and scheduling.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" nature of the role implies a need for physical presence in the Chicago office. For a creative role, this usually means access to collaborative spaces, brainstorming areas, and potentially specialized equipment or software. The "PART_TIME" aspect suggests a need for clear communication on expected work hours and flexibility, which is crucial for candidates balancing multiple commitments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.
• Portfolio Review & Creative Discussion: A deeper dive into your portfolio, focusing on social-first and digital design work, discussing your creative process, strategic thinking, and problem-solving approaches.
• Skills Assessment: Potential for a design challenge or a case study presentation to evaluate your conceptual abilities, design execution, and ability to work within brand guidelines.
• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Discussion with potential team members or hiring managers to assess collaboration style, mentorship capabilities, and cultural alignment with Edelman's values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest projects that best represent your social-first and digital design expertise, with a focus on work relevant to technology clients if possible.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the client's challenge, your strategic approach, your specific role, the creative solution, and the measurable impact or outcome.
• Highlight Process: Showcase your design thinking process, including mood boards, sketches, wireframes, and iterations, to demonstrate how you arrive at your final designs.
• Emphasize Social & Digital: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates your understanding of platform-specific nuances for social media and digital channels.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, include metrics or results that demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., engagement rates, click-through rates, brand lift).

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If a design challenge is given, thoroughly analyze the brief, identify key objectives, target audience, and constraints.
• Strategic Foundation: Before diving into design, outline your strategic approach and rationale.
• Time Management: Allocate your time wisely across research, ideation, design, and presentation.
• Presentation Skills: Prepare to articulate your thought process, design decisions, and the potential impact of your work clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a design role, the portfolio is the primary screening tool. Candidates must ensure it is highly polished, relevant, and clearly communicates their strengths in social-first and digital design. The "Temporary" aspect means the review process might be expedited, so having a readily presentable and impactful portfolio is critical. The emphasis on "leading creative development" and "mentorship" suggests interviewers will probe for leadership potential and collaborative skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator for graphic design, layout, and image manipulation.
• Presentation Software: High-level command of Keynote and PowerPoint for creating compelling client presentations and internal concept reviews.
• Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in Word, Excel, and Outlook for general business operations, documentation, and communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a primary tool for this role, an understanding of how design impacts analytics and reporting metrics (e.g., engagement rates, conversion rates for digital ads) is beneficial. Familiarity with social media analytics dashboards is a plus.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design-focused role, but an understanding of how design assets integrate into marketing automation platforms or CRM workflows might be advantageous for broader GTM context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable for a design role. The inclusion of Keynote and PowerPoint highlights the agency environment's emphasis on presentation and client communication. While direct analytics tools aren't listed, an awareness of how design influences performance metrics is crucial for GTM-aligned creative roles.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Respect and Belonging: Edelman emphasizes creating an equitable and inspiring workplace that is respectful of all, fostering trust, collaboration, and belonging.
• Excellence: A commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative design work that meets and exceeds client expectations.
• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork and cross-functional partnerships to achieve shared goals.
• Innovation: Encouraging new ideas and pushing creative boundaries, especially in digital and social media.
• Client Focus: Dedication to understanding and serving client needs with strategic and impactful creative solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect to work closely with Strategy, Account Service, and other creative teams, requiring strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Feedback Culture: A willingness to give and receive constructive feedback is essential for iterative design processes and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge Sharing: Edelman likely promotes an environment where best practices and insights are shared across teams to elevate the collective expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: Edelman's stated commitment to DEI ("equitable and inspiring workplace," "respectful of all," "fostering trust, collaboration and belonging") is a significant cultural indicator. This means candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their ability to work in diverse teams and contribute to an inclusive environment. The emphasis on collaboration is critical for agency roles, where synergy across departments drives successful client outcomes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Fast-Paced Environment: Working with a global technology client in social-first design demands agility, quick turnaround times, and the ability to adapt to rapidly evolving trends and client needs.
• Brand System Adherence: Balancing creative innovation with strict adherence to established brand systems and guidelines for a large client.
• Stakeholder Management: Effectively incorporating feedback from multiple stakeholders (clients, account teams, strategists) while maintaining design integrity and vision.
• Mentorship Demands: Balancing hands-on design work with the responsibility of mentoring junior designers, ensuring both personal productivity and team development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Cutting-Edge Design: Opportunity to work on innovative social-first and digital campaigns for a leading technology brand, pushing creative boundaries.
• Industry Trend Immersion: Continuous exposure to the latest in digital marketing, social media trends, and technology advancements.
• Mentorship and Leadership: Develop leadership and coaching skills by guiding junior designers.
• Portfolio Building: Significant opportunity to add high-impact, globally recognized work to your portfolio.
• Networking: Build connections within a large, reputable agency network, potentially opening doors for future opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Temporary" nature means the primary challenge will be rapid integration and immediate contribution. The growth opportunities are significant, particularly in terms of portfolio enhancement and gaining experience with a major technology client within a leading agency. This role is an excellent platform for designers looking to gain specialized experience and demonstrate their capabilities in a high-stakes environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Prepare to discuss how you approach translating a client's strategic brief into social-first design concepts. Be ready to walk through a past campaign where you successfully aligned creative with business objectives.
• How do you ensure your designs resonate with specific target audiences on digital and social platforms? Be ready to provide examples from your portfolio.
• Describe your experience mentoring junior designers. What is your approach to providing constructive feedback and fostering creative growth?
• How do you stay current with emerging design, technology, and cultural trends, and how do you integrate these into your creative process?

Company & Culture Questions:

• What do you know about Edelman and the Assembly division? How do you see your skills fitting into our agency culture and client work?
• How do you contribute to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment?
• Describe your ideal collaboration style with account managers, strategists, and other creatives.
• How do you prioritize your workload when managing multiple projects with competing deadlines?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Selectivity is Key: Choose 3-4 of your most relevant and impactful projects that highlight your social-first and digital design capabilities.
• Storytelling: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your strategic approach, your creative solution, and the quantifiable results. Use a narrative structure.
• Process Visualization: Show your process – sketches, mood boards, wireframes, iterations – to demonstrate your thinking.
• Platform Nuance: Be ready to discuss how your designs are optimized for specific social media platforms and digital environments.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your portfolio efficiently, hitting the key points without excessive detail.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview will likely focus heavily on your portfolio and your ability to articulate the strategic thinking behind your designs. Given the temporary nature, expect questions that probe your ability to hit the ground running, your adaptability, and your collaborative skills. Demonstrating an understanding of Edelman's values (DEI, collaboration) will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Edelman careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your strongest social-first and digital design work, ideally with case studies that demonstrate strategic thinking and measurable impact. Tailor any introductory materials to highlight your experience with technology clients if applicable.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 6+ years of design experience, emphasizing your agency background and specific skills in graphic design, digital design, and social media content creation. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on clear storytelling for each project, highlighting your design process, and articulating your strategic rationale. Prepare to discuss your mentorship experience and how you stay current with industry trends.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Edelman's work, particularly the Assembly division, and their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Understand their approach to integrated communications and digital strategy.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.