Executive Creative Director

Pinkston is an integrated communications agency built on one belief: great stories change the world. From global thought leaders and high-growth innovators to faith-based organizations, public affairs coalitions, and federal partners, we help clients articulate who they are, what they stand for, and why it matters. Our integrated model brings together public relations & communications, brand strategy, creative development, paid/digital media, web design, content production, and data-driven storytelling to deliver clarity, creativity, and impact.

Our Creative & Content Delivery team is at the center of that mission, responsible for translating strategy into compelling ideas, campaigns, and experiences across every touchpoint. We are seeking a leader who can steward that creative engine and level up its influence across the entire agency.

Position Summary

The Executive Creative Director (ECD) is the senior-most creative leader at Pinkston, responsible for setting the creative vision, elevating the quality and consistency of work across all service lines, and shaping the next evolution of our integrated creative practice. You will unite brand strategy, content development, design, digital, and production teams into a cohesive creative force that drives measurable impact for clients across corporate, nonprofit, federal, and faith-based sectors.

This role blends visionary leadership, strategic client direction, and hands‑on creative excellence, ensuring Pinkston delivers breakthrough ideas that reflect our values, advance client missions, and reinforce our reputation as a trusted, insight‑driven partner.

Additional Details:

• Status:
  Exempt‑Salaried
• Location:
  
  Falls Church, VA
• Travel: 0‑10%
• Department:
  Creative & Content Delivery
• Reports To:
  
  President, Chief Brand Officer

1. Strategic Creative Leadership

• Define and champion Pinkston’s overarching creative vision by aligning it with agency strategy, market trends, and Pinkston’s differentiators in earned‑first storytelling, reputation‑building, and integrated content delivery.
• Develop insight‑driven creative platforms that integrate brand strategy, messaging architecture, PR narratives, performance media, social strategy, content ecosystems, and digital experiences.
• Translate client goals into multi‑channel creative strategies that are grounded in real‑world business, communications, and public affairs outcomes.
• Guide cross‑functional teammates in shaping campaign concepts, scripts, brand systems, web experiences, digital content, and thought‑leadership assets.
• Serve as the senior creative thought partner to the President, CBO, and account leadership teams and help shape offerings, pricing models, creative processes, and long‑term agency capabilities.

2. Strategic Client Leadership

• Act as the senior creative lead for enterprise clients across faith‑based organizations, nonprofits, public affairs, and federal government contractors.
• Build trusted advisor relationships with C‑suite leaders, coalition leads, government program managers, and ministry leaders by translating complex challenges into clear, compelling, creative solutions.
• Lead major ideation sessions, campaign planning workshops, and brand discovery engagements.
• Represent Pinkston’s creative point of view in new business pitches, thought leadership, and large‑scale strategic initiatives.
• Ensure that creative recommendations align with the nuances of regulated environments, federal communication guidelines, and faith‑based sensitivities.
• Evaluate client briefs through the lens of impact, clarity, feasibility, budget alignment, and cross‑team execution, pushing for boldness without sacrificing discipline.

3. Creative Oversight & Vision

• Oversee the development of all major creative deliverables which include brand identities, messaging frameworks, integrated campaigns, motion/film content, high‑stakes presentations, website experiences, social content ecosystems, and complex government communication materials.
• Push creative teams toward higher originality, conceptual strength, and cross‑platform cohesion while maintaining Pinkston’s commitment to clarity, truth, and mission alignment.
• Review, refine,…