Associate Creative Director _ CPG

Aquent Studios is expanding our design team to support a iconic global consumer goods brand known for household, personal care, and oral health products. This is a long-term, hybrid opportunity based in New York City.

The Associate Creative Director (ACD) is responsible for leading the creative development and execution of packaging and brand design programs for a portfolio of Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brands. Working in partnership with the Creative Director, the ACD transforms strategic business objectives and consumer insights into innovative, commercially successful creative solutions that elevate brands and drive growth.

• Lead the development of strategic creative concepts for new product launches, portfolio extensions, seasonal programs, and brand refreshes.
• Translate consumer insights, marketing strategies, and business objectives into compelling visual solutions.
• Develop multiple creative territories and design approaches that differentiate brands in competitive retail environments.
• Lead brainstorming sessions, concept workshops, and collaborative ideation exercises.
• Present creative concepts and strategic rationale to executive leadership and cross-functional teams.

• Oversee the creative execution of packaging, branding, merchandising, and integrated marketing assets.
• Ensure every project reflects exceptional craftsmanship in typography, layout, color, photography, illustration, and visual storytelling.
• Maintain brand consistency across product portfolios while encouraging innovation.
• Collaborate with production teams to ensure creative integrity through final manufacturing.

• Provide day-to-day creative leadership to designers and production artists.
• Mentor team members through regular feedback, coaching, and professional development.
• Conduct design critiques and encourage collaboration and continuous learning.
• Review work throughout the creative process to ensure quality and strategic alignment.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing creative environment.

• Partner closely with Marketing, Brand Management, Innovation, Consumer Insights, Packaging Engineering, Project Management, Creative Operations, and Production.
• Collaborate with photographers, illustrators, freelancers, agencies, and external partners.
• Build trusted relationships with stakeholders to ensure creative work aligns with business objectives.
• Support the Creative Director in presentations, strategy sessions, and leadership meetings.

• Lead packaging design from concept through production.
• Develop packaging systems that balance creativity, manufacturability, sustainability, and consumer appeal.
• Ensure designs are optimized for shelf impact, usability, and brand recognition.
• Review mockups, proofs, and production samples for quality and accuracy.

• Stay current on design trends, retail environments, consumer behavior, and packaging innovation.
• Identify opportunities to evolve brands through creative thinking and emerging technologies.
• Champion consumer-centered design solutions that strengthen brand equity and drive purchase intent.

• Partner with Project Management and Creative Operations to prioritize creative work and allocate resources.
• Balance multiple concurrent projects while maintaining high creative standards.
• Support project planning, scheduling, and creative workload management.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with business objectives.

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Packaging Design, Visual Communications, Fine Arts, or a related discipline.
• 8–12+ years of creative experience, with significant expertise in CPG packaging and brand design a must have
• Demonstrated experience leading creative teams and mentoring designers.
• Proven success developing innovative packaging for retail brands.
• Strong portfolio showcasing strategic thinking, conceptual development, and exceptional execution.
• Experience presenting creative work to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.

• Exceptional concept development and visual storytelling abilities.
• Strong understanding of branding, consumer behavior, retail environments, and packaging strategy.
• Ability to translate business objectives into innovative creative solutions.
• Expertise in…