Job Description

As a Creative Director and the leader of the AKQA Tokyo studio’s Creative department, you will create and inspire work that is distinctive, unfamiliar, effective and truly remarkable to make a difference to consumers’ behavior through ideas, creativity and the use of interactive media. You will inspire and lead a team to raise their bar even higher, mentoring a team, leading by example and championing the discipline in the wider agency and beyond.

Role Requirements

• Deliver and inspire award-winning work from both yourself and others who work with you, influencing where appropriate a dramatic change through ideas, creativity and the use of interactive media.
• Lead, direct and manage cross-disciplinary and culturally diverse set of talents, both internal and external to AKQA to deliver successful solutions and high-quality works to clients on time.
• Create ground-breaking work that positively impacts our clients, our teams and the world.
• Foster and line-manage creatives that are eager to grow their craft in art direction, copywriting or design.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Learn new skills and stay abreast of technical and digital design developments, and successfully apply them to work practices to help improve processes and procedures.
• Act as the creative representative of the Tokyo studio within and outside AKQA network, in Japanese and in English. Work with other AKQA network creatives collaboratively on joint initiatives.
• Work closely with the strategy teams to shape briefs that empower our teams to deliver work that pushes our client's brand to the forefront of their global audience's minds

Key Responsibilities

• Creative briefs
  • Contributes to strategic development of a well-defined creative brief and any additional briefing documents, speaking with the client directly when necessary. Listens to and responds to a brief, understanding where/if there are gaps. Knows what questions to ask during the briefing session in order to act upon it. Understands how to respond to a brief.

• Idea generation
  • Leads by example to consistently inspire creative colleagues to originate world- class, pioneering ideas that conceptualize world-class solutions. Generates useful, usable ideas across all existing and emerging digital platforms. Continually develops practices and processes to inspire, innovate and harness new ways of thinking.

• ◊ New business development
  • Creatively leads new business pitches. Responsible for crisp ideas and creative workflow; effective and dynamic storyteller for oral pitch presentation in both Japanese & English.

• Creative craft skills
  • Selects most appropriate supplier for required task. Successfully leads multiple suppliers, partners and clients to ensure outsourced projects are creatively delivered on time, within budget and to the highest standards. Helps to ensure AKQA continues to create unique and inspirational solutions.

• Team management
  • Manages creatives as direct reports. Provides an international and supportive working environment, based on openness, trust and regular constructive feedback on performance. Sets clear and achievable goals. Takes immediate action to address performance/conduct issues. Assesses a broad range of tasks and determines which team member should manage to ensure delivery to the highest standard. Is an ambassador for AKQA and its values at all times.
  • Demonstrates creative success in leading collaborative multidisciplinary teams, including project planning, to winning a number of industry recognized awards.

• Stakeholder management
  • Successfully manages multiple suppliers, partners and customers to ensure the best outcome for both customer and AKQA. Keeps stakeholders informed of project progress at all times and manages expectations proactively.

• Client Leadership
  • Understand client business goals and ambitions. Takes briefs from clients and successfully creates stories that communicate client’s needs and ambitions to the consumers.

AKQA Competencies

• Innovation

Seen as a transformational leader in the industry who is capable of driving change throughout an organization. Is able to articulate a compelling business case and can galvanize the team to action in face of change. Creates an environment that challenges traditional thinking, status quo, Japanese industry norms and ensures the company stays far ahead of competition and clients.

• Service

Able to deftly manage most senior client expectations, particularly those that conflict with the company’s recommendations, and can drive successful outcomes while maintaining (or even growing) the relationship. Develops strategies to build a climate of trust, openness and respect; forges strong relationships to drive successful outcomes.

• Quality

Has the ability to set the tone for the team and believes that without the greatest work, nothing else matters. Possesses a strong bias to action and is able to consistently deliver high quality work within required timeframes. Possesses a strong bias to action and is energized by challenges; is a visible champion of excellence and perfect delivery. Is upbeat and committed to their working life and makes a positive contribution to team morale.

• Thought

Develops long-term strategic partnerships that support business growth and financial success; aligns own and team objectives with overall business objectives. Identified as a leader of insight-driven recommendations to clients; possesses general business savvy and expertise in the industry. Possesses highly advanced writing skills to effectively present a point of view, using logic, fact and a compelling storyline via any medium. Commands the attention of the audience and can manage group dynamics during presentations to effectively engage audiences, counter objections and sell recommendations.

Please submit your resume and portfolio (PDF or website link) when applying.

We believe great work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach including required in-office days. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.