Chicago - Associate Director, Creative Services and Brand

Please submit a portfolio in addition to your resume when applying for this position.

ABOUT US

For Business Professionals, Winston & Strawn presents an exciting opportunity to be a part of a leading global law firm. With our commitment to excellence, diversity, a collaborative work environment, and an emphasis on professional growth, Winston offers a platform for individuals seeking to advance their careers in a dynamic and rewarding environment. Winston is known for its collaborative and collegial culture. We believe teamwork is an essential component in providing high-quality legal services and we value the talents and skills of our entire business professional team.

POSITION SUMMARY

As Associate Director of Creative Services and Brand, you will lead the development and execution of Winston's visual identity and creative strategy. Working across digital, print, video, and experiential platforms, you'll guide how the firm expresses its story and market position through design and brand consistency.

You will manage and mentor a multidisciplinary creative team, partner with senior leaders across the firm, and ensure that all creative work aligns with Winston's strategic objectives, tone, and position in the marketplace. The ideal candidate combines creative vision with operational acumen-a hands-on leader who can move seamlessly between concept, strategy, and execution.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the evolution of Winston's visual identity, ensuring the brand remains consistent, contemporary, and aligned with firm strategy.
• Translate complex ideas into clear, compelling design solutions across all platforms and media.
• Oversee brand governance, developing and maintaining design systems, templates, and usage standards that scale across the firm.
• Partner with senior leadership on brand initiatives, thought-leadership campaigns, and high-profile events.
• Manage, mentor, and inspire a multidisciplinary creative team, including designers, videographers, photographers, and editors.
• Measure creative performance and adapt strategy to support evolving firm goals.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and growth-oriented team culture.
• Identify opportunities for skill development, process improvement, and innovation within the creative function.
• Oversee the lifecycle of creative projects, from concept through production and delivery.
• Balance multiple priorities and stakeholders while maintaining quality, timelines, and brand integrity.
• Manage creative budgets, vendor relationships, and external agencies as needed.
• Partner with business development, communications, recruiting, and practice leadership to ensure creative work supports firm goals.
• Act as an internal consultant and thought partner, providing strategic and creative guidance for key initiatives and client pursuits.
• Contribute to firmwide campaigns, pitch materials, and digital content strategies that elevate Winston's market presence.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Marketing, Communications, or related field required.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in brand management, creative direction, or design leadership, including at least 3 years in a managerial capacity required.
• Must live within a commutable distance to the firm office with the ability to come into the office 3-4 days per week.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and familiarity with Figma or similar tools.
• Strong understanding of brand systems, design processes, and cross-platform creative production.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and manage external vendors or agencies.
• Excellent project management skills: able to juggle multiple priorities, deadlines and stakeholders.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with experience working with senior leadership and clients.
• Leadership experience: supervising or mentoring staff, driving process improvements, proposing new ideas for client-engagement through events.
• Experience within a law firm or other professional services or regulated industry.
• Proven success leading brand refresh or rebrand initiatives at scale.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with attorneys, business professionals, and senior leadership.

COMPETENCIES

• Operational Resilience & Adaptability: Thrives under pressure, adjusts to shifting requirements, maintains quality while handling multiple projects and deadlines.
• Change Agility: Thrives in dynamic environments, embracing new challenges as opportunities for growth. Effectively navigates organizational transformations, inspiring and empowering others to adapt and succeed.
• Functional Expertise: Applies deep expertise in functional area and leverages knowledge to lead team to deliver high-quality results aligned with the strategic priorities of the department and/or firm. Stays current with industry trends and welcomes opportunities for innovation that positively impact team performance.
• Operational Excellence: Manages team performance and resources to achieve optimal results. Improves efficiency, identifies and leads process improvement efforts, and designs solutions aligned with departmental and firm goals and objectives.
• Problem Solving & Judgment: Uses excellent judgement and critical thinking skills to anticipate and address challenges affecting the team and/or department. Makes thoughtful and impactful decisions that drive high-impact results for the department and the firm.
• Communication & Collaboration: Communicates clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing, tailoring accordingly based on audience. Maintains positive relationships within and across departments, engages in active listening, instills trust, and prioritizes inclusivity, promoting effective team and cross-functional collaboration.
• People Management & Engagement: Sets direction, provides guidance, and promotes teamwork to ensure team and departmental goals are met. Models' accountability, fosters inclusion, and resolves performance issues and conflicts accordingly. Provides team members with feedback, coaching, mentoring, and opportunities for skill development and growth.