Associate Director of Content - Chicago - Blue Wheel Media

Description

Your Role

As the Associate Director of Content, you will own and elevate the agency's creative production capabilities across our portfolio of clients. Operating as a strategic and operational lead for content development, you will oversee both in‑house initiatives and external vendor‑driven production, ensuring all creative outputs align with client goals, brand standards, and eCommerce/performance expectations.

In this role, you will be responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and managing creative vendors, including production teams, directors, editors, and specialized content creators to deliver high‑quality content across a range of formats. You will lead the end‑to‑end production process, from early concepting and script development through pre‑production planning, sourcing, on‑set execution, and final delivery. This includes supporting the development of creative strategies, providing counsel and direction throughout production, and ensuring all deliverables reflect best‑in‑class storytelling and performance principles and applications (e.g. Amazon, DTC, Organic Social etc.). This also includes reviewing and the quality‑control of post‑production assets to make sure they are of high quality and achieve marketing strategies or client KPI goals.

You will also contribute hands‑on, including drafting creative briefs, scripts, story boards, shot lists, and guiding the creative approach to ensure it aligns with broader marketing objectives. Additionally, you may oversee lifestyle and product‑focused shoots as needed, ensuring they are executed efficiently, creatively, and in alignment with brand guidelines and eCommerce best practices. In this role you will communicate with multiple internal teams, as well as being the point person for client updates and communication. You will also be required to update project tracking documents, projects within our project management tools, and keep projects on time and on budget.

Success in this role requires exceptional project management skills, creative judgment, an understanding of performance‑driven content, and the ability to collaborate seamlessly with cross‑functional teams. As a leader and partner, you will ensure all creative production is executed with quality, clarity, and strategic intent, driving meaningful impact for our clients. We foster a roll‑up‑your‑sleeves culture. The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and is comfortable taking on both high‑level initiative and occasional hands‑on production tasks to keep projects moving efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead creative production initiatives, managing relationships with production partners, content creators, and vendors to ensure seamless execution across all deliverables.
• Source, evaluate, and onboard creative vendors and production teams, building a reliable and scalable bench of partners specializing in video, photography, editing, motion graphics and performance‑driven creative.
• Oversee the full production lifecycle from ideation and script development to pre‑production planning, on‑set management, post‑production coordination, and final delivery, ensuring all outputs meet client objectives and agency standards.
• Represent the voice of the client, consumer, and brand, ensuring creative concepts and executions align with strategic goals, resonate with target audiences, and reflect performance and platform best practices.
• Oversee the post‑production work of projects through QC, client feedback to final deliverables.
• Lead the development of creative strategies in partnership with internal teams, translating data into compelling creative concepts, narratives, and deliverable plans.
• Provide expert counsel, guidance, and quality oversight throughout production, ensuring all creative outputs maintain a high bar for storytelling, clarity, craftsmanship, and performance optimization.
• Draft and refine scripts, outlines, and creative treatments for UGC ads, direct‑response content, conceptual videos, lifestyle shoots, organic social content and performance‑oriented creative assets.
• Manage project scopes, timelines, budgets, and resources, ensuring production schedules run smoothly, deliverables are met on time, and vendor output aligns with expectations and financial parameters.
• Oversee lifestyle, product, and studio shoots as needed, ensuring creative direction is clear, execution is efficient, and final assets meet brand and platform requirements.
• Help drive creative innovation by exploring emerging tools, technologies, and production methodologies, evaluating their applicability for client needs and agency capabilities.
• Proactively identify, vet, and build relationships with new creative partners, studios, and production resources, expanding the agency's network of high‑performing vendors and specialists.
• Maintain a strong, active network of top‑tier creators, producers, and production partners, ensuring the agency has access to cutting‑edge expertise and talent.
• Collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams (media, strategy, analytics, project management, creative) to ensure all creative aligns with campaign goals and integrates seamlessly into broader marketing initiatives.
• Support new business, client onboarding, and organic growth initiatives by contributing creative concepts, production recommendations, and vendor insights as needed.

Desired Skills & Experience

• 8–10+ years of experience in creative production, content development, or related creative leadership roles, preferably within an agency, studio, or performance‑focused environment.
• Proven experience managing end‑to‑end production workflows, including vendor sourcing, pre‑production planning, on‑set execution, and post‑production delivery across video, photography, and performance creative formats.
• 5+ years of direct experience overseeing external creative partners, such as production houses, directors, editors, photographers, and specialized content creators.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strong POVs and creative strategies, integrating data and platform best practices into compelling content concepts and deliverables.
• Hands‑on experience writing scripts, treatments, or narrative outlines, especially direct‑response ads, social‑first creative, or video storytelling.
• Knowledge of key performance metrics, KPIs, ROAS, CTR, CRV, Thumbstop, and how to adapt those learnings into creative solutions.
• Strong project management and operational skills, with the ability to manage multiple productions, timelines, budgets, and vendor relationships simultaneously.
• Experience in performance marketing, eCommerce or performance‑oriented creative (e.g. UGC ads, DTC campaigns, Amazon/platform‑native content) and understanding of how creative drives measurable outcomes.
• Deep familiarity with production tools, technologies, and emerging creative platforms, with a demonstrated track record of pushing innovation through testing, adoption, and integration of new methodologies.
• Some network of creative vendors, production partners, freelancers, and specialists, with the ability to identify, vet, and nurture high‑performing relationships.
• Strong leadership and team collaboration abilities, capable of guiding cross‑functional partners and influencing without direct authority.
• Exceptional presentation and communication skills, with the ability to articulate creative rationale, provide strategic counsel, and lead discussions with senior stakeholders.
• High creative judgment, attention to detail, and a strong sense of brand, ensuring the final product meets or exceeds expectations.
• Experience navigating fast‑paced, high‑output environments, with the ability to remain flexible, organized, and decisive under pressure.
• BA/BS/BFA in Film, Art, Media Production, Creative Advertising, Communications, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience).

Bonus Skills

• Experience with consumer brands, including lifestyle, CPG, beauty, skincare, fashion, or home categories, is strongly preferred.
• Experience using AI platforms and creating prompts (ChatGPT) preferred.
• Experience with creative generative AI, experimentation, or curiosity in this area a plus.
• Experience in Review platforms , Canva) and project management software (Asana) a plus.