Associate Creative Director (Copy)
About this role
Minor in advertising.
Major in mattering.
Academy is a full-service, social-first agency that makes brands matter to the people who matter most to them.
We’re on a mission to connect what brands have to say with what people actually care about through best-in-class strategy, creativity and cultural insight.
Academy is looking for an Associate Creative Director (Copy), either as part of a team or solo and willing to be paired up with an ACD (Art). This job is not easy. But it’s fulfilling, it’s fun, it’s a bootcamp in betterment, and a crash course in what’s possible when smart, capable people come together and make things happen. And we hope you make the best work of your career here.
About the Role
Equal parts sharp wordsmith, strategic storyteller, and creative leader. You have strong instincts for language, narrative, culture, and what makes an idea resonate. You’re an ideas person, and you know how to turn a concept into copy that cuts through the noise—whether that’s a campaign line, a script, a social post, or a long-form narrative.
You’re both a builder and a collaborator. You love great ideas, but you’re equally energized by helping others bring their ideas to life. You challenge the work, push for clarity, and elevate the thinking of everyone around you. You’re comfortable leading brainstorms, presenting ideas to clients, and rolling up your sleeves to write when needed.
You’re tuned into culture and understand how brands participate meaningfully in it. You’re excited by the prospect of creating work that matters and collaborating with brands that want to do the same. While you care deeply about craft, you ultimately believe the best creative work is the work that drives results.
The Associate Creative Director (Copy) works closely with their Art Director counterpart and the Creative Director to shape creative output across projects and clients. You help lead the creative team, mentor writers, and ensure the work meets the agency’s creative standards. You bring a thoughtful, editorial lens to every project—What are we trying to say? Why does it matter? Is it clear? Will it resonate with the audience?
You will lead and contribute to ideation, oversee copy development, and ensure creative concepts are translated into compelling, effective messaging across formats.
This is a senior role at the agency reporting to the Creative Director, requiring a minimum of 10 years of experience in creative roles, including experience leading projects and mentoring junior creatives.
On a day-to-day basis, the Associate Creative Director — Copy will be responsible for:Leading copy development across campaigns, social content, brand initiatives, and production projects.
Partnering with Art Directors, Designers, Strategists, and Producers to bring creative ideas to life.
Contributing to and facilitating brainstorming sessions and Writer’s Rooms, helping generate strong concepts and shaping them into compelling narratives.
Writing and editing copy across formats including campaign messaging, scripts, brand narratives, digital content, and social media.
Providing thoughtful feedback and guidance to writers and other creatives to elevate the quality of the work.
Collaborating with the Creative Director to ensure creative output meets the agency’s standards and strategic objectives.
Helping build pitch, concept, and production decks for new business and existing clients.
Presenting creative ideas and copy direction to clients with confidence and clarity.
Ensuring consistency in voice, tone, and messaging across all deliverables.
Participating in production processes, including concept development, script writing, casting input, and on-set creative leadership when appropriate.
Working cross-departmentally to translate strategic insights into compelling creative work.
Supporting mentorship and development of junior writers and creatives on the team.
Strong conceptual thinking and exceptional writing ability across formats
A deep understanding of storytelling, messaging frameworks, and brand voice
Strategic thinking and the ability to connect creative ideas to business goals
Strong editorial instincts and attention to detail
Clear communication and presentation skills
Experience collaborating closely with designers, art directors, and producers
Comfort providing constructive feedback and mentoring junior creatives
A strong understanding of social, digital, and integrated campaign work
A team-first mentality and high emotional intelligence
Why Academy
Because you want to make your mark on a high-potential, evolving agency.
Because you want to make work that matters.
Because you believe social-first work can be smart, strategic, and creatively world-class.
Because you want to lead a team that punches above its weight — and has fun doing it.
Salary: $100K - $120K CAD
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Academy is an equal-opportunity employer committed to promoting diversity in the workplace. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic. If you require accommodation at any stage of the hiring process, please reach out to [email protected], and we will gladly do what we can to provide assistance.Company at a glance
Academy is a modern ad agency with a social-first lens.
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