Associate Creative Director (Remote, US-only)

Note: If you're applying, shoot me a personal note with your portfolio at [email protected]

About Optum

Optum is a global company at the unique intersection of fintech & healthcare. We’re on a mission to build a world where everyone can afford to get and stay healthy. The work you do will reach millions of people and improve health outcomes through seamless, delightful experiences that empower individuals to take control of their health and well-being.

About Starship Studio

Starship Studio is Optum’s consumer experience team. We’re launching a new brand and product dedicated to reimagining the future of benefits— from HSAs and FSAs to lifestyle benefits offered by your employer.

Our team is small but mighty. We operate with the speed of a startup and with the backing of a Fortune 5 company. This unique combination allows us to bring big ideas to life quickly and tap Optum’s incredible network to make real impact. If you’re a visionary who’s passionate about making a difference, this is your chance to join a creative, dynamic team that’s improving the health and well-being of millions.

What You’ll Do

We’re looking for an Associate Creative Director who thrives on hands-on design work and brings a visionary approach to directing projects. This role combines strategic thinking with creative execution— someone as comfortable in the weeds of design software as they are in front of a team, setting direction and inspiring the work. If you’re a passionate designer and director who loves to create and lead, this could be the perfect role for you.

Design Execution
• Lead by example, contributing directly to design projects across various media (emails, digital, and print)
• Develop innovative and visually engaging concepts that align with our brand strategy and elevate our creative output

Creative Direction (Design & Writing)
• Set and communicate the visual and verbal direction for the brand and specific campaigns
• Lead a team of designers and writers, providing constructive feedback to push their work to the next level
• Drive brainstorming sessions and workshops to keep creativity flowing, enabling the team to produce breakthrough ideas

Collaboration & Strategy
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Product, Design, and Writing to ensure the creative aligns with broader company goals
• Participate in planning meetings to understand campaign objectives, target audiences, and timelines
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and proactively bring new ideas to the table to keep our brand on the cutting edge

Required Qualifications
• 7+ years of experience in design and creative direction at a creative agency or in-house team
• 5+ years of experience in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma (bonus points for motion design or illustration)
• 5+ years of experience creating presentations and showcasing work to clients and/or leadership teams
• 3+ years of experience in project management, including strong individual and team time management on multiple work-streams
• Portfolio that showcases your eye for good design, writing, and attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications: • Strong understanding of typography, color theory, and layout principles • Demonstrated collaboration in a remote-first environment and enjoy sharing work early and often • Proven comfortability with the ambiguity that comes with working on an early-stage brand • Proven self-starter—there’s always something you want to do, learn, and grow in

Perks of the job:
• Chance to build something beautiful and impactful that reaches millions of users
• Monthly spending money as part of testing our new product
• Foundational role within a growing Creative team led by ex-Apple, Uber, frog, and Red Antler leaders
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Professional development and growth opportunities
• Flexible working hours and remote work options (within U.S.)

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